Driver not in possession of written route plan as required in 397.101(d) - RAM Shipments
397.101(e)(3) is a HM Route violation under 49 CFR §397.101(e)(3). It falls in the Hazardous Materials Compliance BASIC with a severity weight of 1/10.
Last updated May 2026
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Notes
DSMS: YIf this violation was written incorrectly, here are the angles trucking-safety managers use to contest it. Playbook: Hazardous Materials.
Common ways to challenge this code
The materials transported did not exceed the threshold quantities requiring placards under 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart F.
Evidence that wins
This administrative code is on the inspection report but does not contribute to CSA BASIC scoring per FMCSA SMS Methodology Appendix A.
Evidence that wins
Common pitfalls — avoid these
Same BASIC category — ranked by national citation volume
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HM (106A/110AW Multi-Unit Tank Car Tanks) - Improper safety relief device.
HM (Packaging) - DOT 412 general requirements.
HM (Packaging) - MC 312 improper venting requirements.
HM (Packaging) - MC 306 manhole requirements.
HM (Packaging) - MC 306/307/312 piping protection.
Codes under the same FMCSA violation group
HM RAM (Driving & Parking) - Operating a motor vehicle containing HRCQ of Class 7 material over non preferred route.
HM RAM (Driving & Parking) - Motor carrier permit/require a driver to operate a motor vehicle containing HRCQ of Class 7 material without preparing/providing a copy of written route plan as required.
HM vehicle routing violation (non RAM)
HM (Driving & Parking) - Operate an HM motor vehicle, reqruied to be placarded or marked in violation of routing (Non RAM).
HM (Driving & Parking) - Operating a motor vehicle without preparing a written route plan for Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3.
No or incomplete route plan for radioactive materials
397.101(e)(3) is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "Driver not in possession of written route plan as required in 397.101(d) - RAM Shipments", part of the HM Route group, cited under 49 CFR §397.101(e)(3).
397.101(e)(3) falls under the Hazardous Materials Compliance BASIC in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS).
397.101(e)(3) carries a severity weight of 1 out of 10. Higher weights indicate violations more closely tied to crash risk, and they count more toward a carrier's Hazardous Materials Compliance score.
No. 397.101(e)(3) is not an out-of-service violation, so on its own it does not trigger an out-of-service order at the roadside.
The point contribution of 397.101(e)(3) depends on its severity weight (1/10) multiplied by a time weight of 3, 2, or 1 based on how recent the inspection is. You can calculate the exact contribution with the CSA points calculator.
Yes. If you believe 397.101(e)(3) was recorded in error, you can file a Request for Data Review (RDR) through the FMCSA DataQs system with supporting evidence. A successful challenge can remove or correct the violation on your record.
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Statistics
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