180.405(b) Cargo Tank Specs — Driver Q&A

Not necessarily. Across our 13 million inspection records, 180.405(b) citations result in an out-of-service order 33.3% of the time. That's slightly higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. Of the 3 all-time citations in our database for this code, 1 resulted in an OOS order and 2 did not. Whether you're placed out of service depends on the severity of the tank specification defect the inspector identified.

It's among the least-cited hazmat violations we track. Ranked #2551 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, 180.405(b) has only 3 all-time citations in our database. For context, peer violations in the same hazmat category—like general loading/unloading violations (177.834A-HMC)—clock 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate. The rarity of 180.405(b) citations suggests tank specification defects are uncommon finds at roadside inspections.

First, document the exact defect cited by the inspector on your citation. Second, contact your carrier's safety or compliance team immediately—this code applies to the vehicle, not you personally, so your fleet's maintenance schedule matters. Third, if your truck was placed out of service, do not operate it until the tank specification issue is corrected and re-inspected. Fourth, request written clarification from the inspector on what tank component failed to meet specifications. Keep all correspondence and repair records for potential DataQs challenge if you believe the citation was incorrect.

Yes. The FMCSA DataQs (Database Quality System) allows you and your carrier to challenge roadside inspection findings you believe are inaccurate. For equipment-based citations like 180.405(b), you'll need to submit evidence—repair invoices, photos of corrected tank components, or a third-party inspection report—showing the defect was not present or was misidentified. DataQs requests are evaluated within 30 days. Success rates vary by citation type and evidence quality. Contact your carrier's compliance department to file; they typically manage the process.

The CSA points depend on your carrier's safety profile category and how FMCSA weights this particular violation. We don't have point values in our inspection database. You'll need to check your carrier's CSA profile on FMCSA's public Safer System portal, or ask your fleet safety manager directly. What we can tell you: this code is cited so rarely (0 citations in the last 12 months across 13 million inspections) that it's unlikely to be a driver-facing CSA drag for most fleets.

Our inspection records show only 3 all-time citations for cargo tank specifications under 180.405(b), which is too sparse to identify a clear geographic pattern. One was issued to Alaska Fuel Distributors Inc, one to CTL Internacionales SA de CV, and one to Karen Yisell Paz Salinas. Given the rarity of this citation nationwide, hazmat tank defects are not a common roadside finding in any region. If you operate a fuel or hazmat cargo tank, standard pre-trip inspections and regular maintenance remain your best prevention.

Our data shows enforcement is stable and very low. In the last 12 months, we recorded 0 citations for 180.405(b). In the last 90 days, also 0. All-time, we have 3 citations since we began capturing roadside inspection records. This suggests cargo tank specification defects are either rare at the roadside, well-maintained by carriers, or cited under different codes. There's no trend of worsening enforcement for this violation.

This violation follows the vehicle and carrier, not the driver. Cargo tank specifications are a mechanical and maintenance issue—the responsibility of the carrier or owner to ensure the tank meets DOT/FMCSR requirements. However, in FMCSA's CSA system, violations can affect both driver and carrier safety records depending on how they're classified during the inspection. Ask your carrier's safety team or the inspector to clarify which record (carrier USDOT or driver DAC) the citation was assigned to, so you know how it affects your personal history.