Direct answers about 172.516C4 citations: out-of-service rate, what to do next, and how serious this violation is.
Ranks #1,472 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Placard not located at least 3 inches away from advertising that could reduce its effectiveness.
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our inspection records, code 172.516C4 has never resulted in an out-of-service order. Our data shows a 0.0% OOS rate across all 91 all-time citations. This is significantly lower than the national FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, placing this among the lowest-severity hazmat violations. You can continue operating while you correct the placard placement issue.
This violation is among the least severe in the hazmat category. While related codes like 177.817(a)—placarding violations—carry a 75.1% OOS rate and 172.502(a)(1)—general placarding requirements—carry an 18.5% OOS rate, inspection records show 172.516C4 has never triggered an out-of-service inspection. The violation focuses on placard placement relative to advertising, not the presence or legibility of the placard itself, which is why enforcement is less severe.
First, verify the placard location: it must be at least 3 inches away from any advertising that could reduce its effectiveness. Repositioning the placard is typically a straightforward correction. Check your vehicle for related violations, since our data shows common co-occurring violations include brake tubing issues (9 shared inspections), inoperable lamps (5 shared), and slack adjuster defects (4 shared). Document your correction with photos, keep the citation for your records, and report the fix to your carrier's safety team.
Citations are trending upward. Over the last 12 months, we recorded 72 citations, with a spike to 12 citations in March 2026. The 90-day average is 23 citations. March 2026 showed the highest monthly volume, suggesting increased inspector focus on placard placement compliance during that period. This trend indicates you should prioritize correcting any similar violations on your vehicles now.
Texas dominates enforcement for this code. In the last 180 days, Texas accounted for 47 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate. Across the dataset, Texas is the only state explicitly identified in our top-cited jurisdictions. If you operate in Texas, inspect hazmat placards more frequently to ensure compliance with the 3-inch separation requirement.
TRANSPORTES SURTEX SA DE CV (USDOT 3289931) and JULIO CESAR CIENFUEGOS GARZA (USDOT 2389566) each have 8 all-time citations. AKNA TRANSPORTES S DE RL DE CV (USDOT 1856796) follows with 7 citations. If your carrier or a similar operation shares characteristics with these carriers, request a placard audit from your safety manager to identify and correct systematic placement issues before they accumulate into a compliance pattern.
Yes. The DataQs (Databse Quality System) appeal process allows you to challenge roadside inspection records if you believe the citation was issued in error or the finding is inaccurate. For a placement violation like 172.516C4, you can submit evidence—such as photos showing the 3-inch clearance—to support your dispute. Submit your challenge through the FMCSA portal within the designated timeframe. Contact your carrier's compliance team or a FMCSA-registered advocate for assistance with the filing process.
The violation attaches to your driving record and your carrier's safety profile under FMCSA regulations. The citation becomes part of both your personal CSA history and your carrier's hazmat compliance metrics. If you change employers, the violation remains visible to future carriers and safety auditors. Correct it promptly and maintain documentation of the correction to mitigate future compliance concerns.
Where 172.516C4 is most commonly cited (last 180 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.