FMCSR 180.407B: Cargo Tank Inspection – What Drivers Need to Know

Yes—but not always. Across our inspection database, 33.3% of 180.407B citations result in an out-of-service order (1 OOS placement out of 3 total citations all-time). This means there's a two-in-three chance your truck stays in service, but the risk is real. The severity depends on the extent of tank damage and inspection gaps inspectors find. Even if you avoid an immediate OOS, this citation stays on your record and affects your carrier's safety profile.

No—180.407B is significantly less severe than most hazmat violations. Our records show 177.834A-HMC (general loading/unloading hazmat) has a 99.2% OOS rate, while 177.817(a) (placarding violations) reaches 75.1% OOS. By comparison, 180.407B's 33.3% OOS rate is closer to the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%. This code targets a narrower risk—testing after tank damage—rather than broader hazmat handling failures.

First: Document everything. Take photos of the tank damage and any prior inspection records. Second: Contact your carrier's safety department immediately—they must file compliance paperwork showing corrective action. Third: Schedule a certified tank inspection (this is a specification cargo tank, so use a DOT-approved inspector). Fourth: Request the inspection report in writing and keep it with your vehicle. If the citation is in error (wrong tank code, inspection already done), you have 90 days to contest it through DataQs with evidence.

The CSA point weight for 180.407B is not published in standard driver safety scoring systems, but the violation itself is tracked under your carrier's Hazardous Materials BASIC. What matters more: this violation is rare (only 3 all-time citations in our database of 13M+ inspections), so a single citation will have a proportionally smaller impact on your carrier's overall CSA score than high-volume violations like placarding errors. The real cost is the repair and compliance time, not points.

Texas dominates: 2 citations in the last 180 days out of the national total, with a 50% OOS rate in that state. Our all-time data is limited (only 3 citations nationally), so geographic patterns are still forming. This is a low-frequency violation, so most states see zero or single-digit citations per year. If you haul hazmat cargo tanks in Texas, be extra diligent with post-damage inspections.

You failed to conduct required testing or inspection of your specification cargo tank after it was damaged. Specification cargo tanks (those built to DOT standards for hazmat) must be inspected and tested when they sustain damage—even minor dents or corrosion—to ensure they remain safe for hazmat transport. An inspector found evidence the tank was damaged but no record of a follow-up inspection or test by a certified inspector. Repair isn't optional; it's mandatory before you can haul hazmat in that tank again.

You can contest through the DataQs (FMCSA's online challenge system) only if the citation is factually wrong—for example, if the inspector misidentified the tank code, or if you have a dated inspection report proving the tank was tested after damage. DataQs doesn't let you argue severity or ask for leniency; it's for correcting false findings. Gather your inspection paperwork, carrier records, and any photos before filing. Allow 30 days for FMCSA to review your challenge.

No meaningful trend yet. Our records show 1 citation in the last 90 days and 2 in the last 12 months, so the violation remains extremely rare. In December 2025 we recorded 1 citation with an OOS outcome; in January 2026 we saw 1 citation with no OOS. With only 3 all-time citations, seasonal or annual patterns are not yet statistically significant. This code ranks #2551 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume, so you're more likely to worry about other hazmat compliance issues.