Violation code

178.503

UN Packaging markings not compliant

Not in SMSOOS· FMCSA A&I All Violations

178.503 is a HazMat violation under 49 CFR §178.503. It is an out-of-service violation; it is not scored in the SMS. Nationally it was cited 15 times in the last five years, with an OOS rate of 6.7%.

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National roadside inspection stats

as of 9/20/2026

Inspections

that found this code

Violations

total written

OOS rate

6.7%

1 OOS

Source: FMCSA roadside inspection data (last 5 years). The OOS rate is the share of these violations that led the officer to mark the driver or vehicle out of service.

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Not used in SMS BASIC scoring

Recorded on your inspection report and visible on the PSP, but contributes 0 points to CSA BASIC scores — even if cited Out-of-Service.

Violation group: HazMat
Regulation §: 178.503
Severity weight: N/A
Used in SMS: No
Status: Active
Updated: 9/20/2026

Last updated September 2026

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What 178.503 means — and how to avoid it

In plain English

In plain terms, 178.503 is cited for uN Packaging markings not compliant. Because it’s an out-of-service condition, an inspector can put the driver or vehicle out of service on the spot until it’s corrected.

What the inspector checks

•Correct placarding for the material and quantity
•Shipping papers accessible and accurate
•Package marking, labeling, and securement

How to prevent it

✓Verify placards match the shipping papers before leaving
✓Keep shipping papers within reach and in order
✓Confirm proper packaging and emergency info

How it affects your CSA

0 CSA points

178.503 is not scored in the SMS. It adds 0 CSA points — even if written out-of-service — but it still appears on the inspection report and the driver’s PSP.

General guidance from the violation’s FMCSA classification — not legal advice, and not a substitute for the inspector’s findings or 49 CFR.

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Challenging 178.503 through FMCSA DataQs

If 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

Shipment was not placardable
The materials transported did not exceed the threshold quantities requiring placards under 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart F.
Evidence that wins
- ✓Shipping papers showing UN number, hazard class, and quantity
- ✓Manufacturer's product specification sheet
Administrative HazMat code (not in SMS)
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
- ✓FMCSA SMS Methodology Appendix A reference

Common pitfalls — avoid these

⚠Administrative HazMat codes still appear on the PSP record even when not scored in SMS

⚡ Draft a challenge for 178.503 →Read the DataQs guide first

Other HazMat codes

Codes under the same FMCSA violation group

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Frequently asked questions about 178.503

What does violation 178.503 mean?

178.503 is the FMCSA roadside-inspection violation code for "UN Packaging markings not compliant", part of the HazMat group, cited under 49 CFR §178.503.

What BASIC does 178.503 affect?

178.503 is not scored in any CSA BASIC. It is recorded on the inspection report and appears on the PSP, but it contributes 0 points to a carrier's SMS BASIC percentiles.

Is 178.503 an out-of-service (OOS) violation?

Yes. 178.503 is an out-of-service violation, meaning the driver or vehicle can be placed out of service at the roadside until the issue is corrected. OOS violations also add an extra severity point in SMS scoring.

How many CSA points does 178.503 add?

178.503 adds 0 CSA points because it is not used in SMS scoring, even when written out of service.

How can a driver prevent 178.503?

Verify placards match the shipping papers before leaving; Keep shipping papers within reach and in order; Confirm proper packaging and emergency info.

Can 178.503 be challenged through DataQs?

Yes. If you believe 178.503 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.

Keep going

CSA points calculator How to challenge a violation Draft a DataQs letter for 178.503 Carrier CSA lookup CSA glossary

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