What 173.312 means in plain language
173.312 addresses specific requirements for hazardous materials transportation. This regulation falls under the Department of Transportation's hazmat framework and applies to carriers and drivers who transport regulated materials. The rule governs how certain hazmat shipments must be handled, documented, or prepared to comply with federal safety standards.
If you've been cited for 173.312, it means an inspector found evidence that your handling or preparation of a hazmat load did not meet the specific requirement outlined in this section. The violation could relate to documentation, packaging preparation, labeling alignment, or other pre-movement compliance steps that must be completed before a hazmat shipment leaves the facility or terminal.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across 13 million inspections in our database, 173.312 is exceptionally rare. We have recorded only 1 citation for this code all-time, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. That single citation did not result in an out-of-service order, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate—well below the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%.
Ranked #2796 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, 173.312 appears almost never in roadside enforcement activity. The rarity of this citation suggests either that compliance is exceptionally high, or that inspector focus and violation frequency are both minimal. Either way, if you have been cited, you are in a very small group.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that MJW TRUCKING (USDOT 3603968) has 1 citation for 173.312 in our all-time database. With only a single citation nationwide, geographic and carrier patterns are not statistically meaningful. No top-state breakdown is available due to the code's extremely low citation volume.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
173.312 sits in the hazardous materials category alongside other hazmat violations, but its enforcement pattern differs sharply from peer codes in the same regulatory family.
General loading and unloading hazmat violations—codes 177.834A-HMC and 177.834(a)—are far more common, with 3,954 and 3,839 citations respectively. Both carry OOS rates above 97%, meaning inspectors place the vast majority of violators out of service. Placarding violations (177.817(a)) see 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate. Even deteriorated-placard violations (177.817(e)) generate 2,038 citations, though at a lower 5.2% OOS rate.
In contrast, 173.312's single citation with a 0.0% OOS rate reflects how infrequently this specific requirement is cited or violated in the field. When enforcement does occur on related 172- and 177-series codes, OOS placement is common; 173.312's lack of OOS action may indicate the violation was minor or documentation-based rather than hazard-posing.
How to avoid it
Because 173.312 is so rarely cited, your best prevention strategy is to follow core hazmat preparation and documentation practices before loading:
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Review your shipper paperwork completely before accepting any hazmat load. Verify that all hazard class labels, proper shipping names, and UN numbers match the shipping papers and the actual cargo. Discrepancies are often caught at roadside and can escalate to 173.312 or similar violations.
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Confirm packaging and container integrity during pre-trip inspection. If you are transporting hazmat that requires specific packaging (e.g., DOT-approved drums, boxes, or cylinders), ensure the package is not damaged, leaking, or improperly sealed before you depart.
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Double-check labeling and marking on all hazmat packages. Labels must be in the correct position, clearly visible, and not obscured. Many 173-series violations stem from labeling errors that occur before the truck is loaded.
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Keep hazmat training current. Your HAZMAT endorsement requires recertification every three years. Staying up-to-date on proper documentation, placarding, and handling reduces the risk of citation for any 173-series code.
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Ask your fleet's hazmat coordinator or shipper if you are uncertain about any aspect of the load before you sign for it. It is far easier to correct a packaging or labeling error at the dock than to argue with an inspector at roadside.