What 180.325-HMP means in plain language
180.325-HMP is a hazardous materials regulation that falls under the Department of Transportation's hazmat shipping and handling rules. While the exact specification in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations addresses specific packaging, containment, or documentation requirements for certain hazardous shipments, the core intent is to ensure that hazardous materials are prepared, loaded, transported, and documented in ways that prevent spillage, contamination, or dangerous exposure during transit.
This code is part of a broader framework governing how hazmat carriers must manage their loads from origin to destination. If you've been cited for it, an inspector determined that something in your vehicle's hazmat operation—whether packaging integrity, labeling, documentation, or handling procedure—did not meet federal standards for that particular material class or shipment type.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 180.325-HMP ranks #2796 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation frequency. We have recorded only 1 citation for this code in our entire database. In the last 12 months, there have been 0 citations, and in the last 90 days, there have been 0 citations. This makes 180.325-HMP extraordinarily rare in roadside enforcement.
Of the single citation on record, the vehicle was not placed out of service, resulting in a 0.0% out-of-service rate for this code. By contrast, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%, meaning that 180.325-HMP violations are almost never serious enough to remove a vehicle from service immediately. This suggests the violation, when it does occur, typically involves a technical or documentation issue rather than an imminent safety hazard.
Who gets cited most
Our enforcement records show only one citation for 180.325-HMP all-time: Dominion Leasing Inc. (USDOT 551378), which received 1 citation. Because the enforcement volume is so minimal, regional patterns and carrier-level trends are not statistically meaningful. The cited vehicle was a Peterbilt and a Westmor model, but again, with only one record in our database, no actionable pattern emerges.
If you have received this citation, you are among an extremely small group of drivers cited for this specific violation in the roadside inspection universe.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
180.325-HMP sits in the hazardous materials category alongside several far more frequently cited violations. For context:
177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% out-of-service rate—meaning nearly all instances result in vehicle removal. 177.817(a) (Placarding violation) has 3,839 citations with a 97.9% out-of-service rate. 177.817(e) (Placard deteriorated/damaged) has 2,038 citations with a 5.2% out-of-service rate, much closer to 180.325-HMP's severity profile.
The peer codes show that some hazmat violations are catastrophic safety issues (placarding, general loading/unloading), while others are maintenance or documentation problems. 180.325-HMP's 0.0% out-of-service rate suggests it falls into the latter category—correctable, but not immediately hazardous.
How to avoid it
Because 180.325-HMP citations are so rare, the best defense is a systematic hazmat pre-trip routine:
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Know your commodity. Before accepting a hazmat load, confirm the proper hazard class, packing group, and DOT shipping name. Cross-reference your bill of lading against the shipper's hazmat certification. Any mismatch is a red flag.
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Inspect packaging and containment. Look for signs of damage, leakage, or deterioration in drums, boxes, cylinders, or other packaging. If a seal is broken or a closure is loose before you leave the dock, refuse the load until it's corrected.
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Verify placarding and labeling. Placards must be affixed to all four sides of the vehicle (or cargo unit) in the proper orientation and condition. Labels on individual packages must be legible and unobscured. Remove old or conflicting placards before loading.
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Document everything. Carry your hazmat shipping papers, signed hazmat certification, and emergency response information in the cab, readily accessible. Inspectors will ask to see them; incomplete or missing paperwork is a quick citation.
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Double-check vehicle condition. Hazmat loads are typically assigned to specific vehicle types. If you're driving a Peterbilt or similar older model, ensure the vehicle is properly maintained and equipped for the material. Some hazmat requires closed or lined trailers; others require specific venting or grounding systems.
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Ask questions at the shipper. If you're unsure about packaging, placarding, or proper handling of a specific material, ask the shipper or your dispatcher before you load. No citation is worth guessing.
Given the extreme rarity of 180.325-HMP citations, focus on the fundamentals: correct commodity classification, intact packaging, proper placarding, complete documentation, and a vehicle in compliance. If you follow these steps, you are already ahead of nearly all other hazmat drivers on the road.