What 177.835 means in plain language
FMCSR 177.835 requires drivers and shippers to follow proper procedures when loading or unloading cargo tank vehicles. A cargo tank is a specialized tanker designed to carry liquids, gases, or other hazardous materials. The rule covers the mechanics of how material enters or leaves the tank, including valve operation, connection safety, pressure management, and preventing spills or vapour release.
If you received this citation, an inspector found evidence that you—or someone under your control—did not follow the correct loading or unloading steps for your cargo tank. This might include improper hose connections, failure to bleed pressure before disconnecting, inadequate grounding during transfer, or neglecting to use required containment equipment. The specifics depend on what the inspector observed.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Our inspection records show a striking fact: 177.835 has never been cited in our database of 13 million+ roadside inspections. Over the last 12 months, last 90 days, and across all time, the citation count stands at zero. No driver has been placed out of service for this violation in our records, and no driver has avoided it either.
This does not mean the regulation is unimportant—it means enforcement of this specific code is exceptionally rare in the field. Inspectors may instead cite related, more frequently enforced cargo tank and hazmat loading violations when procedural failures occur. The category as a whole is actively enforced, but 177.835 itself appears to fall outside typical inspection observation or may be handled under alternative regulatory codes.
Who gets cited most
Because zero citations exist in our database, we cannot identify which states or carriers have been cited for 177.835. This is not evidence that the violation never happens; it reflects the patterns recorded in 13 million real roadside inspections we have indexed.
However, the broader hazmat loading and unloading category is heavily inspected. Drivers hauling hazardous materials in any region should understand that cargo tank procedures are a focus area, even if 177.835 itself rarely appears as a citation code.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
The related codes in hazmat loading and unloading enforcement tell the story. Our inspection records show 177.834A-HMC (general loading/unloading hazmat procedures) accounts for 3,954 citations with a 99.2% out-of-service rate. The nearly identical 177.834(a) has 3,839 citations and a 97.9% OOS rate. These peer codes are among the most severely enforced in the FMCSR.
Placarding violations (177.817(a)) show 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate, while damaged placards (177.817(e)) are cited 2,038 times but only result in an OOS order 5.2% of the time. Movement of damaged hazmat packages (177.823(a)) occurs in 1,829 citations with a 51.8% OOS rate.
The pattern is clear: loading and unloading hazmat is treated as a critical safety issue. Even though 177.835 itself does not appear in our enforcement data, the category it sits within is one of the most aggressively monitored in commercial transportation.
How to avoid it
If you operate a cargo tank or handle hazmat loading and unloading, your pre-trip and operational checklist should include:
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Verify all hose and coupling connections before transfer begins. Inspect for damage, corrosion, or wear. Ensure couplings are rated for the product you are transferring and compatible with your tank inlet.
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Confirm pressure relief and bleed procedures before disconnecting. Never assume a tank is depressurized. Follow the shipper's procedure to relieve internal pressure and vent vapour safely.
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Use proper grounding and bonding equipment during loading or unloading. Static discharge can ignite flammable vapours. Inspect grounding cables before each operation and connect them in the correct sequence (attach to tank first, then to the source or destination equipment).
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Maintain containment systems and spill prevention gear. Have absorbent material, drip pans, or secondary containment ready. Know your product's hazard class and the specific containment requirements for your load.
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Document the loading or unloading procedure. If you are present during product transfer, watch the operation and verify the shipper follows the bill of lading and safety data sheet requirements. Report any deviations to your dispatcher or safety team.
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Communicate with the shipper or receiver. Do not assume they know the correct procedure. Confirm valve positions, pressure settings, and emergency procedures before transfer begins. This is especially critical if you are new to a facility.
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Inspect the cargo tank itself on every trip. Look for loose fittings, corrosion around connection points, or signs of previous spills. A damaged tank may not load or unload safely, even if you follow every other rule correctly.