FMCSR 173.24a(b) Citations: What Drivers Need to Know

No. Across our 13 million inspection records, the 0.0% out-of-service rate for 173.24a(b) means this violation does not result in an OOS placement. Of the 1 all-time citation for this code in our database, 0 resulted in out-of-service status. This is significantly below the 31.4% all-FMCSR average OOS rate, making it a non-critical violation from an immediate roadside removal standpoint.

Not in severity tier. While 173.24a(b) sits in the Hazardous Materials category, peer codes show far higher enforcement and OOS rates: general loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC, 177.834(a)) have 99.2% and 97.9% OOS rates respectively with thousands of citations. Placarding violations (177.817 variants) range from 5.2% to 75.1% OOS rates. The 0.0% rate for 173.24a(b) reflects minimal real-world enforcement and lower severity impact.

Immediate steps:

1. Document the citation. Record the specific equipment, date, time, and inspector details from the inspection form.
2. Review the hazmat placard and packaging. Since this code falls under hazmat compliance, verify all materials match their documentation.
3. Contact your carrier's safety manager. Inform them of the citation so it can be logged for CSA tracking.
4. Check for co-occurring citations. Inspect records often include multiple related violations—confirm no additional codes were cited at the same inspection.
5. Consider DataQs contestation. If documentation was accurate and the finding was factual error, you have 90 days from citation to challenge through FMCSA's DataQs portal.

Extremely rare. Our inspection database contains only 1 citation for 173.24a(b) in all-time records, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This ranks #2796 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—placing it in the lowest enforcement tier. The single carrier cited was Victor Escobar Landscape Corp (USDOT 2143317) with 1 citation. This scarcity suggests either very specific regulatory applicability or minimal inspector focus on this particular requirement.

Yes, you can file a DataQs challenge. The FMCSA DataQs system allows drivers and carriers to request review of any inspection finding within 90 days of the citation. Contestability depends on the type of finding: if the citation is based on factual observation (equipment missing, damaged, or improperly marked), it is harder to overturn; if it is based on documentation or paperwork errors, you have stronger grounds if you can provide corrective records. Submit your challenge through the DataQs portal with photos, maintenance logs, or shipping documents as supporting evidence.

Yes, both. FMCSA assigns hazmat violations to two CSA categories: one for driver behavior/safety violations and one for carrier safety management. A citation flows to both your driver record and your motor carrier's operational profile within the SMS (Safety Management System). The impact on CSA points depends on severity weighting and the 30-day point multiplier—violations cited together count toward velocity. Since this code has not generated significant enforcement volume (0 citations in 12 months), consult your carrier's safety department for CSA point estimates based on your specific inspection circumstances.

Low urgency for roadside compliance, but medium urgency for CSA/record purposes. The 0.0% out-of-service rate means you will not be pulled from service, allowing time to correct the issue. However, the hazmat compliance implication means the violation stays on your inspection record and feeds CSA scoring. Given zero citations in the last 90 days in our database, enforcement focus appears minimal; use this window to address the underlying hazmat requirement documented in the citation and prevent future citations on the same code or related peer codes.

Code 173.24a(b) falls under hazardous materials transportation compliance in 49 CFR Part 173. The requirement concerns proper packaging, marking, and documentation of hazardous materials for transport. Violations typically involve missing or incorrect labels, improper container closure, insufficient cushioning material, or documentation mismatches between the shipment and the hazmat manifest. The exact requirement depends on the material class and packaging specification referenced in the regulation—refer to your citation notice for the specific subsection and consult DOT hazmat training resources or your carrier's hazmat coordinator for corrective guidance.