FMCSR 173.33A: Cargo Tank General Requirements Q&A

Yes, very likely. Across our inspection records, 173.33A citations result in an out-of-service placement 97.1% of the time. That's far above the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. Of the 35 total citations for this code in our database, 34 vehicles were placed out of service immediately. If you've been cited for cargo tank general requirements violations, assume your truck will not move until corrected.

This is extremely serious by enforcement standards. While 173.33A itself is uncommon (ranked #1735 of 3,036 FMCSR codes), its 97.1% OOS rate puts it in the severe category. Peer violations in the Hazardous Materials category vary widely: loading/unloading violations run 99.2% OOS, but placard damage sits at only 5.2%. The 97.1% rate tells you inspectors treat cargo tank defects as critical safety issues that require immediate correction before road operation.

First: your vehicle is out of service until repairs are made. Immediately locate a certified inspector or technician qualified on cargo tank systems. Our data shows 173.33A often co-occurs with brake tubing defects, coupling issues, lighting problems, and hazmat marking violations—so request a full pre-trip inspection to catch secondary defects. Document all repairs with photos and maintenance records. Once corrected, request a new roadside inspection or certified repair verification before attempting to move the vehicle.

Our dataset does not include CSA point values for individual violation codes. However, because 173.33A carries a 97.1% out-of-service rate, you can expect it to be weighted heavily in your carrier's Hazardous Materials BASIC and Maintenance BASIC categories. Contact your carrier's safety manager or your own CSA record holder (FMCSA Clearinghouse) for the exact point impact. The severity and OOS frequency suggest this will be a significant hit to your safety profile.

Our inspection records show limited geographic concentration. In the last 180 days, Texas accounted for 4 citations with a 100% out-of-service rate. Data for other states is not present in our enforcement snapshot, which indicates 173.33A citations are sparse and scattered. This doesn't mean the violation is low-risk—rather, it suggests most drivers and carriers comply with cargo tank general requirements, and violations are rare enough that they stand out when they occur.

The trend is stable but sporadic. Over the last 12 months, we recorded 11 citations spread across six months: 2 in May 2025, 3 in June 2025, 1 each in September and October 2025, 2 in November 2025, and 2 in February 2026. There's no clear upward or downward pattern—enforcement remains low-volume. However, when violations do occur, the 97.1% OOS rate has remained consistent, indicating regulatory standards for cargo tank integrity have not loosened.

DataQs is FMCSA's online system for contesting roadside inspection records. You can challenge a 173.33A citation if you believe the inspection was conducted improperly, the inspector lacked proper certification, or the defect was misidentified. However, cargo tank violations are equipment-based findings—if the defect genuinely exists, contesting the citation itself is unlikely to succeed. Instead, focus on repairing the tank and requesting a new inspection to clear your record. Consult your carrier's compliance team or a transportation attorney for DataQs strategy.

Our all-time data shows TRANSFAZA SA DE CV (USDOT 3875408) leads with 8 citations for cargo tank general requirements. TRANSPORTES ARLEQUIN SA DE CV (USDOT 1879622) and TRANSPORTES NARI SA DE CV (USDOT 3130107) each have 3 citations. The concentration among hazmat-focused carriers suggests this violation clusters in operations that move specialty cargo. If you drive for a carrier with prior 173.33A history, ensure pre-trip cargo tank inspections are thorough and documented.