Direct answers about 173.25(a) citations: out-of-service rates, enforcement trends, and what happens next based on 13M+ inspection records.
Ranks #1,931 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Failed to meet overpack conditions
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 173.25(a) citations have resulted in zero out-of-service placements. The 0.0% OOS rate for this violation means inspectors cite it as a warning or defect but do not ground your vehicle. Compare this to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%—173.25(a) is significantly less severe in enforcement outcome.
173.25(a) is one of the least cited hazmat violations in its category. Our records show 22 all-time citations, ranking it #1898 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. Related hazmat codes like general loading/unloading violations (177.834A-HMC) have 3,954 citations and a 99.2% OOS rate—far more common and severe. Overpack condition citations are rare; most hazmat enforcement focuses on placarding and loading procedures.
First, document the exact wording and any inspector notes about which overpack conditions were not met. Then: (1) review the shipment's hazardous materials overpack packaging against 49 CFR 173.25(a) requirements; (2) contact your shipper or material handler if the violation involved preparation before pickup; (3) preserve all paperwork for your safety file; (4) if you believe the citation is inaccurate, you may contest it through DataQs within 90 days of the inspection report date.
Yes. Our database shows zero citations in the last 90 days and zero in the last 12 months, despite 22 all-time citations across 13 million inspections. This suggests 173.25(a) violations are very uncommon. When they do occur, they appear scattered across carriers and vehicle types—no single carrier dominates the citation history, indicating this is not a systematic enforcement focus area.
Our records show 173.25(a) citations scattered among hazmat shippers and distributors: Tesla Energy Operations Inc (2 citations), Greenwood Motor Lines Inc (2 citations), and nine other carriers with 1 citation each, including N&M Transfer Co, SCP Distributors, and Pestguard Commercial Services. No single carrier pattern emerges; this violation occurs sporadically rather than as a systemic compliance issue within any one organization.
Yes. DataQs (FMCSA's Record Dispute Resolution system) allows you to challenge inspection findings within 90 days of the report date. For 173.25(a), focus your dispute on objective facts: photos, packaging documentation, shipper specifications, or inspector measurement errors. DataQs works best for documentation and physical evidence disputes. Submit your evidence directly through the FMCSA portal or via your carrier's safety department.
This violation is categorized under Hazardous Materials. While our records do not detail the specific CSA point value, citations in the Hazardous Materials BASIC typically carry higher weight because they pose risk to public safety. Since 173.25(a) is rarely cited (zero in 90 days), it will have minimal aggregate impact on your overall CSA score unless you accumulate multiple violations. Your carrier's safety manager can confirm the exact point assignment.
Citations appear across diverse vehicle makes: International (2), Ford (2), and single citations for Hino, Kenworth, Mack, Stoughton, Toyota, VanRus, Volvo, and Freightliner. No vehicle type shows a pattern of overpack violations. This suggests the issue is tied to the shipment or handler preparation rather than the truck itself.
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.
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