To drive a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials, you must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.

If a cargo of hazardous materials begins to leak, do not move your vehicle any more than safety requires. If you continue to drive, an even larger area will become contaminated. Instead, you should park your vehicle, secure it, stay with the vehicle, and contact the proper emergency personnel. If you do not have access to a phone, you should send someone else to get help.

A hazardous material will be placed into one of nine classes to explain the type of risks associated with the material.

On hazardous materials shipping papers, the identification number, shipping name, and hazard class must not be abbreviated, unless specifically authorized in the hazardous materials regulations.

Hazardous materials placards must be placed on a vehicle at least three inches away from any other markings and must positioned so that the words or numbers are level and read from left to right.

You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement to operate a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials.

Shipping papers must be quickly accessible in the event of an emergency. While driving, operators must keep the papers in a pouch on the driver’s door or in clear view and within immediate reach while their seat belt is fastened. Shipping papers may be kept on the driver’s seat when the driver is out of the vehicle.

Unless excepted, hazardous materials shipping papers must list an emergency response telephone number.

It is always a good idea to compare package markings and labels to accompanying shipping papers. Always make sure the shipper has displayed the correct basic description on the shipping paper and has provided the proper labels on the packages.

If a shipping paper lists both hazardous and non-hazardous materials, the hazardous materials must be entered first.

Shippers should place applicable diamond-shaped hazard warning labels on hazardous materials packages. If a label will not fit entirely onto a package, shippers may instead place the label on a tag that is securely attached to the package.

A material's ID number must appear on its accompanying shipping paper as well as on its packaging. It also must appear on cargo tanks and other bulk packaging.

Shippers of hazardous materials are required to provide proper shipping papers to communicate the risks of the materials.

On a compressed gas tank, liquid discharge valves must always be kept closed, except during loading and unloading.

In general, vehicles carrying hazardous materials are required to display diamond-shaped warning signs on all four sides. These warning signs are called "placards."

Shippers of certain kinds of hazardous materials are required to display diamond-shaped warning signs, known as placards, on any transporting vehicles. Shippers are required to provide applicable placards, labels, shipping papers, and emergency response information.

You must examine each tire on a motor vehicle at the beginning of each trip. The only effective way to check tire pressure is by using a tire pressure gauge.

Cylinders and drums are often used to contain hazardous materials. Be sure to take the proper precautions if transporting a cargo of hazardous materials.

The National Response Center helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards. It should be contacted in the event of a hazardous materials spill.

One clue that a shipment may contain hazardous materials is that the shipper is in a line of business that involves such materials. Examples include paint dealers; chemical suppliers; scientific supply houses; pest control businesses; agricultural supply firms; and dealers in explosives, munitions, or fireworks.

Fighting a hazardous materials fire requires special training and protective gear. Unless you have the proper equipment and training, do not try to fight a hazardous materials fire yourself.

You should use a floor lining when transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 materials. The floors must be tight and the liner must be made from either non-metallic material or non-ferrous metal. Non-ferrous metals are any metals that do not contain iron or iron alloys.

It is a driver's responsibility to refuse packages or shipments of hazardous materials if they contain leaks.

When transporting hazardous materials, shipping papers should be kept in a pouch in the driver's side door, or in another location where the driver is able to easily reach them while their seat belt is fastened. The papers must be easily visible to anyone who is entering the cab.

If transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you must follow a written route plan. Whenever placarded, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets, and alleys. Be sure to research any restrictions that may apply to the routes you plan to take.

If you are transporting hazardous waste, you must carry with you a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest. The manifest must be signed by hand.

The use of cargo heaters is not always permitted. When transporting materials that are categorized as Class 1 (Explosives), Class 2.1 (Flammable Gases), or Class 3 (Flammable Liquids), the use of heaters in the same space is generally prohibited.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Emergency Response Guide provides information about hazardous materials, indexed by proper shipping names and hazardous materials identification numbers.

A vehicle that has not been properly placarded may not be driven, except when necessary to protect life or property in an emergency.

When required, hazardous materials placards must be placed on all four sides of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials.