What happens if you get cited for 172.403G (failed to label RAM properly)? Direct answers backed by 13M+ inspection records.
Ranks #2,035 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Failed to label RAM properly
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection database, 172.403G has never resulted in an out-of-service citation—the OOS rate is 0.0%. All 16 citations on record were allowed to continue operation. This contrasts sharply with the 31.4% national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes. That said, the violation itself indicates a hazardous materials handling deficiency that should be corrected immediately to avoid compounding violations at the next inspection.
172.403G is among the least-enforced hazmat violations. Our records show it ranks #2026 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. For context, related placarding and labeling codes show vastly higher enforcement: general loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC) have 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate, and placarding violations (177.817a) have 2,274 citations with 75.1% OOS. The 0.0% OOS rate for 172.403G indicates inspectors treat it as a documentation/labeling error rather than an immediate safety emergency.
First, verify the RAM (radioactive material) label is present and legible on all required package surfaces. Our co-occurrence data shows 172.403G frequently appears with other labeling and category issues: 172.203D6 (2 shared inspections), 172.203D5 (1), and Class 7 label defects (1). Check that your emergency response information is accessible (172.600C appeared in 1 co-inspection). Document the correction with photos, and request re-inspection if the citation was issued during active transport. Do not proceed with additional radioactive shipments until labeling is confirmed compliant.
Enforcement is very light and sporadic. In the last 90 days, we recorded 4 citations; in the last 12 months, 5 total. The monthly trend shows 1 citation in August 2025 and a cluster of 4 in February 2026. This low and unpredictable pattern suggests 172.403G is typically cited only when an inspector encounters an already non-compliant shipment during routine hazmat checks, rather than being a proactive focus area. The rarity makes it lower-urgency than codes with consistent monthly enforcement.
Texas accounts for 4 of the most recent citations (last 180 days), with a 0.0% OOS rate in that state. No other state appears in the top citations list, indicating enforcement is concentrated in Texas. This geographic clustering may reflect the presence of specialized hazmat carriers in that region; our data shows American Piping Inspection Inc (USDOT 1987749) accounts for 7 of the 16 all-time citations, suggesting the violation is tied to specific industries and carrier operations rather than being uniformly distributed.
172.403G covers proper labeling of radioactive material (RAM) packages. You're cited when the required RAM label is missing, illegible, not affixed to the correct surface, or contains incomplete information (e.g., no activity units). The violation is a documentation and packaging compliance issue—it signals the shipment does not meet DOT hazmat marking standards. Because radioactive material requires precise identification for emergency responders, even a minor labeling defect can trigger citation. Correction requires re-labeling and verification before further transport.
Yes, you can contest any roadside inspection citation through the DataQs (Datafiles Quality System) portal operated by FMCSA. Since 172.403G is a labeling deficiency—observable during the inspection and documented by the inspector—your contestation should focus on whether the label was actually present but not noted by the inspector, or whether the label met requirements but was misread. Submit photographic or shipping documentation evidence showing the RAM label was properly affixed and legible at the time of inspection. DataQs review typically takes 30–60 days.
Hazmat violations fall under both driver and carrier safety records in FMCSA's CSA system. The citation will be recorded against your carrier's BASIC scores (particularly in the Hazardous Materials BASIC) and may also appear on your personal driving record if you were directly responsible for the shipment preparation or load verification. The violation does not result in disqualification, but it contributes to carrier safety profiles that can affect insurance rates, customer audits, and regulatory scrutiny. Fleet safety managers should treat this as a training trigger, especially given that American Piping Inspection Inc represents 44% of all citations.
Where 172.403G is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
Other violations commonly found on the same inspection (last 90 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.