FMCSR 397.11(b) Citation: What Drivers Need to Know

No. Across our inspection records, the 0.0% out-of-service rate for 397.11(b) means this citation does not trigger an immediate vehicle shutdown. For context, the national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%, so 397.11(b) is significantly less likely to result in an out-of-service order. However, being cited is still a compliance mark on your record—address the underlying issue promptly to avoid escalation.

Relative to other hazmat-related violations, 397.11(b) carries lower enforcement urgency. Our records show just 1 all-time citation for this code, ranking it #2796 of 3,036 FMCSR codes. By comparison, peer codes like 177.834A-HMC (general hazmat loading/unloading) have 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate. This suggests 397.11(b) targets a narrow, less frequently occurring hazmat scenario—but when cited, take it seriously as a documented compliance gap.

First: review the specific violation write-up on your citation—it will detail exactly what the inspector observed. Second: contact your carrier's safety or compliance team immediately to flag the violation and understand the company's response protocol. Third: document any corrective action you take (retraining, equipment repair, process change). Fourth: consider requesting the inspector's contact or the state DOT office to clarify any ambiguities before the citation becomes final. Do not ignore it—a formal record exists in your file.

397.11(b) sits well below the enforcement intensity of comparable hazmat codes. Peer violations like 177.817(a) (placarding violation) show 2,274 citations with 75.1% OOS rate, while 177.823(a) (damaged hazmat movement) has 1,829 citations with 51.8% OOS rate. The single citation for 397.11(b) suggests either the rule is narrowly applicable or compliance is generally strong. The 0.0% OOS rate indicates that when this code is cited, inspectors view it as correctable without removing the vehicle.

Yes, you can file a DataQs (FMCSA Roadside Inspection Data Quality System) challenge if you believe the citation was issued in error or if the inspector misinterpreted the facts. The DataQs process requires you to submit evidence—typically documentation, photos, or witness statements—within 90 days of the inspection. Success depends on whether the violation is a documentation/procedural matter (easier to challenge) versus a physical equipment finding (harder to overturn). Consult your carrier's compliance team or a transportation safety expert for guidance on your specific case.

The specific CSA point value for 397.11(b) is not disclosed in FMCSA's public point schedule; points vary by violation severity and your carrier's violation history. Generally, hazmat violations carry moderate to high point weight because they carry safety risk. To find the exact point impact, contact your carrier's safety department or check the FMCSA Safersys portal (if you have login access) under your carrier's violations. The citation will appear on your record regardless of points, so prioritize understanding and fixing the underlying compliance issue.

Enforcement is extremely sparse. Across 13 million inspection records in our database, 397.11(b) shows 1 all-time citation, 0 citations in the last 12 months, and 0 in the last 90 days. This suggests either the violation is rare, compliance is exceptionally strong, or the rule applies to a narrow subset of hazmat operations. If you've been cited, you're among a vanishingly small group—which underscores that the violation merits immediate attention to prevent your carrier from being identified as a repeater.

Big Tire Trucking LLC (USDOT 3545409) holds the single recorded citation for 397.11(b) in our database. With only 1 all-time citation across the entire dataset of 13 million inspections, this violation is exceptionally rare. If you work for a different carrier and have been cited, you may be the first or among the first for your company—make the corrective action visible to your safety team so it becomes a teachable moment for your fleet rather than a repeat pattern.