What 172.403(g) means in plain language
Radioactive Materials (RAM) shipments require specific labeling to ensure safe handling and transport. FMCSR 172.403(g) requires that packages containing radioactive material carry proper labels that clearly identify the hazard. These labels must be affixed in the correct location on the package and remain visible and legible throughout transport.
When you're cited for this violation, it means an inspector found that a RAM package either lacked the required label altogether, or the label was not properly positioned or secured. This isn't about the placard on your vehicle — it's about the marking on the actual package itself. The label is the shipper's responsibility to apply, but as the driver, you're expected to verify it's present and intact before accepting the load.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 172.403(g) citations are extremely rare. We've recorded just 4 all-time citations for this violation, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This code ranks #2480 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
None of the 4 all-time citations resulted in an out-of-service order — giving this violation a 0.0% OOS rate. This contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. The rarity and non-OOS status reflect that inspectors typically catch and resolve labeling issues before they rise to enforcement severity, or shippers and carriers maintain such tight compliance on RAM shipments that violations almost never surface at roadside.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show carriers such as Terracon Consultants Inc (USDOT 177323), NVI LLC (USDOT 1450747), Basin Pump Down Services LLC (USDOT 3065469), and Precision NDT LLC (USDOT 4116914) each with 1 citation. The volume is too low to identify a geographic pattern or meaningful carrier-level trend. Among vehicle makes involved, Ford appeared in 2 of the 4 all-time citations, though sample size is minimal.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Hazardous materials labeling and placarding violations span a wide severity spectrum in our database. General loading and unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC and 177.834(a)) each show citation volumes in the thousands (3,954 and 3,839 respectively) with OOS rates of 99.2% and 97.9% — far stricter enforcement than 172.403(g).
Placard-related violations (177.817(a) and 177.817(e)) also dwarf 172.403(g) in volume, though their OOS outcomes vary: 177.817(a) shows a 75.1% OOS rate, while 177.817(e) — placard deterioration — sits at 5.2%. By contrast, 172.403(g)'s 0.0% OOS rate suggests it's treated as a correctable labeling oversight rather than a transportation safety emergency.
How to avoid it
Pre-load verification:
- Always inspect RAM packages before accepting them. Confirm the radioactive label is present, securely affixed, and fully legible — not torn, faded, or partially covered.
- Check that the label is positioned on the surface that faces outward when the package is loaded, not obscured by straps, tape, or pallet wrapping.
- If a label is missing or damaged, refuse the load and notify the shipper and your dispatcher immediately.
Shipper coordination:
- Confirm with your dispatch that the shipper is certified to label radioactive material. Never accept a RAM shipment from an uncertified source.
- Request a bill of lading or shipping papers that explicitly note the presence of the RAM label. This gives you documentation of shipper compliance.
During transport:
- Periodically check the load, especially after rough road sections, to ensure the label hasn't shifted or been damaged in transit.
- If you notice label deterioration during your trip, document it with a photo and report it to your dispatcher so the next driver or consignee is aware.
Vehicle maintenance:
- Ensure your cargo area is clean and dry before loading. A wet or dirty surface can prevent label adhesion or obscure the label over time.