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.

Many hazardous materials classified as poisonous are also flammable.

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

You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement to drive a vehicle of any size that is used for transporting hazardous materials.

If transporting chlorine in cargo tanks, a driver must have an approved gas mask in their vehicle.

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.

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.

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.

A "G" in Column 1 of a hazardous materials shipping paper indicates that the description in Column 2 is the generic name for a material. A generic shipping name must be accompanied by a technical name.

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

Always protect containers of hazardous materials. When loading hazardous materials, never use equipment that could damage containers or packaging, such as hooks.

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.

The marine pollutant symbol is the image of a fish in a white triangle with an X through through the fish.

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 placarded vehicle must have at least four identical placards: one on the front, one on the rear, and one on each side of the vehicle.

If your vehicle has cargo tanks that are used to carry hazardous materials, you must stop before crossing railroad tracks. This is true whether the tanks are full or empty.

If you are involved in an accident while carrying hazardous materials, it is your responsibility as the driver to keep people away from the scene; limit the spread of material if you can safely do so; inform emergency response personnel of the dangers posed by the materials; and provide emergency personnel with the shipping papers and emergency response information. Unless you have protective equipment and the necessary training, do not try to fight hazardous materials fires yourself.

If you are experiencing a truck fire, you should not attempt to open trailer doors without first feeling the doors to see if they are hot. If the doors are hot, there may be a cargo fire. In this case, leave the doors closed because opening the doors could worsen the fire by supplying it with more oxygen.

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.

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.

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

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.

Information about hazardous chemicals is found in the Emergency Response Guide (ERG) provided by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The ERG is indexed by the proper shipping names and identification numbers of substances.

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.

If you are experiencing a truck fire, you should not attempt to open trailer doors without first feeling the doors to see if they are hot. If the doors are hot, there may be a cargo fire. Leave the doors closed if there is a cargo fire.

When carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you should not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building, unless you are parking for a short period of time while performing an operational necessity, like refueling.

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."

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

The shipper of hazardous materials is responsible for packaging, marking, and labeling the materials properly. It is a good idea for the driver to ensure the materials are properly labeled.

When required, hazardous materials placards must be placed on the front, rear, and both sides of a vehicle.