What 173.24AB2-HMGP means in plain language
FMCSR 173.24AB2-HMGP falls under the hazardous materials regulations and addresses specific compliance requirements for how hazmat shipments must be documented, packaged, or prepared for transport. The regulation focuses on ensuring that hazardous materials meet particular conditions before they leave a facility or are loaded onto a commercial vehicle.
When an inspector cites you for this code, they are saying that a hazardous material in your possession or vehicle did not meet the packaging, documentation, or preparation standards required by federal law. This could involve improper containment, missing paperwork, or failure to follow packaging protocols specific to the type of material being transported.
Unlike some hazmat violations that result in immediate vehicle impound, this particular code does not carry out-of-service eligibility in most enforcement situations. However, a citation still creates a compliance record and can affect your carrier's safety rating over time.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, FMCSR 173.24AB2-HMGP appears remarkably rarely. Our database shows only 2 all-time citations for this code, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This places the code at rank #2651 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
Of the 2 citations on record, neither resulted in an out-of-service placement, giving this code a 0.0% out-of-service rate. For context, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, meaning 173.24AB2-HMGP is cited far less frequently and rarely triggers vehicle removal. This suggests that when inspectors do encounter this violation, they often see it as a documentation or procedural issue rather than an immediate safety hazard requiring vehicle impound.
The rarity of this citation in our data indicates that most drivers and fleets transporting hazmat are complying well with the specific requirements this code addresses.
Who gets cited most
Given the extremely limited citation history for this code, geographic concentration data is not meaningful. Our records show citations associated with carriers FLORENTINO AGUIRRE HERRERA (USDOT 1598657) and SERGIO TADEO RODRIGUEZ MARES (USDOT 3280611), each with 1 citation. Vehicle makes cited include PETERBILT and UNPUBLISHE, also with 1 citation each.
The sparse enforcement record means there are no clear patterns by state, carrier fleet size, or vehicle type that would reliably predict risk. This reinforces that compliance with 173.24AB2-HMGP requirements is achievable and widely practiced across the hazmat transport industry.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Other hazmat-related codes in the same regulatory category show dramatically higher citation frequencies and stricter enforcement. For example:
- 177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading hazmat) carries 3,954 all-time citations with a 99.2% out-of-service rate—meaning nearly every violation results in vehicle impound.
- 177.817(a) (Placarding violation) has 2,274 citations and a 75.1% OOS rate, also reflecting severe enforcement.
- 172.602(c)(1) (Maintenance/accessibility of Emergency Response information) shows 1,464 citations but a 0.0% OOS rate, similar to 173.24AB2-HMGP in that violations are not automatically vehicle-disabling.
The contrast is stark: hazmat loading/unloading and placarding violations are enforced aggressively and frequently trigger impound, while 173.24AB2-HMGP enforcement is sparse and non-punitive by comparison. This suggests the violation involves a more technical or administrative aspect of hazmat compliance rather than a high-hazard operational practice.
How to avoid it
Because citation data for this specific code is limited, the best prevention strategy is to ensure comprehensive hazmat compliance across all dimensions:
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Review your hazmat documentation before every load. Verify that shipping papers, manifests, and package descriptions match the actual material and meet DOT packaging standards. Do this at the shipper's dock before accepting the load.
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Confirm proper packaging and containment. Inspect that hazmat packages are sealed, labeled, and positioned correctly in your vehicle. Check that inner and outer packaging are intact and that any required absorbent materials or cushioning are present.
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Know your cargo classification. Understand what hazard class your shipment falls under and what special handling it requires. Misclassification often triggers multiple violations during inspection.
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Complete pre-trip inspections of hazmat placards and labels. Even though placarding violations are more commonly cited, they often co-occur with packaging and documentation issues. Ensure all placards are visible, undamaged, and correct.
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Ask shippers about any special preparation requirements. If you're unfamiliar with a particular hazmat commodity, contact the shipper or consignee to confirm that the load preparation meets federal requirements before you depart.
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Stay current with hazmat training. HAZMAT endorsement training and refresher courses keep you aware of regulatory changes and best practices that reduce citation risk across the board.
The data shows that hazmat violations overall are taken seriously, but this particular code is seldom cited. Maintaining meticulous documentation and packaging standards will keep you well clear of any citation, not just this one.