What 180.213(d) means in plain language
FMCSR 180.213(d) is a hazardous materials regulation that addresses specific requirements for how hazmat shipments must be handled or documented during transport. The rule falls under the broader hazmat compliance framework and is narrowly focused—it's not about placarding, loading procedures, or emergency response information, but rather a discrete administrative or procedural requirement for hazmat carriers and drivers.
If you've been cited for this code, it means an inspector determined that you or your vehicle failed to meet a particular hazmat-related standard during a roadside inspection. The exact violation depends on the context of your stop—whether it involved shipping papers, vehicle condition, driver qualifications, or another hazmat-specific element. Understanding which aspect of your operation triggered the citation is your first step toward correcting it and avoiding a repeat.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 180.213(d) is exceptionally rare. We have recorded only 2 citations all-time, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. Neither citation resulted in an out-of-service order—the OOS rate for this code is 0.0%, compared to the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%.
This code ranks #2651 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it in the bottom tier of enforcement activity. What this tells you: inspectors almost never cite this violation. When they do, it's treated as a non-safety-critical issue that doesn't warrant removing your vehicle from service. If you've been cited for it, you're statistically in a very small group, and the citation itself is not viewed as an immediate safety threat by enforcement.
Who gets cited most
Our data shows only two carriers have received citations for 180.213(d): SUNTECH GROUP INC (USDOT 659646) and NOEL RIVERO GARCIA (USDOT 2471659), each with 1 citation. The single vehicle cited was a PREVOST-make unit. With only 2 all-time violations and neither in the past year, there is no meaningful geographic or carrier pattern to report. This code is too infrequent for actionable trend analysis.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
When we compare 180.213(d) to peer hazmat codes in the same enforcement category, the difference in severity is striking. The general hazmat loading and unloading violations—177.834A-HMC and 177.834(a)—account for 3,954 and 3,839 citations respectively, with out-of-service rates of 99.2% and 97.9%. Placarding violations (177.817(a)) show 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate. Even more lenient peers like 172.602(c)(1), which addresses emergency response information maintenance, saw 1,464 citations but a 0.0% OOS rate.
Your 180.213(d) citation sits at the absolute lowest end of enforcement frequency and severity. It is cited fewer than 1 in 1,500 times compared to the most common hazmat loading violation, and it has never resulted in a vehicle being placed out of service. This suggests the regulation addresses a compliance detail that, while important, is not a primary focus of roadside enforcement and carries minimal operational consequence when cited.
How to avoid it
Because this code is so rarely enforced, detailed co-occurring violation patterns don't emerge from our data. However, all hazmat citations are rooted in one of a few core areas: documentation, vehicle condition, driver qualification, or procedural compliance. Here's what to do before and during every hazmat load:
-
Verify your hazmat endorsement is current and valid on your commercial driver's license. Roadside inspectors always check this first; it's non-negotiable.
-
Review your shipping papers before departure. Ensure they match the load, are legible, and list all required information. Keep them accessible in your cab or on your person during the trip.
-
Conduct a full pre-trip inspection of your vehicle, paying special attention to tank condition, seals, valve covers, and placards if applicable. Even minor deterioration can trigger a secondary inspection.
-
Know your route and any special requirements for the specific hazmat class you're carrying—some materials have unique handling or documentation rules.
-
If you drive a PREVOST or similar specialty vehicle, ensure you're familiar with any vehicle-specific hazmat procedures and that all compartments and securing mechanisms are in working order.
-
Document your compliance steps. If you're stopped, being able to show you've followed proper procedures—recent training, inspection checklists, communication with your carrier—protects you if the inspector has questions.
The rarity of 180.213(d) citations in our database suggests that standard hazmat driver practices and a working knowledge of your load will keep you clear of this violation.