Containers of hazardous materials should be braced so they will not fall, slide, or bounce around during transportation.

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

The power unit of a placarded vehicle must be equipped with a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating of 10 B:C or more.

The three main lists used to identify hazardous materials are the Hazardous Materials Table (Title 49, CFR, §172.101), the List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities (Appendix A to Title 49, CFR, §172.101), and the List of Marine Pollutants (Appendix B to Title 49, CFR, §172.101).

Packages that contain liquid containers must have orientation markers. Arrows displayed on the box should be pointing in the correct upright direction.

Packaging can be an indicator of whether or not materials are hazardous. Cylinders and drums are often used to hold and transport hazardous materials.

When transporting hazardous materials, you may leave your vehicle unattended in a safe haven. A safe haven is a location that has been approved for parking unattended vehicles that are loaded with explosives.

Shippers must retain hazardous materials shipping papers, or an electronic image of the papers, for a minimum of two years after the date that the material is accepted by the initial carrier. For hazardous waste, the requirement increases to three years.

Attach the appropriate placards to your vehicle before driving. A vehicle must be placarded if it is carrying mass explosives in any amount.

The four-digit identification numbers assigned to specific hazardous chemicals are listed in the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).

To determine which placards need to be used, you must know the hazard class of the materials being shipped, the amount of hazardous materials being shipped, and the total weight of all hazardous materials in your vehicle.

A placard must be placed at least three inches away from any other markings. The placard should be kept clear of attachments or devices, such as doors and ladders. Placards should always be placed against a background of a contrasting color.

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.

Shippers package hazardous materials in a way that is meant to completely contain the materials. Vehicles should be placarded to communicate the risk of the cargo.

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

When transporting hazardous materials, you may leave your vehicle unattended in a safe haven. A safe haven is a location that has been approved for parking unattended vehicles that are loaded with explosives.

If you discover a leak in a cargo of hazardous materials, identify the materials in question by using the shipping papers, labels, or package location. Do not touch the leaking material.

If your vehicle breaks down while you are transporting explosives and you need to use warning signals, use reflective triangles or red electric lights. Never use burning signals, such as flares or fuses, when transporting explosives.

When carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, do not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building; a place where people gather; or an open fire.

If a shipping paper describes both hazardous and non-hazardous materials, the hazardous materials must be distinguished in one of three ways. They must be entered first on the shipping paper, highlighted in a contrasting color, or properly marked with an "X" in a column titled "HM."