What 180.340-6 means in plain language
180.340-6 is a hazardous materials regulation that governs how drivers and carriers handle specific transport operations. The rule focuses on compliance during the movement, loading, or unloading phases of hazmat operations. Non-compliance can create safety risks to the driver, the vehicle, other road users, and the environment.
This isn't a minor paperwork violation. It sits squarely in the hazardous materials category, which means inspectors treat it seriously. However, the regulation itself has seen relatively light enforcement — not because inspectors ignore it, but because most carriers and drivers operating hazmat loads are getting this right.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million real roadside inspection records, 180.340-6 has generated only 15 citations all-time. In the last 12 months, inspectors have issued 9 citations. In the last 90 days, we've recorded 4.
Of those 15 all-time citations, 4 resulted in an out-of-service order and 11 did not. That's a 26.7% out-of-service rate. For context, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%. This code's rate sits slightly below the average, meaning while OOS outcomes do happen, they're not the automatic result of a citation.
Nationally, 180.340-6 ranks #2050 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. This is a low-frequency violation, which means if you've just been cited, you're in a small group.
Who gets cited most
Over the last 180 days, Texas has recorded 4 citations for this code — the only state appearing in our top enforcement list for 180.340-6. In Texas, 3 of those 4 citations (75.0%) resulted in an out-of-service order, which is notably higher than the national rate of 26.7%.
Our data shows that across all-time citations, carriers such as United Petroleum Transports Inc (USDOT 185040) have received 2 citations for this code. Most other carriers in our database show 1 citation each, reflecting how rare enforcement is.
The majority of vehicles cited for 180.340-6 are Freightliner units (FRHT), which account for 6 of the 15 all-time citations. Fruehauf trailers (FRUE) appear in 3 citations, with Heil, International, and Kenworth each appearing in 2.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
180.340-6 sits in the hazardous materials category alongside several peer codes that tell a revealing story about enforcement severity.
Compare 180.340-6 (15 citations, 26.7% OOS rate) to 177.834A-HMC, a general loading/unloading hazmat violation. That code has accumulated 3,954 citations with a 99.2% out-of-service rate — a stark contrast. Similarly, 177.834(a) shows 3,839 citations at a 97.9% OOS rate. These codes are enforced far more frequently and result in OOS orders in nearly every case.
Another peer code, 172.602(c)(1) regarding maintenance of emergency response information, has 1,464 citations but a 0.0% out-of-service rate. This shows that hazmat violations can span a wide spectrum of severity.
The 180.340-6 citations we see typically don't escalate to automatic out-of-service, but when they do (as in the Texas cases at 75%), it signals a material deficiency.
How to avoid it
Prevention starts with understanding what commonly occurs alongside 180.340-6 violations in the field.
Our inspection data shows that in the last 90 days, 180.340-6 most frequently co-occurs with 392.2RG, a violation for operating a CMV while ill or fatigued. This pattern appears in 3 shared inspections. The implication is clear: fatigue during hazmat operations is a red flag. Before taking a hazmat load, ensure you're genuinely rested. If you feel fatigued during the trip, don't attempt loading or unloading operations.
The second set of co-occurring codes involves placarding and markings — 172.331, 172.334, 172.504A, 172.516C2, and 177.817E all appear in our 90-day co-occurrence data. This tells you that hazmat marking and placard accuracy is critical. Before departure:
- Verify all placards are present, legible, and correctly oriented for every material on your vehicle. Deteriorated or faded placards are cited under 177.817E and commonly appear with 180.340-6 deficiencies.
- Check ID numbers match the actual cargo. Prohibited or incorrect ID markings (172.334) are a recurring pattern in these inspections.
- Walk the entire perimeter of your vehicle and trailer, ensuring no placard is obscured by equipment, tarp fasteners, or vehicle parts.
Third, mechanical readiness matters. Co-occurring violations include 393.55D1 (defective coupling devices), 393.60E-WS (window obstructions affecting driver visibility), and 393.75A / 393.75A3 (tire defects). When hauling hazmat, a pre-trip inspection is non-negotiable:
- Inspect coupling devices and all towing connections. A defective coupling during a hazmat transport can cause catastrophic consequences.
- Ensure clear visibility — clean windows, mirrors, and remove any obstructions. You need full situational awareness when transporting hazardous materials.
- Check tires for flat spots, audible air leaks, and general wear. Tire failure on a hazmat load is a high-consequence failure mode.
Finally, the prevalence of Freightliner units (6 citations) in our data suggests no particular brand defect, but rather that Freightliners are common in hazmat fleets. Regardless of your vehicle make, treat every hazmat pre-trip as a safety audit, not a checkbox exercise.
If you've been cited for 180.340-6, the path forward depends on whether you were placed out of service. If not, work with your carrier's safety team to understand the specific deficiency noted and correct it before your next hazmat run. If you were placed out of service, especially in Texas where the OOS rate is 75%, treat the citation seriously and ensure the underlying issue is fully resolved before returning to service.