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

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.

Flammable gases are assigned to hazardous materials Class 2.

A shipping paper describes hazardous materials being transported. Shipping orders, bills of lading, and manifests are all shipping papers.

If you need to refuel a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, you must first turn off the engine. While refueling, someone must be at the nozzle and controlling the fuel flow at all times.

Hazardous materials are products that pose risks to health, safety, and property during transportation. Materials that are considered hazardous include explosives; flammable and poisonous gases; and flammable and other hazardous solids.

While the manual contains all of the information needed to pass the written exam for a hazardous materials endorsement, it does not contain all of the information necessary to do the job safely. You can learn more by attending hazardous materials training courses.

Packages containing liquid containers should display arrows pointing in the correct upright direction. These packages should be placed facing the correct direction.

When hazardous materials placards are required, a vehicle must display four identical placards. A placard should be placed on the front, on the rear, and on both sides of the vehicle.

Some radioactive materials are required to be accompanied by a transport index. A transport index is a number that indicates how much control the material will require during transport. The total transport index of all cargo in a single vehicle may not exceed 50.

Do not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used to transport Class 3 or Division 2.1 hazardous materials.

The loading of a tank with hazardous materials must always be watched by a qualified person. This person must be alert; have a clear view of the tank; stay within 25 feet of the tank; know the hazards associated with the materials; know what to do in an emergency; and be able and authorized to move the tank if necessary.

To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, you must pass a background check conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

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

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) lists all hazardous chemicals and their assigned identification numbers.

Column 2 of the Hazardous Materials Table lists the proper shipping names and descriptions of regulated materials.

Before loading or unloading a tank with flammable liquids, you should turn off the engine, unless running the engine is necessary to operate a pump. Ground the tank before opening the filling hole and maintain the ground until after closing the filling hole.

While shippers of hazardous materials are responsible for providing necessary placards, it is the driver's responsibility to actually place them on the vehicle.

The person in charge of loading or unloading a hazardous materials cargo tank must ensure that a qualified person is always supervising the process. The supervisor must be alert; have a clear view of the tank; be within 25 feet of the tank; know the hazards of the involved materials; know the procedures to follow in the case of an emergency; and be authorized to and capable of moving the tank.

Transporting hazardous materials can be risky. The regulations are intended to protect you, those around you, and the environment.

Hazardous materials placards must be positioned so any words or numbers can be read from left to right. They must be at least three inches away from any other markings.

When transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you must have a written route plan and follow that plan. Whenever possible, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets, and alleys.

Shippers of hazardous cargo must alert drivers and others to relevant hazards through proper shipping papers, hazard warning labels on packages, emergency response information, and placards.

If a cargo leak develops while you are carrying hazardous materials, do not continue driving any farther than safety requires. The farther you drive, the larger the contaminated area will become. You should park the vehicle, secure the area, and stay with the vehicle while sending someone else to get help.

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

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.

Before transporting hazardous materials, you should research any restrictions that may apply to the routes you plan to take.

Radiation will surround each package of radioactive materials and pass through to all nearby packages. The number of packages that can be loaded together is controlled.

If the words "Inhalation Hazard" appear on the shipping paper or package, you must display the "Poison Inhalation Hazard" or "Poison Gas" placards, as appropriate.

Shippers of hazardous materials are required to provide emergency response information to drivers.