What 180.407B means in plain language
When you transport hazardous materials in a specification cargo tank, that tank becomes a critical safety component. If the tank shows visible signs of damage—dents, cracks, corrosion, leaks, or structural compromise—federal regulations require you to stop and have it properly inspected and tested before continuing.
The regulation doesn't ask you to guess whether damage is serious. It requires documented inspection and testing by qualified personnel. This protects you, the public, and the integrity of the hazmat load. A cargo tank that appears intact on the outside might have internal cracks or compromised welds that could fail under pressure or during transport.
A citation for 180.407B means an inspector found evidence that you or your carrier transported a damaged specification cargo tank without conducting the required inspection and testing procedures beforehand.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 180.407B is rarely cited—only 3 citations all-time, with 2 citations in the last 12 months and 1 in the last 90 days. This makes it the #2551-ranked FMCSR code by citation volume out of 3,036 codes.
The out-of-service rate for this code is 33.3% (1 vehicle placed out of service, 2 not). This is higher than the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, indicating that when inspectors do cite this violation, roadside enforcement tends to result in removal from service slightly more often than the typical code.
The low citation count reflects either strong compliance among hazmat carriers or the reality that most damaged cargo tanks are caught and repaired before roadside inspection. The enforcement trend shows 1 citation in December 2025 (resulting in OOS) and 1 citation in January 2026 (not resulting in OOS).
Who gets cited most
Our data shows citations for 180.407B are concentrated geographically. Texas accounts for 2 citations in the last 180 days, with a 50.0% out-of-service rate. No other states appear in the top citations list for this specific code during that period.
At the carrier level, our inspection records show fleets such as Servicios Especializados Alanis SA de CV (USDOT 559477) with 2 all-time citations and Transportes Sal-Ave SA de CV (USDOT 610377) with 1 citation. These numbers reflect the overall rarity of this violation.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Hazardous Materials category, 180.407B sits in a very different enforcement landscape than other cargo-tank and placarding violations. General loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC and 177.834(a)) generate 3,954 and 3,839 citations respectively, with out-of-service rates of 99.2% and 97.9%—far more severe than 180.407B's 33.3%.
Movement of damaged hazmat packages (177.823(a)) generates 1,829 citations with a 51.8% OOS rate, which is more comparable in severity to 180.407B. Placarding violations like 172.516(c)(6) yield high citation counts (1,796) but only 1.6% OOS rates, suggesting inspector discretion varies widely depending on whether the hazard is actively in motion or properly marked.
How to avoid it
Before every shift with a specification cargo tank:
- Walk the tank perimeter in daylight. Look for dents, cracks, corrosion spots, rust, paint bubbling, or seam separation. Use a flashlight and check under the frame where water collects.
- Check mounting points and brackets. Cargo tanks experience vibration; brackets and bolts loosen. A loose mounting point is a sign the tank has moved and may have internal damage.
- Inspect the interior access ports and gauges. If you can safely see inside without opening dangerous pressure seals, look for sediment, discoloration, or corrosion that signals tank wall deterioration.
- Document any damage in writing. If you spot anything questionable, don't move the load. Report it to your dispatcher and request a certified tank inspection before continuing. This protects your safety record.
- Know your carrier's inspection protocol. Ask your fleet safety manager whether they conduct monthly or quarterly tank certification tests. Understand which tank types on your trucks require the most frequent testing.
- Never assume a dent is cosmetic. Even small impact damage can compromise the structural integrity of a tank under load. When in doubt, have it inspected.
The low citation rate for 180.407B suggests that most hazmat professionals catch and address tank damage before reaching a scale house. Your job is to be that first line of defense.