Minnesota CDL HazMat cheat sheet

A HazMat endorsement (H) is required to drive a vehicle carrying hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding under 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart F, or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin under 42 CFR 73.

Minnesota requires the H endorsement applicant to pass the HazMat knowledge test, complete the TSA Security Threat Assessment (fingerprint-based background check) before the endorsement is issued, and pay the federal threat-assessment fee; the endorsement is valid for the same period as the license and the threat assessment must be renewed.

Placarding thresholds: 1,001 lb aggregate gross weight of Table 2 materials in one class; any amount of Table 1 materials; 1,001 lb of a Table 2 material loaded at one place and unloaded at one place; 2,205 lb of Table 2 materials in a transport vehicle for a single class; and 1.1 or more pounds of a hazardous material in a tank truck.

Placard the hazard class of the material, not the specific material name; a placard shows the class number at the bottom point of the diamond and the 4-digit UN/NA number may be displayed on the placard or on an orange panel for bulk packages.

Shipping papers must accompany the shipment, be within immediate reach of the driver while restrained by the seat belt, and be readily visible to a person entering the cab; they must show the proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, packing group, total quantity, and emergency response telephone number.

Emergency response information must accompany the shipping paper and include the nature of the hazard, fire/explosion/health hazards, and emergency response guidance; it may be on the shipping paper, a separate document, or a guidebook such as the ERG.

The Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) governs the proper shipping name, class/division, identification number, packing group, label codes, special provisions, packaging exceptions, quantity limits, and vessel stowage for each material.

HazMat classes: 1 Explosives (divisions 1.1-1.6), 2 Gases (2.1 flammable, 2.2 nonflammable, 2.3 toxic), 3 Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 4 Flammable Solids/Spontaneously Combustible/Dangerous When Wet, 5 Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides, 6 Toxic/Infectious Substances, 7 Radioactive, 8 Corrosives, 9 Miscellaneous.

Segregation and loading rules: do not load cyanides or acids with acids if they may react, keep oxidizers away from flammable materials, do not load Division 1.1 or 1.2 explosives with detonators, and never load poisons or infectious substances with food or animal feed.

Cargo tank vehicles must meet 49 CFR Part 178 specifications and carry the specification plate; the driver must know the tank's design, the material's compatibility, and the required outage (ullage) space to allow for expansion.

A bulk package is a packaging (other than a vessel or barge) with capacity greater than 119 gallons for liquids, greater than 882 pounds for solids, or greater than 1,000 pounds water capacity for gases.

HazMat communication requirements include shipping papers, package markings, labels, placards, and emergency response information; all must be consistent with each other and with the material actually loaded.

When a HazMat load is refused or rejected, the carrier must retain the shipping paper and the material must be handled under the same rules; a driver may not accept a shipment whose papers are missing required information.

Parking rules for HazMat: do not park within 5 feet of a roadway, do not park near an open flame, and for Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives do not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or place where people congregate.

Smoking and open flames are prohibited within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying Class 3 flammable liquids, Class 2.1 flammable gases, or Division 4.1/4.2 materials during loading or unloading.

A driver must stop and check tires, brakes, and cargo securement, and must inspect for leaks, at the start of the trip and every 2 hours or 100 miles (whichever comes first) for HazMat loads.

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is organized by UN/NA number (yellow pages), material name (blue pages), and hazard class (orange pages); the green pages give initial isolation and protective action distances for selected materials.

Incident reporting: a person in possession of a hazardous material must report a release to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) and to the appropriate state/local authorities when the release meets reportable quantity thresholds or involves death, injury, evacuation, or a major transportation disruption.

For radioactive materials, the driver must know the transport index, category of the package label (I-WHITE, II-YELLOW, III-YELLOW), and the exclusive-use rules for highway route controlled quantities (HRCQ).

A HazMat endorsement holder must not transport a hazardous material that is not permitted in the vehicle's packaging, and must verify the package's specification marking (UN, DOT, or specification number) matches the material's authorized packaging.

Security requirements: carriers must have a written security plan for large quantities of certain materials, drivers must be trained in security awareness, and suspicious persons or activities must be reported to the carrier and to law enforcement.

Training requirements under 49 CFR 172.704: general awareness/familiarization, function-specific training, safety training, and security awareness; training must be repeated at least every 3 years and documented.

The DOT HazMat employee training record must include the employee's name, completion date, training materials, trainer's name, and a description of the training; the driver must carry the CDL with the H endorsement and be able to present training documentation to an inspector.

Loading and unloading: set the parking brake, use wheel chocks, ground and bond containers when transferring flammable liquids, keep fire extinguishers accessible, and never leave a HazMat vehicle unattended while loading or unloading.

A driver must not transport hazardous materials in a vehicle with a leaking package, and must refuse a shipment if the packaging is damaged or the required markings/labels are missing, unless the carrier can properly re-pack or over-pack it.

Driving rules: reduce speed in curves and on wet or icy roads, avoid sudden braking, and increase following distance because a HazMat vehicle is heavy and may have a high center of gravity.

Railroad crossings: for a vehicle carrying a hazardous material requiring placarding, stop before the crossing, look and listen, and do not cross until the way is clear; do not stop on tracks.

Tunnels and bridges: obey posted restrictions, and for Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives or radioactive HRCQ, avoid tunnels and heavily populated areas when an alternate route exists.

The CDL manual HazMat section is the source for Minnesota's H endorsement knowledge test; the test covers the Hazardous Materials Table, placarding, shipping papers, loading, and emergency response.

A driver with a HazMat endorsement must notify the employer and the state within 30 days of any change in the driver's name or address, and must report any suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the license.

The TSA security threat assessment disqualifies applicants with certain felony convictions, immigration violations, or outstanding warrants; an appeal process exists and the applicant may request a waiver.

Minnesota CDL holders must self-certify their driving type (interstate or intrastate, non-excepted or excepted) and provide a current medical examiner's certificate; the H endorsement requires a valid medical certification.

The H endorsement is not required for farm vehicles carrying small quantities of agricultural chemicals within the placarding thresholds, but is required whenever placards are required or a select agent is transported.

Placard exceptions: the 1,001 lb rule does not apply to Table 1 materials, bulk packages, or materials requiring placarding under other rules; a placard may be displayed only for the material actually loaded.

A vehicle transporting 1,001 lb or more of a Table 2 material in one class must display placards for that class; if multiple classes are loaded, each class meeting the threshold must be placarded.

The DANGEROUS placard may be used instead of specific placards for domestic shipments of two or more Table 2 materials in non-bulk packages when the aggregate is less than 1,001 lb, but not for bulk or Table 1 materials.

Labels on packages must be the correct hazard label for the material and must be placed on the package so they are visible; a package with a damaged or missing label must not be shipped.

Shipping paper retention: the carrier must keep the shipping paper for 2 years after the material is accepted, and must make it available to DOT on request.

A driver must not accept a HazMat shipment without a shipping paper that includes an emergency response telephone number monitored at all times, and must verify the number is current and reachable.

For a material with a subsidiary hazard, the shipping paper must show the primary hazard class first and the subsidiary hazard in parentheses; labels must show both primary and subsidiary hazards.

The proper shipping name must be the one shown in the Hazardous Materials Table, not a trade name or a common name, and must be written in the order shown in the table.

If a leak or spill occurs, the driver must stop, secure the area, warn others, notify authorities, and use the ERG to determine initial isolation distances; do not attempt cleanup unless trained and equipped.

For a fire involving a HazMat load, the driver should not fight the fire unless the material is a small fire and the driver is trained and has the proper extinguisher; otherwise evacuate and call for help.

The driver must know the location of the fire extinguisher (minimum 10 BC rating for HazMat vehicles) and must inspect it before each trip.

A driver must not smoke or allow smoking within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying flammable materials, and must not use a cell phone while driving except hands-free as allowed by law.

After an incident, the driver must provide the shipping papers and emergency response information to responders and must not move the vehicle unless directed by authorities.

The ERG's initial isolation distances are measured from the edge of the spill; protective action distances may be larger and depend on time of day and weather.

A driver must report a spill to the carrier immediately and must complete any required written incident report; the carrier must notify DOT if the incident meets the reporting criteria.

The H endorsement test is a knowledge test only; there is no skills test specific to HazMat, but the driver must hold a valid CDL and pass the general knowledge and air brake tests as applicable.

Minnesota requires the HazMat applicant to complete the TSA application online or at a driver exam station, be fingerprinted, and pay the fee; the endorsement is not issued until the threat assessment is cleared.

The H endorsement is added to the CDL and appears on the license; the driver must carry the license and present it to inspectors on request.

A driver with a HazMat endorsement must not transport a material that is forbidden by the Hazardous Materials Table or by the carrier's operating authority.

The carrier must provide the driver with written route plans for certain high-hazard materials, and the driver must follow the route unless an emergency requires deviation.

The driver must know the difference between a bulk and non-bulk package and must ensure the vehicle's cargo tank is authorized for the material being loaded.

The H endorsement requires the driver to be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce and to meet the English language proficiency requirement.

The Hazardous Materials Table columns: (1) symbols (+, A, W, I, etc.), (2) proper shipping name, (3) hazard class/division, (4) UN/NA ID number, (5) packing group, (6) label codes, (7) special provisions, (8) packaging exceptions, (9) non-bulk packaging, (10) bulk packaging, (11) quantity limitations, (12) vessel stowage.

The plus sign (+) in column 1 means the material is a domestic material that may not be shipped internationally under that name; the letter A means the material may be shipped under an alternate name.

The letter W means the material is a hazardous waste and must be shipped under the waste manifest rules; the letter I means the material is an infectious substance.

A material's packing group (I, II, III) indicates the degree of danger: I is great danger, II is medium danger, III is minor danger.

Special provisions in column 7 may impose additional requirements such as quantity limits, packaging restrictions, or communication requirements.

Quantity limitations in column 11 apply to passenger aircraft and cargo aircraft only; they do not apply to highway transport but indicate the material's relative hazard.

The hazard class number appears at the bottom of the placard; the UN/NA number may appear on the placard or on an orange panel next to it for bulk shipments.

The driver must inspect the vehicle before loading: check for leaks, damaged packaging, and proper placards; do not load a leaking package.

Load HazMat packages so they cannot move during transport; use dunnage, blocking, and tiedowns, and do not stack packages in a way that could damage labels or packaging.

Do not load food, animal feed, or edible products in the same vehicle with poisons, infectious substances, or other materials that could contaminate them.

Separate incompatible materials: acids from cyanides, oxidizers from flammables, and explosives from detonators; use the segregation table in 49 CFR 177.848.

When loading or unloading flammable liquids, ground the vehicle and bond the container to prevent static sparks; use only approved pumps and hoses.

Do not leave a HazMat vehicle unattended while loading or unloading unless the vehicle is secured and the cargo is protected; set the parking brake and chock the wheels.

After unloading, remove placards that are no longer required and ensure the vehicle is clean before loading a different material.

The driver must know the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper and must be able to reach it; the number must be monitored at all times the material is in transit.

The ERG's yellow-bordered pages list materials by UN/NA number; the blue-bordered pages list them by name; the orange-bordered pages give guidance by hazard class.

The green-bordered pages give initial isolation and protective action distances for selected materials; these distances are for the initial response and may be adjusted by responders.

For a spill, the driver should move upwind and uphill, warn others, and call 911 and the National Response Center; do not attempt to clean up unless trained.

A driver must not eat, drink, or smoke while handling HazMat, and must wash hands after handling packages.

The driver must report any incident involving a HazMat release to the carrier and must complete the required incident report; the carrier must notify DOT if the release meets the reportable quantity.

The H endorsement is required for any driver who operates a vehicle carrying hazardous materials that require placarding, or any quantity of a select agent or toxin.

The endorsement requires a TSA security threat assessment, which includes fingerprinting and a criminal history check; the assessment must be renewed every 5 years.

The H endorsement knowledge test covers the HazMat section of the CDL manual; the applicant must pass with a score of at least 80%.

The driver must carry the CDL with the H endorsement and must present it to inspectors on request; the endorsement is not valid if the license is expired or suspended.

The driver must notify the employer within 24 hours of any arrest or conviction for a disqualifying offense, and must notify the state within 30 days of a name or address change.

The H endorsement may be revoked if the driver fails to complete the required training or if the TSA threat assessment is not renewed.

The driver must follow the carrier's security plan and must report suspicious activities to the carrier and to law enforcement.

The driver must know the difference between a hazard class and a division: Class 1 has divisions 1.1 through 1.6, Class 2 has divisions 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, and Class 4 has divisions 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.

Division 6.2 infectious substances are further divided into Category A (high risk) and Category B (low risk); Category A requires a UN2814 or UN2900 marking and a hazard label.

Class 7 radioactive materials are assigned a transport index (TI) and a category label: I-WHITE, II-YELLOW, or III-YELLOW; the TI must not exceed 50 for a single package unless exclusive use is authorized.

Class 8 corrosives include acids and bases; the driver must know that mixing acids and bases can cause a violent reaction and must keep them separated.

Class 9 miscellaneous materials include environmentally hazardous substances, lithium batteries, and dry ice; some Class 9 materials require placards under the 1,001 lb rule.

A material's hazard class is determined by its physical and chemical properties, not by its trade name; the Hazardous Materials Table lists the class for each proper shipping name.

The driver must not accept a shipment if the hazard class on the shipping paper does not match the label on the package.

The driver must use the proper shipping name from the Hazardous Materials Table; a trade name or a common name is not acceptable unless it is also listed as a proper shipping name.

The shipping paper must show the total quantity of the material by weight or volume, and the unit of measure must be shown.

The emergency response telephone number must be a number that is monitored at all times the material is in transit; a number that is only answered during business hours is not acceptable.

The shipping paper must include the hazard class or division number, the UN/NA identification number, and the packing group for each material.

The shipping paper must be legible and must be written in English; it may be in an electronic format if it can be produced immediately on request.

The driver must keep the shipping paper in a location that is within immediate reach while restrained by the seat belt, and must be able to produce it for an inspector.

The shipping paper must be retained by the carrier for 2 years after the material is accepted.

The driver must inspect the vehicle's tires, brakes, lights, and cargo securement before each trip and every 2 hours or 100 miles for HazMat loads.

The driver must check for leaks, damaged packaging, and missing labels or placards during the inspection.

The driver must ensure the fire extinguisher is charged and accessible, and must know how to use it.

The driver must ensure the vehicle has the required emergency equipment: fire extinguisher, spare fuses, warning devices (triangles or flares), and a flashlight.

The driver must not transport a HazMat load in a vehicle with a defective exhaust system or with any source of ignition near flammable materials.

The driver must check the cargo tank's specification plate and ensure the tank is authorized for the material being loaded.

The driver must ensure the vehicle's placards are correct for the material and are displayed on all four sides (front, back, and both sides) as required.

The driver must stop before railroad crossings when carrying a placarded HazMat load, look and listen, and cross only when the way is clear.

The driver must not stop on railroad tracks or within 5 feet of the nearest rail.

The driver must obey all posted tunnel and bridge restrictions and must avoid tunnels and heavily populated areas when carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives or radioactive HRCQ.

The driver must reduce speed in curves and on wet or icy roads, and must increase following distance because a HazMat vehicle is heavy and may have a high center of gravity.

The driver must not use a cell phone while driving except hands-free as allowed by law, and must not smoke within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying flammable materials.

The driver must not park within 5 feet of a roadway, near an open flame, or within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or place where people congregate when carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives.

The driver must follow the carrier's written route plan for high-hazard materials and must deviate only in an emergency.

The driver must report a release to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 and to local authorities when the release meets reportable quantity thresholds or involves death, injury, evacuation, or a major transportation disruption.

The driver must provide the shipping paper and emergency response information to responders and must not move the vehicle unless directed by authorities.

The driver must move upwind and uphill from a spill, warn others, and use the ERG to determine initial isolation distances.

The driver must not attempt cleanup unless trained and equipped; the driver should wait for responders.

The driver must complete any required written incident report and must report the incident to the carrier immediately.

The carrier must notify DOT if the incident meets the reporting criteria; the driver must cooperate with the investigation.

The driver must not smoke or use a cell phone near a spill of flammable materials.

The H endorsement requires the driver to pass a knowledge test on the HazMat section of the CDL manual, complete the TSA security threat assessment, and pay the required fees.

The driver must be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce and must meet the English language proficiency requirement.

The driver must hold a valid CDL and must not have a disqualifying offense on their record.

The driver must self-certify their driving type and provide a current medical examiner's certificate.

The driver must complete the required HazMat training every 3 years and must keep a training record.

The driver must notify the employer and the state within 30 days of a name or address change.

The driver must report any arrest or conviction for a disqualifying offense within 24 hours.

The Hazardous Materials Table is in 49 CFR 172.101 and lists the proper shipping name, class, ID number, packing group, label codes, special provisions, packaging exceptions, non-bulk and bulk packaging, quantity limitations, and vessel stowage for each material.

The plus sign (+) means the material is a domestic material that may not be shipped internationally under that name.

The letter A means the material may be shipped under an alternate name.

The letter W means the material is a hazardous waste and must be shipped under the waste manifest rules.

The letter I means the material is an infectious substance.

The packing group indicates the degree of danger: I is great danger, II is medium danger, III is minor danger.

The special provisions in column 7 may impose additional requirements such as quantity limits, packaging restrictions, or communication requirements.

The driver must know the placarding thresholds: 1,001 lb aggregate gross weight of Table 2 materials in one class, any amount of Table 1 materials, 1,001 lb loaded at one place and unloaded at one place, 2,205 lb of Table 2 materials for a single class, and 1.1 lb or more of a hazardous material in a tank truck.

The DANGEROUS placard may be used instead of specific placards for domestic shipments of two or more Table 2 materials in non-bulk packages when the aggregate is less than 1,001 lb, but not for bulk or Table 1 materials.

A placard shows the hazard class number at the bottom point of the diamond; the UN/NA number may be displayed on the placard or on an orange panel for bulk packages.

The driver must display placards on all four sides of the vehicle (front, back, and both sides) as required.

The driver must remove placards that are no longer required after unloading and must ensure the vehicle is clean before loading a different material.

The driver must not display a placard for a material that is not actually loaded.

The driver must ensure the placards are legible and are not obscured by dirt or damage.

The driver must know the difference between a bulk and non-bulk package: a bulk package has capacity greater than 119 gallons for liquids, greater than 882 pounds for solids, or greater than 1,000 pounds water capacity for gases.

The driver must ensure the cargo tank is authorized for the material being loaded and that the specification plate is correct.

The driver must know the required outage (ullage) space for the material to allow for expansion.

The driver must ground and bond containers when transferring flammable liquids to prevent static sparks.

The driver must use only approved pumps and hoses for loading and unloading.

The driver must set the parking brake and chock the wheels before loading or unloading.

The driver must not leave a HazMat vehicle unattended while loading or unloading unless the vehicle is secured and the cargo is protected.

The driver must know the segregation rules: do not load cyanides or acids with acids if they may react, keep oxidizers away from flammable materials, do not load Division 1.1 or 1.2 explosives with detonators, and never load poisons or infectious substances with food or animal feed.

The driver must use the segregation table in 49 CFR 177.848 to determine which materials may be loaded together.

The driver must separate incompatible materials by distance or by a barrier.

The driver must not load food, animal feed, or edible products in the same vehicle with poisons, infectious substances, or other materials that could contaminate them.

The driver must load HazMat packages so they cannot move during transport, using dunnage, blocking, and tiedowns.

The driver must not stack packages in a way that could damage labels or packaging.

The driver must inspect the vehicle before loading and must not load a leaking package.

The driver must know the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper and must be able to reach it; the number must be monitored at all times the material is in transit.

The ERG's yellow-bordered pages list materials by UN/NA number; the blue-bordered pages list them by name; the orange-bordered pages give guidance by hazard class.

The green-bordered pages give initial isolation and protective action distances for selected materials.

The driver must move upwind and uphill from a spill, warn others, and call 911 and the National Response Center.

The driver must not attempt cleanup unless trained and equipped.

The driver must provide the shipping paper and emergency response information to responders.

The driver must complete any required written incident report and must report the incident to the carrier immediately.

The H endorsement requires the driver to pass a knowledge test on the HazMat section of the CDL manual, complete the TSA security threat assessment, and pay the required fees.

The driver must be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce and must meet the English language proficiency requirement.

The driver must hold a valid CDL and must not have a disqualifying offense on their record.

The driver must self-certify their driving type and provide a current medical examiner's certificate.

The driver must complete the required HazMat training every 3 years and must keep a training record.

The driver must notify the employer and the state within 30 days of a name or address change.

The driver must report any arrest or conviction for a disqualifying offense within 24 hours.