Basic CDL requirments, and Inspection checklist

What are the hazmat CDL requirements? What paperwork should I have with me to be compliant? Drivers have a lot of paperwork that they need to have with them during a hazmat inspection either roadside or at an inspection station.

We'll give you the basic low-down on CDL requirements and give you a general list of paperwork that you should have with you to make sure your inspection or check goes a little smoother. Remember, it's always best to check to see if you have this stuff BEFORE you start your trip!

Basic hazmat CDL requirements

Requirements for licenses and endorsements are covered in section 383 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR's). Its important to read the definitions under 383.5 for "hazardous Materials" which defines the requirements:

Hazardous Materials definition (from 383.5 ) "Means any material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 USC 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR apr 172 or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73".

Heres the lowdown: For our purposes here we won't worry about "select agents or toxins". If your a transporter of that kind of material there will be no doubt of your CDL status! The rest of that definition essentially says "If its been designated as a hazardous material AND its required to be placarded, its a hazardous material for the purposes of a CDL. So to cut to the chase, if your required to put placards on your load, you need a hazmat endorsement.

Not sure when you need placards? No problem, go over to the placarding page on this site, and read all about them.

If you need to get your HM endorsement, you may want to head over to TSA's website to get more info on what you'll need, as well as a list of violations that can disqualify you from getting an HM endorsement. Another good point of reference for endorsement info is your local DMV, Motor Carrier, State Police or Highway Patrol commercial enforcement division. Tank endorsement: Tank endorsements are required when a cargo tank or portable tank is either permantly or temporarily attached to the vehicle and it's capacity is 1,000 gallons or more. Read the definition of tank vehicle 383.5) and driver training requirments in 177.816(b) to tell you what you're going to need.

The DOT hazmat inspection - Be ready!

You want to be in compliance but there's just so much &%#$! paperwork to remember! Here's a general list of what you're going to need. Every state is different, but the following items will be the minimum needed no matter what state your in. It's always best to check your permit book before you leave on your trip to make sure you have up to date permits and paperwork, and that you know where to find it.

Shipping papers must be within your reach when seat belted in your truck. If you leave you truck, they need to be in the door pocket or on the seat (177.817 ). If you don't have any shipping papers at all for your hazmat load, you can be placed out of service.

Emergency Response Guidebook, MSDS or other document that conforms to 172.600 section of the HMR. Same as above - must be withing your reach, not in a brief case in the sleeper!

Federal Hazmat Registration or as it may be called, your Federal Hazmat permit issued by PHMSA. This is the "Pipeline and Hazardardous Materials Administration" permit that has the DOT symbol in the upper left hand corner. There are many requirements for the this permit, but a good general rule to follow is - if your load needs placards you need the permit! You can apply for a permit online if you don't have one.

State Hazmat permit Every state seems to have its own hazmat permit. Check the states you'll be traveling through so that you know what you'll need. The Alliance or Hazmat Alliance permit helps make it easier and is accepted in the following states: Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

Normal inspection paperwork: CDL, Medical Card (at least until new changes go into effect),Logbook, truck and trailer registation, IFTA, Insurance

Safety Permit Per 385.403 the following hazard classes need a hazmat safety permit. This is in addition to the above Federal HM registration. Class 7 (HRCQ), 55lbs of 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (explosives) and materials that are poisonous by inhalation. There are more requirments, so if you think you need this permit go and read the listed regulation!

Hauling Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Explosives? There's more! (397.19 )
Copy of rules of part 397supplied by company
Document containing procedures in event of accident or delay
A written route plan per 397.67

Pre Trip Suggestions

In addition to your normal pre-trip inspection items (you are doing a real pre-trip and not pencil whipping it right?) listed on the back of your logbook, here's a couple more things you may want to keep and eye on before you take off from the loading dock.

Left over placards: Do you have leftover placards on the trailer? If you have leftover placards on your trailer, even if the load is not hazmat related, they can create problems for you. The leftover placards probably don't represent the load your carrying, and it can get you placed out of service. It's recommended that you keep a roll of duct tape on hand to cover up those pesky stick-on placards that don't seem to scrape off. As long as they're covered up, you're good. Another good reason to actually do your walk around!

Leaking hazardous material is bad. The regulations don't say how much has to be leaking, so don't look at that tiny drip and think "No big deal, its just a little leak". The regulations say "No identifiable release without the use of instruments" (173.24 ). If it can be seen with the naked eye, it's a leak. Also, there can be no hazmat on the outside of the package at all. If you see even a tiny drip, its best to let somebody else know and put the monkey on their back!

Double check your placards before you pull away from the dock. Take a look at your shipping papers and then look at the placards on the truck. Do they match? Do the placards represent the hazard you are carrying? If you have any questions about how your vehicle is placarded make sure you ask someone. Make sure the placards you have on your vehicle meet all of the display requirements. Confused about placard requirements? Head over to our placards page.

Check the 4 digit UN I.D. number: 4 digit ID numbers are called markings in the regulations. They can be on placards, orange panels or white square on point. If you have ID numbers on your vehicle, make sure the numbers on the truck match the numbers on the shipping papers. If they don't, the truck ID numbers could be wrong or the shipping papers themselves may be wrong. It's best to go talk to someone about this problem if you encounter it. The wrong ID numbers on your truck misrepresents the hazard, and can get you placed out of service.