What 180.407A means in plain language
When you haul hazardous materials in a cargo tank, federal regulations require that tank to be inspected and tested on a schedule set by the Department of Transportation. This isn't optional. The requirement covers everything from structural integrity to the condition of valves, seals, and safety devices.
If an inspector finds that the required inspection or test was not performed—or that records of it don't exist—you receive a citation under 180.407A. The violation doesn't mean the tank was unsafe; it means the documentation or the inspection itself is missing. That said, the reason these inspections exist is to catch real hazards before they cause spills or accidents.
The citation applies to you as the driver if your vehicle is the one carrying the tank, and it may also apply to your carrier if they're responsible for maintaining the inspection schedule.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 180.407A is a relatively uncommon citation. We've recorded 222 citations all-time, with 91 in the last 12 months and 14 in the last 90 days. By volume, this code ranks #1190 of 3,036 FMCSR codes.
The out-of-service (OOS) rate for 180.407A is 0.5% — meaning only 1 vehicle out of 221 cited was placed out of service. This is dramatically lower than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%. In practical terms, inspectors treat this violation as a documentation or process issue rather than an immediate safety threat that requires removing the vehicle from the road.
The citation pattern over the past 12 months shows modest monthly volume. December 2025 saw a spike with 19 citations, while most other months ranged from 2 to 10. May 2025 was the only month in which a vehicle was placed out of service (1 OOS event).
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show citations for 180.407A are heavily concentrated in Texas. In the last 180 days, Texas accounted for 48 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate. New Mexico had 1 citation, also with a 0.0% OOS rate.
Across all-time data, our records show fleets such as Transportacion Carretera SA de CV (USDOT 3100833) with 38 citations, and Quality Tank SA de CV (USDOT 2864600) with 13 citations. These numbers likely reflect the size and operational footprint of those carriers rather than any pattern of negligence—larger fleets operating more cargo-tank miles will naturally face more citations. The distribution suggests this is an enforcement issue that touches carriers across the hazmat transport industry rather than clustering in one segment.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the hazardous-materials category, 180.407A sits at the lower end of severity. Peer codes show a striking contrast:
- 177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate.
- 177.817(a) (Placarding violation) has 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate.
- 172.516(c)(6) (Placard damaged, deteriorated, or obscured) has 1,796 citations with a 1.6% OOS rate.
Your citation under 180.407A, at 0.5% OOS rate, falls into the category of violations inspectors view as administrative or paper-based. Compare that to actual loading/unloading hazmat violations, which trigger out-of-service action in 99% of cases. The gap suggests that missing or incomplete inspection records are treated as fixable compliance issues, not imminent safety hazards.
How to avoid it
The co-occurring violations in our data point to specific inspection habits:
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Inspection records and documentation: Our data shows 396.17C (No proof of periodic inspection) appearing together with 180.407A in 3 recent shared inspections. Before you roll out, confirm that your cargo tank has current inspection documentation on board. Know the last inspection date and the next due date. If your carrier hasn't provided it, ask for it before accepting the load.
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Hazmat paperwork completeness: We see 172.332 (Hazmat class/division ID number missing) and 172.200A (Hazmat shipping papers missing/inadequate) co-occurring with 180.407A in 2 inspections each. Ensure your bill of lading and hazmat shipping papers are complete and reference the inspection status of the tank.
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Vehicle condition pre-trip: The top vehicles cited under this code include Kenworth (KW: 71 citations), Freightliner (FRHT: 44 citations), Peterbilt (PTRB: 37 citations), and Heil tank trailers (HEIL: 21 citations). This reflects the cargo-tank market, not a defect pattern. However, co-occurring citations for 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) and 393.78 (Windshield condition defective) suggest that when 180.407A is cited, minor vehicle defects are often noted in the same inspection. Perform a thorough pre-trip walk-around: check lights, wipers, tires, and tank visible condition.
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Maintenance schedule alignment: Work with your carrier or owner-operator maintenance provider to ensure the cargo tank inspection cycle is documented and completed before the due date. Missing this window is the core violation. If you operate your own tank, calendar the inspection and keep receipts.
The low out-of-service rate and relatively modest citation volume suggest that 180.407A is largely preventable through basic documentation discipline and communication with your carrier about inspection status.