What 178.345-14(b) means in plain language
When you haul certain hazardous materials—specifically those requiring a DOT 406, 407, or 412 tank vehicle—your truck must display a specific nameplate. This nameplate is a label that identifies the vehicle type and certifies it meets federal standards for transporting those materials safely. The nameplate tells inspectors and emergency responders that your tank was properly built and tested for the cargo you're carrying.
If the nameplate is missing, illegible, damaged, or improperly installed, you're in violation of FMCSR 178.345-14(b). This applies whether you own the truck, lease it, or drive for a carrier. The nameplate is not optional—it's a safety certification that your vehicle is legal to haul hazmat.
What our enforcement data actually shows
This violation is extremely rare in the field. Our inspection records show only 28 all-time citations for 178.345-14(b) across our 13 million roadside inspections. In the last 12 months, we recorded 0 citations for this code, and in the last 90 days, 0 citations. This ranks 178.345-14(b) at #1828 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
The out-of-service rate for this code is 0.0%—every citation on record resulted in a warning or fine, not a roadside shutdown. That contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate of 31.4%, meaning inspectors are treating nameplate defects as correctable paperwork issues rather than safety-critical failures. The rarity of citations and the zero out-of-service rate suggest that most drivers and fleets maintain compliant nameplates, and inspectors prioritize more dangerous hazmat violations.
Who gets cited most
Because only 28 citations exist in our entire database, geographic and carrier clustering is minimal. The top carrier cited for this code is GSH TRANSPORTATION LLC (USDOT 2903632) with 4 citations. NATIONAL FUEL TRANSPORT INC (USDOT 1664209) and MOFFITT HOLDINGS LLC (USDOT 2591066) each had 2 citations. All remaining carriers have 1 citation or fewer. These numbers reflect the overall scarcity of enforcement—no single fleet stands out as a repeat offender.
Vehicle makes cited include KW (5 citations), POLA (3 citations), and PTRB (3 citations), but again, the small sample size means this reflects incident patterns more than systemic risk at any manufacturer.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
This code sits in the hazardous materials category alongside far more frequently cited violations. For example, 177.834A-HMC (general loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% out-of-service rate, and 177.834(a) has 3,839 citations with a 97.9% out-of-service rate. Both are dozens of times more common than 178.345-14(b).
Even 177.817(a) (placarding violation) with 2,274 citations and a 75.1% out-of-service rate is vastly more frequently enforced. By comparison, 172.602(c)(1) (maintenance/accessibility of Emergency Response information) has 1,464 citations and a 0.0% out-of-service rate, similar to this code in severity, but still 52 times more common in our records.
The stark difference in enforcement frequency suggests that nameplate defects are treated as minor administrative oversights, while loading, unloading, and placarding violations are treated as serious safety threats.
How to avoid it
Pre-trip nameplate check: Before every load, walk around your tank vehicle and visually inspect the DOT nameplate. It should be affixed to the side or rear of the tank, clearly readable, and free of cracks, peeling, or obscuration. If you cannot read all text from 10 feet away, the nameplate fails inspection.
Know your vehicle type: Confirm that your vehicle is certified as a DOT 406, 407, or 412 tank. This information is on the nameplate itself and in your carrier's vehicle maintenance records. Do not haul hazmat in a non-certified tank.
Report damage immediately: If you notice a cracked, faded, or loose nameplate during a pre-trip, do not depart. Notify your dispatcher or maintenance team. A quick repainting or adhesive repair can prevent a citation and keeps you compliant.
Understand your cargo: Not all hazmat requires a DOT-certified tank nameplate. Know what materials your load contains and whether nameplate certification applies. Your carrier should provide this information with every manifest.
Maintenance schedule: If you own or lease your truck, include nameplate inspection in your quarterly or semi-annual maintenance routine. Weather, salt, and road debris degrade nameplates over time. Refresh them before they become illegible.
Because the all-time out-of-service rate for this code is 0.0%, a citation for a nameplate defect is unlikely to immediately ground your truck. However, it signals a compliance gap that inspectors will note, and repeated violations compound your safety record and carrier history.