What 177.802-HMHC means in plain language
177.802-HMHC is a hazardous materials regulation that addresses specific compliance requirements for transporting certain hazmat commodities. The regulation falls within the broader framework of Department of Transportation rules governing how hazardous materials must be handled, documented, and transported to protect public safety.
When a driver or carrier is cited for this code, an inspector has determined that there was a deficiency in how hazmat was being transported or prepared for transport. This could involve packaging, labeling, documentation, or other preparatory steps required before a hazmat load leaves the facility.
The key distinction with 177.802-HMHC is that it is a hazmat citation that does not automatically trigger an out-of-service order. This means the citation itself is a violation you must address, but an inspector does not have the discretion to remove your vehicle from service on the spot based solely on this code.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 177.802-HMHC is an uncommon violation. All-time, we have recorded 9 total citations for this code, ranking it #2230 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months, we logged 4 citations, and in the last 90 days, zero citations.
The out-of-service rate for 177.802-HMHC is 0.0%—meaning of the 9 drivers cited all-time, none were placed out of service. This stands in stark contrast to the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. When an inspector cites you for 177.802-HMHC, your vehicle remains in service, assuming no other violations are found.
The rarity of this citation—only 4 in the past year—suggests either that drivers and carriers are generally compliant with this requirement, or that inspectors encounter it infrequently. Either way, if you have received this citation, you are in a small group.
Who gets cited most
Over the last 180 days, citations for 177.802-HMHC have appeared in Connecticut and Montana, with 1 citation each and a 0.0% out-of-service rate in both states.
When we look at all-time data, our inspection records show that Guillermo Eduardo Zavala (USDOT 2897314) has received the most citations for this code, with 3 total. Coastal Carriers of Connecticut LLC (USDOT 1271367) follows with 1 citation. This distribution does not indicate a systemic problem at any single carrier; rather, it reflects the overall low frequency of this violation across the industry.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
To put 177.802-HMHC in context, compare it to other hazmat-related violations that inspectors encounter more frequently:
177.834A-HMC (general loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations in our database with a 99.2% out-of-service rate. 177.834(a) (general loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,839 citations with a 97.9% OOS rate. These are far more serious; nearly every citation results in the vehicle being removed from service immediately.
172.502(a)(1) (placarding general requirements) is more common than 177.802-HMHC, with 1,820 citations and an 18.5% out-of-service rate. 172.516(c)(6) (placard damaged, deteriorated, or obscured) has 1,796 citations but only a 1.6% OOS rate, similar in severity to your code.
Your citation sits in the lower end of hazmat violation severity and frequency. The 0.0% out-of-service rate reflects that this is a compliance or documentation issue rather than an immediate safety threat to the public.
How to avoid it
To prevent future citations for 177.802-HMHC, focus on the preparation phase before your vehicle leaves the shipper or your facility:
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Verify hazmat package integrity before loading. Inspect all hazmat packages for damage, deterioration, or improper sealing before they are placed on your vehicle. Look for leaks, crushed corners, or faded labels that would indicate the package cannot be safely transported.
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Confirm placards are present and readable. Before departing, walk around your vehicle and visually verify that all required hazmat placards are affixed, facing the correct direction, and legible from a distance. A faded or missing placard is a common inspection finding.
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Check your hazmat documentation against the load. Reconcile your shipping papers, bills of lading, and manifests with the actual commodities being transported. Mismatches between paperwork and cargo are a frequent source of violations.
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Know the hazmat class of your load. Understand what you are hauling—explosives, flammable liquids, oxidizers, poisons, or other categories. Each class has specific packing and marking rules. If you are unsure, ask the shipper.
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Inspect your vehicle for cleanliness and previous-load residue. Hazmat vehicles must be clean and free of residue from prior hazardous shipments. Even traces of a previous hazmat load can contaminate a new shipment if not properly cleaned.
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Never assume the shipper prepared the load correctly. You are responsible for what is on your truck. A pre-departure walk-around that takes five minutes can prevent a citation and a day or two of paperwork.
This code is rare because most drivers and carriers follow these steps. If you received this citation, review the specific deficiency noted on your inspection report, correct it, and document your corrective action. A single 177.802-HMHC citation is not career-ending and carries no out-of-service penalty, but it is a signal to tighten your hazmat pre-trip procedures.