Direct answers on 397.67 citations, out-of-service risk, CSA points, and next steps. Backed by 13M+ inspection records.
Ranks #1,170 of 3,146 FMCSR codes by citation frequency • OOS rate of 0.0% is below the FMCSR-wide average of 33.3%.
HM vehicle routing violation (non RAM)
Direct answers grounded in TruckCodex inspection data
No. Across our 13 million inspection records, 397.67 has never resulted in an out-of-service placement—the OOS rate is 0.0%. Of the 247 all-time citations in our database, not a single one triggered an immediate roadside out-of-service order. That said, the violation itself (failing to follow prescribed routing for radioactive materials) is serious enough to warrant an enforcement action and CSA points, so compliance is critical to avoid escalation.
The CSA severity weight for 397.67 is 9 points. Those points enter your BASIC profile in the category where this code sits. CSA multipliers can add additional impact depending on how many violations occur within a rolling 12-month window and your carrier's score—the sooner you address the underlying routing issue, the sooner your compliance record improves.
Yes, but context matters. Our data shows most hazmat violations have far higher out-of-service rates. For example, general loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC) have a 99.2% OOS rate; placarding violations (177.817) run 75.1%. By contrast, 397.67 sits at 0.0% OOS. That doesn't mean routing infractions are minor—they reflect operational failure—but they carry lower immediate enforcement severity than cargo security or placarding breaches.
Yes, DataQs is available. The FMCSA's DataQs system lets drivers and carriers challenge roadside inspection findings they believe are inaccurate. For a routing violation, contestability depends on whether the inspector documented the actual prescribed route requirement and whether your load actually deviated from it. If you can show the route was compliant or the inspector misidentified the requirement, you have grounds to contest. Gather dispatch records, GPS logs, and routing documentation and file through the FMCSA DataQs portal.
Texas dominates enforcement volume for this code. Over the last 180 days, our records show 64 citations in Texas with a 0.0% out-of-service rate. This reflects Texas's role as a major hazmat transport corridor. Beyond Texas, our top carriers for this violation operate predominantly in Southern and Midwestern markets, so if you run radioactive materials in those regions, routing compliance is especially critical.
Last 12 months show volatility but no clear trend. Our records logged 2 citations in April 2025, spiked to 21 in June, dropped to 5 in September, then spiked again to 27 in November before settling to 2 in March 2026. In the past 90 days we've seen 14 citations. The pattern suggests seasonal or regional enforcement intensity rather than a steady climb, so stay prepared year-round.
Tanker equipment dominates. HEIL (73 citations), Freightliner (FRHT, 72), and Peterbilt (PTRB, 66) vehicles account for the majority of our 397.67 citations all-time. This tracks closely with radioactive materials transport, which relies heavily on specialized tanker rigs. If you operate one of these platforms hauling hazmat, routing procedure training and pre-trip verification are essential.
Where 397.67 is most commonly cited (last 180 days)
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.