What happens if you're cited for 177.848(d)? Get facts on out-of-service rates, severity, and next steps from 27 real citations in our database.
Ranks #1,861 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 59.3% is above the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
Prohibited loading, transportation, or storage combination of hazardous materials
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
Yes, there's a significant risk. Across our inspection records, 59.3% of 177.848(d) citations resulted in out-of-service orders. That's nearly double the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. If you're cited for prohibited loading or storage of hazmat combinations, expect your vehicle to be removed from service roughly 6 in 10 times. Immediate action to correct the load configuration and hazmat documentation is critical.
Yes—significantly more serious than most hazmat placarding violations. Our database shows 27 all-time citations for 177.848(d), with a 59.3% OOS rate. Compare that to similar hazmat codes: placarding violations (177.817(a)) have 75.1% OOS rates, while general loading/unloading violations (177.834(a)) reach 97.9%. You're in the middle of the severity spectrum, but well above the national average. The fact that nearly 6 in 10 citations end in OOS confirms this is treated as a major safety defect by inspectors.
Follow these steps: (1) Stop transporting the hazmat load immediately if you're still in motion. (2) Verify your load configuration against 49 CFR Part 177 compatibility tables—specifically which materials cannot be loaded together. (3) Separate incompatible materials into different vehicles or compartments if safe to do so. (4) Review your shipping papers and placarding for accuracy. (5) Contact your carrier's hazmat coordinator or safety manager. (6) Document everything you did to correct the violation for your DOT file. Given that 59.3% of these citations trigger OOS orders, correcting the hazmat issue before the next inspection is urgent.
Our inspection database does not include CSA point values for individual violations—that's determined by FMCSA's Safety Measurement System. However, the severity of 177.848(d) is evident from its OOS rate: 59.3% of citations result in vehicle removal from service, indicating FMCSA treats this as a serious hazmat safety defect. CSA points are assigned based on the violation's severity and your company's crash and violation history. Contact your carrier's safety manager or consult your CSA profile at SafetyNet to see the exact point impact to your record.
Yes, you can challenge the citation through the DataQs Record Dispute Resolution process if you believe the inspection finding is factually inaccurate. DataQs allows drivers and carriers to dispute roadside inspection records. The strength of your contest depends on whether you can prove the hazmat combination was actually permitted under 49 CFR Part 177, or that the inspector misread your shipping papers and hazmat class assignments. If the violation is based on objective evidence (weight of materials, placard accuracy, load configuration), contestability may be limited. File your dispute promptly—FMCSA prioritizes factual errors.
It's quite rare. Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, only 27 citations for 177.848(d) appear all-time, making it rank #1838 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. Over the last 90 days, we've recorded zero citations. This tells you two things: (1) most carriers do follow hazmat loading compatibility rules, and (2) when the violation is cited, it's taken very seriously—59.3% result in OOS orders. The rarity makes the violation even more significant when it does appear on your record.
Our inspection records show GREENWOOD MOTOR LINES INC (USDOT 63391) has the highest citation count with 3 all-time citations for 177.848(d). LEE JENNINGS TARGET EXPRESS INC, LA TEJA CONTRACTORS AND LANDSCAPING INC, and ROSS EXPRESS LLC each have 2 citations. Most other large carriers show 1 or zero citations. This pattern suggests the violation clusters around specific companies—likely those handling multiple hazmat classes or running tighter compliance margins. If you work for a carrier with prior 177.848(d) violations, extra training and load-verification steps are warranted.
Our database covers all 50 states and does not break down 177.848(d) citations by state. With only 27 all-time citations nationally, the violation is too infrequent to identify geographic patterns. However, states with high hazmat transport volumes (Texas, California, Louisiana) likely see more hazmat enforcement overall. Check your state's DOT website or your carrier's safety data for regional trends. What's clear: when 177.848(d) is cited anywhere, it triggers an OOS order 59.3% of the time—so prevention is far more cost-effective than remediation.
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