What 397.11A means in plain language
397.11A is a hazardous materials regulation that focuses on safe handling and transportation practices specific to certain hazmat shipments. The rule requires drivers and carriers to follow specific procedures when transporting hazardous materials to ensure public safety and regulatory compliance.
If you received this citation, an inspector determined that your operation did not meet the requirements for how hazardous materials must be handled or transported. This could involve documentation, packaging, labeling, or operational procedures tied to your specific shipment.
The good news: this is not an automatic out-of-service violation. Whether you're removed from service depends on the severity of what the inspector found and the specific circumstances of your citation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 397.11A is exceptionally rare. We have documented just 1 citation all-time in our database, with 1 citation in the last 12 months and 1 in the last 90 days. This ranks 397.11A at #2796 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—making it one of the least-cited violations on the road.
Of the single citation on record, 0 resulted in an out-of-service order, giving this code a 0.0% OOS rate. For context, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, meaning 397.11A violations are placed out-of-service at a rate far below the national typical. This suggests inspectors are treating individual 397.11A violations as correctable deficiencies rather than immediate safety threats that warrant removing the vehicle from service.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that Texas accounts for 1 citation of 397.11A over the last 180 days, with a 0.0% out-of-service rate. The citation volume is too low to identify meaningful geographic or carrier patterns, but the data indicates this violation occurs sporadically across the country rather than clustering in specific regions or fleets.
Our data shows fleets such as TEX MIX PARTNERS LLC (USDOT 1947548) with 1 citation on record. This minimal citation count reflects the rarity of this code across the industry.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
397.11A sits within the broader hazardous materials enforcement category, but its citation rate and enforcement approach differ dramatically from related hazmat violations.
For example, 177.834A (General loading/unloading hazmat) has accumulated 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate—reflecting the critical safety nature of hazmat loading procedures. Similarly, 177.834(a) shows 3,839 citations with a 97.9% OOS rate. These violations are treated as serious because improper hazmat loading poses immediate public risk.
At the other end of the spectrum, 172.502(a)(1) (Placarding general requirements) has 1,820 citations with an 18.5% OOS rate, and 172.516(c)(6) (Placard damaged, deteriorated, or obscured) shows 1,796 citations but only a 1.6% OOS rate. These are typically correctable without removing the vehicle.
397.11A's 0.0% OOS rate aligns it with codes like 172.602(c)(1) (Maintenance/accessibility of Emergency Response information), which also stands at 0.0% OOS. This suggests inspectors view 397.11A violations as procedural or documentary issues that do not immediately jeopardize vehicle operation or cargo safety.
How to avoid it
Because 397.11A citations are extremely rare in our database, there are no clear co-occurring violation patterns to guide prevention. However, hazmat violations in general cluster around documentation, placarding, and vehicle condition.
If you transport hazardous materials, protect yourself with these pre-trip practices:
-
Verify all hazmat paperwork before departure. Shipping papers, placards, and emergency response information must be correct, legible, and accessible. Mismatches between cargo and documentation trigger citations.
-
Inspect your vehicle for required equipment and markings. Our data shows 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) and 396.17C (No proof of periodic inspection) co-occurred in the same inspection that yielded a 397.11A citation. Ensure all lighting is functional and your vehicle inspection report is current and on-board.
-
Follow loading and containment procedures exactly. Hazmat doesn't forgive improvisation. Whether it's blocking, bracing, or segregation, follow the shipper's instructions and regulatory requirements to the letter.
-
Know your cargo. Understand what you're hauling, its hazard class, and any special handling requirements. When loading stops or inspection occurs, be able to explain your procedures clearly.
-
Keep your endorsement current. If you hold a hazmat endorsement, know the rules. If you don't hold one, you shouldn't be transporting certain materials at all.
Given the scarcity of this citation type, most drivers never encounter it. If you received one, take it as a signal to review your hazmat procedures with your fleet safety manager, correct whatever the inspector noted, and move forward. The 0.0% OOS rate suggests this is highly correctable.