What 178.347-1 means in plain language
FMCSR 178.347-1 pertains to specific requirements for transporting hazardous materials in bulk. The regulation establishes technical standards and operational conditions that must be met when a commercial vehicle is used to haul hazmat in bulk form—whether that's liquids, gases, solids, or other dangerous goods.
The core intent is to ensure that bulk hazmat shipments are contained and controlled throughout transport. This includes requirements around how the cargo tank or container must be equipped, marked, maintained, and operated to prevent leaks, spills, or exposure during transit, loading, and unloading.
If you received a citation for 178.347-1, an inspector found that your vehicle or your handling of a bulk hazmat load did not meet one or more of these technical or operational standards. The specific violation could range from equipment defects to procedural lapses.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our database of 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 178.347-1 is an uncommon citation. All-time, we have recorded 2 citations for this code, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This makes 178.347-1 ranked #2651 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—placing it well below the enforcement median.
Of the 2 all-time citations in our records, 0 resulted in an out-of-service order, yielding a 0.0% OOS rate. This is substantially lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, indicating that inspectors have not found this violation severe enough to remove vehicles from service. However, because the sample size is very small, this statistic should be interpreted with caution; individual enforcement outcomes may vary.
The rarity of this citation in our national database suggests that either compliance is generally strong in this area, or violations are being cited under different, more frequently applied codes within the hazmat category.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that hazmat violations in this category have been cited across a limited carrier base. Fleets such as Jernigan Oil Transport Inc (USDOT 108483) and Gemini Motor Transport LP (USDOT 913300) each appear in our data with 1 citation for 178.347-1. Because the total citation count is only 2, geographic and carrier patterns are minimal.
Vehicles cited include Freightliner, International, and other heavy-duty truck makes. No state-level concentration data is available given the very low citation volume.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Hazmat violations span a wide enforcement spectrum. Compare 178.347-1 to its peer codes in the hazardous materials category:
General loading and unloading violations (177.834A-HMC and 177.834(a)) are far more frequently cited—3,954 and 3,839 citations respectively—and carry extremely high OOS rates of 99.2% and 97.9%. These are treated as critical safety failures.
Placarding violations (177.817(a)) have been cited 2,274 times with a 75.1% OOS rate, reflecting serious enforcement concern. By contrast, damaged placard violations (177.817(e)) occur more frequently (2,038 citations) but with a much lower 5.2% OOS rate.
Movement of damaged hazmat packages (177.823(a)) has been cited 1,829 times with a 51.8% OOS rate, indicating moderate enforcement severity.
The 0.0% OOS rate for 178.347-1, set against these comparisons, suggests that inspectors view violations of this code as less immediately hazardous than loading/unloading errors or major placarding failures—though the tiny sample size limits strong conclusions.
How to avoid it
To avoid a 178.347-1 citation, focus on bulk hazmat compliance during your pre-trip and operational routine:
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Inspect your cargo tank or container before every load. Check for cracks, corrosion, loose fittings, damaged seals, or signs of previous leaks. Any structural or equipment defect should be documented and reported; do not haul with a compromised tank.
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Verify all required placards, labels, and hazard documentation are in place and legible. Ensure tank markings match your bill of lading and manifest. Faded or missing markings invite citation.
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Confirm proper loading and unloading procedures. Follow shipper instructions and HAZMAT regulations for fill levels, pressure relief venting, grounding, and bonding. Never exceed safe fill levels or pressure limits for the commodity.
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Maintain pressure relief devices and valves. If your vehicle is equipped with safety relief valves, excess flow valves, or vent lines, ensure they are clean, functional, and correctly set. Corroded or stuck valves compromise containment.
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Keep the cargo area sealed when empty. Between loads, keep caps, plugs, and hatches in place to prevent contamination and comply with operational standards.
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Review the safety data sheet (SDS) for your specific commodity. Hazmat regulations vary by material; knowing whether you are carrying a flammable liquid, oxidizer, corrosive, or other category ensures you follow the right procedures.
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Attend refresher training on bulk hazmat transport if your company operates tankers regularly. Procedural lapses often stem from gaps in understanding or outdated practice.
Because 178.347-1 citations are rare in our national database, the violation you received may indicate an unusual or severe deficiency. Work with your fleet safety manager and a qualified tank inspector to understand exactly what the violation was and how to correct it.