What 180.416(g) means in plain language
180.416(g) is a hazardous materials regulation that falls under the Department of Transportation's rules for safely transporting dangerous goods. This particular section addresses specific requirements related to how hazmat must be handled, packaged, or documented during transport operations.
The regulation sets a baseline standard that applies across all commercial hazmat shipments in the U.S. When an inspector cites you for 180.416(g), they are asserting that some aspect of your hazmat compliance — whether in preparation, loading, placarding, documentation, or vehicle condition — fell short of federal requirements.
Unlike some hazmat violations that trigger immediate out-of-service orders, 180.416(g) citations are relatively uncommon and are not automatically grounds for pulling your truck off the road.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our database of 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 180.416(g) has generated only 3 citations in all-time records, with zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. This ranks the code at #2551 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume — placing it in the lowest tier of cited violations.
None of the 3 citations on record resulted in an out-of-service placement, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate. For context, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, meaning 180.416(g) is enforced much more leniently than the typical hazmat code. Inspectors are citing this violation at an extremely low rate and almost never escalating it to an immediate roadside shutdown.
The enforcement gap over the last 90 days and 12 months suggests either that compliance is strong, or that this particular section is not a focus area for roadside inspectors relative to other hazmat rules.
Who gets cited most
Our records show three carriers with citations for 180.416(g): Santa Juanita Gas Service Inc (USDOT 1035425) with 1 citation, Carimex Inc (USDOT 2368156) with 1 citation, and Papali Logistics LLC (USDOT 3767834) with 1 citation. Because enforcement volume is extremely low, no single state or carrier pattern emerges. The vehicles cited included a Hyundai and an Isuzu — neither a dominant carrier type.
The sparse data reflects the rarity of this citation in the field.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Other hazmat regulations in the same category show dramatically different enforcement patterns. For example, 177.834A (general loading/unloading of hazmat) has 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate — meaning it is cited over 1,300 times more frequently than 180.416(g) and is almost always grounds for immediate removal from service.
Similarly, 177.834(a) (another general loading/unloading rule) has 3,839 citations at 97.9% OOS rate. Even 172.516(c)(6) (placard damaged, deteriorated, or obscured) has 1,796 citations, though its OOS rate is only 1.6%.
By comparison, 180.416(g) sits at the extreme low end of enforcement. This suggests it is either a technical provision that overlaps with other more-frequently-cited codes, or that compliance is nearly universal.
How to avoid it
Because 180.416(g) is rarely cited and our data shows no co-occurring violations or clear vehicle-type patterns, the best defense is to follow baseline hazmat compliance practices:
- Review your hazmat documentation before you leave the facility. Ensure shipping papers, manifests, and emergency response information are complete, legible, and accessible.
- Inspect placards and labels on all hazmat packages and the vehicle itself. Verify they are present, properly affixed, and not faded, torn, or obscured.
- Verify packaging integrity before loading. Check that all hazmat containers are properly sealed and show no signs of leakage or damage.
- Confirm proper vehicle maintenance for any equipment used to secure or contain hazmat. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to generate compliance questions.
- Know what you are hauling. Understand the hazard class, proper handling procedures, and any special requirements for each shipment before departure.
Given the near-zero citation rate, most drivers are already meeting this standard. Staying current with your carrier's hazmat training and conducting thorough pre-trip inspections will keep you well clear of this violation.