What 180.340-8C means in plain language
180.340-8C is a hazardous materials regulation that governs specific handling or transport requirements for certain hazmat shipments. Rather than covering broad loading or placarding rules that apply across all hazmat classes, this code addresses a more specialized aspect of hazmat operations—one that inspectors encounter very infrequently in the field.
The regulation sets standards for how hazardous materials must be managed in particular circumstances. If you've been cited, an inspector determined that your cargo, vehicle, or paperwork did not meet those standards at the moment of inspection. The exact requirement depends on the type of hazmat you were transporting and the specific conditions of your load.
What our enforcement data actually shows
This citation is exceptionally rare. Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 180.340-8C has been cited just 1 time in our entire database—and zero times in the last 12 months and last 90 days. That single citation did not result in an out-of-service (OOS) order, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate, compared to the 31.4% all-FMCSR average.
Ranked #2,796 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume, 180.340-8C is essentially at the tail end of enforcement activity. This doesn't mean the regulation isn't important—it means that either compliance is near-universal among drivers handling the specific hazmat this code covers, or the regulation applies to such a narrow subset of shipments that enforcement opportunities are rare.
The fact that zero citations have been issued in the past year or quarter suggests that if you did receive this citation, you may be in an unusual situation—or an inspector encountered a borderline case.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that McCormick Marketing Inc (USDOT 1958995) appears as the only carrier with a recorded citation for this code. That represents a single event, not a pattern. Given the extremely low overall citation count (1), there is no meaningful state-by-state breakdown or trend to report.
The rarity of this violation means you should focus less on "what are fleets getting cited for" and more on understanding why you were cited in this specific instance.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Other hazmat regulations in the same category show vastly different enforcement patterns and consequences. For comparison:
- 177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate—meaning inspectors almost always remove trucks from service for this violation.
- 177.817(a) (Placarding violation) has 2,274 citations and a 75.1% OOS rate, reflecting serious safety concern.
- 172.602(c)(1) (Maintenance/accessibility of Emergency Response information) has 1,464 citations but a 0.0% OOS rate, same as your code, suggesting both are compliance issues that don't immediately threaten public safety on the road.
The fact that 180.340-8C results in zero OOS placements aligns it with routine documentation or procedural violations rather than imminent hazard situations. This is a meaningful distinction if you're worried about losing your authority or facing heavy fines.
How to avoid it
Because this citation is so uncommon, the best path forward is specific to your violation notice:
- Review the inspector's notes carefully. Understand exactly which aspect of the regulation was found deficient—cargo securing, labeling, documentation, or something else.
- Contact your carrier's hazmat coordinator or safety manager immediately. They need to know what triggered the citation and whether it reflects a knowledge gap, a procedural failure, or a one-time mistake.
- If the shipment type is new to you, ask your dispatcher or training department for clarification on requirements before you accept another load in that hazmat class.
- Pre-trip inspection: Before accepting any hazmat load, verify that placards are intact and visible, documentation matches the cargo, and the vehicle is in good condition. Do not move forward if something doesn't match your bill of lading or shipping papers.
- Documentation check: Ensure all hazmat shipping papers are in the cab, legible, and accessible. Inspectors can cite violations if papers are missing or buried in a bag under the seat.
Given how infrequently this code is enforced, your citation may be isolated. Follow up with your carrier's compliance team to confirm you understand what happened and how to prevent it going forward.