New York CDL HazMat cheat sheet

A CDL hazmat endorsement requires a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment, a knowledge test on the hazmat material, and the endorsement on the license before any placarded load is driven; the endorsement is required for any vehicle carrying a quantity that requires placarding.

Placarding thresholds: 1,001 lb aggregate gross weight of Table 2 materials in one vehicle requires placards; any amount of a Table 1 material requires placards; 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives and 2.3 poison gas and 6.1 PG I poison require placards in any quantity.

The 1,001 lb rule applies to the aggregate gross weight of all hazardous materials in Table 2 categories in the vehicle, including the weight of the packaging; materials in Table 1 count at any amount and also count toward the 1,001 lb total.

A placard must show the hazard class/division number in the lower middle, the four-digit UN/NA identification number in the center for bulk packages, and the hazard name; placards are placed on both sides and both ends of the vehicle, and the ID number may be on an orange panel instead.

Shipping papers must accompany the shipment and be within reach while driving, kept in a pouch on the driver's door or in clear view on the seat; they must list the basic description: proper shipping name, hazard class/division, UN/NA ID number, and packing group, in that order.

Emergency response information must accompany the shipping paper: a guidebook page, an emergency response telephone number with a 24-hour contact, or a written emergency response plan; the shipper must provide 24-hour emergency response telephone number.

Segregation: cyanides and acids must not be loaded together, and acids must not be loaded with cyanides or other materials that release toxic gas when mixed; oxidizers must be kept apart from flammable materials; check the segregation table before loading.

Loading rules: never load hazardous materials in the passenger compartment or in a way that blocks exit; secure packages against movement; keep the vehicle attended or locked when carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives or poison gas, and never park within 5 feet of the traveled roadway or within 300 feet of an open fire.

Nine hazard classes: 1 Explosives, 2 Gases, 3 Flammable/Combustible Liquids, 4 Flammable Solids, 5 Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides, 6 Toxic/Infectious Substances, 7 Radioactive, 8 Corrosives, 9 Miscellaneous; divisions (e.g., 1.1, 2.3, 4.2) refine the hazard.

Class 2 divisions: 2.1 flammable gas, 2.2 non-flammable/non-toxic gas, 2.3 poison gas; Class 1 divisions 1.1-1.6 by mass explosion, projection, fire, and blast hazard; Class 6 divisions 6.1 toxic and 6.2 infectious.

A bulk package holds more than 119 gallons of liquid, more than 882 pounds of solid, or more than 1,000 pounds of gas; bulk packages require the UN/NA ID number displayed on the placard or orange panel.

Forbidden: smoking within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, and no smoking while loading or unloading; also no fueling with the engine running while carrying hazmat.

Parking rules: when carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, park at least 5 feet from the traveled roadway and never within 300 feet of an open fire; never park within 5 feet of the roadway when carrying any hazardous material.

Railroad crossing stops: vehicles carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 explosives, or any quantity of chlorine (UN1017), must stop before crossing, look both ways, and proceed only when clear; the stop applies at all railroad crossings.

Tunnel and route restrictions: hazardous materials may be banned from tunnels, bridges, and certain routes; a driver must know the route and follow posted restrictions, and some states require permits for certain quantities.

Incident reporting: call for help, keep people away, and report to authorities; the driver must provide the shipping paper and emergency response information to responders, and must not attempt cleanup unless trained and equipped.

Cargo tank vehicles: the endorsement covers tank vehicles; a tank endorsement (N) is separate from hazmat (H), and many hazmat loads in tanks require both; tank trucks must be marked with the UN/NA number and placards.

The hazmat endorsement knowledge test covers: the hazmat table, placarding, shipping papers, emergency response, loading/unloading, segregation, and incident reporting; the test is separate from the general CDL test.

Security requirements: drivers must watch for suspicious activity, report threats, and follow company security plans; the TSA threat assessment must be completed before the endorsement is issued and renewed periodically.

Marking: the proper shipping name and UN/NA number must appear on the shipping paper and on packages; non-bulk packages must be marked with the proper shipping name and ID number unless excepted.

The emergency response guidebook (ERG) is organized by UN/NA number and by material name; the guide page gives evacuation distances, protective clothing, and fire/health hazards; the orange section is the response guide.

Loading and unloading: set the parking brake, chock wheels, use the emergency brake, and keep the engine off during loading/unloading of flammable materials; bond and ground before transferring flammable liquids.

Cargo tank loading: check that valves are closed and secured, do not overfill, and check for leaks; the driver must know the tank's marked capacity and the outage (ullage) space to allow for expansion.

A driver must refuse to transport a hazardous material if the shipping paper is incomplete, the package is leaking or damaged, or the placards do not match the load; the driver is responsible for checking the shipment before driving.

Placard table logic: Table 1 materials (any amount) include 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 6.1 PG I, and certain others; Table 2 materials require placards at 1,001 lb aggregate gross weight; the placard table in the manual lists which materials fall in each table.

Dangerous placards: the DANGEROUS placard may be used for two or more Table 2 materials in the same vehicle when the aggregate is 1,001 lb or more, instead of individual placards, except for materials requiring specific placards.

The hazard class number on a placard must match the material's hazard class; the UN/NA number on the orange panel or placard must match the shipping paper; a mismatch is a violation and must be corrected before driving.

Shipping paper retention and emergency response: the shipping paper must be kept for 90 days after delivery by the shipper, and the driver must keep it accessible during transport; the emergency response phone number must be monitored at all times.

Hazmat incidents: report immediately to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 for releases of reportable quantities; the driver must also notify local authorities and the shipper.

The 25-foot smoking rule and the 5-foot parking rule are measured from the vehicle; no smoking within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, and no parking within 5 feet of the traveled roadway.

For Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives, the vehicle must be attended at all times or parked in a secure area; the driver must not leave the vehicle unattended unless it is locked and secured.

The hazmat endorsement requires a valid medical certificate and a clean driving record; a driver with a suspended license or certain convictions cannot hold the endorsement, and the endorsement must be renewed with a new TSA check.

The proper shipping name must be the one shown in the hazmat table, not a trade name; the shipping paper must show the basic description in the order: proper shipping name, hazard class/division, UN/NA ID number, packing group.

Packing groups: PG I great danger, PG II moderate danger, PG III minor danger; the packing group appears on the shipping paper after the ID number, and some materials have no packing group.

The hazard class/division on the shipping paper must match the placard and package markings; the UN/NA number is a four-digit number assigned to the material (e.g., UN1203 gasoline, UN1017 chlorine).

Loading segregation: never load Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives with detonators or other explosives unless approved; keep acids away from cyanides and other materials that react to form toxic gas.

Cargo heaters and engines: do not use cargo heaters or engine heat near flammable materials; keep the vehicle ventilated when carrying materials that give off vapors.

Tire and brake checks: check tires, brakes, and lights before each trip; a hazmat vehicle must be in safe condition, and the driver must check for leaks, loose closures, and damaged packages before loading.

The driver must know the emergency response procedures for the material being carried, including evacuation distances and first aid; the ERG guide page number should be noted on the shipping paper or known.

A hazmat endorsement holder must not transport hazardous materials in a vehicle that does not meet the placarding and marking requirements; the driver must verify placards, markings, and shipping papers before departure.

The hazmat table (Section 172.101) lists each material by proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, packing group, label codes, and special provisions; the driver should use the table to verify the shipping description.

Special provisions and exceptions: some materials are excepted from placarding or shipping paper requirements when in limited quantities or consumer commodities; the driver must check the shipping paper for the applicable exception.

The 1,001 lb placarding rule counts the gross weight of the packages, not just the material; the weight of the packaging and the material together count toward the threshold.

Placards must be readable from 50 feet and must be on both sides and both ends of the vehicle; placards must be removed or covered when the vehicle no longer carries the material.

The driver must carry the shipping paper in a location that is within reach while driving and must give it to emergency responders at an incident; the shipping paper must be legible and complete.

Incident reporting to the shipper: the driver must notify the shipper of any incident, and the shipper must file a written report with the DOT within 30 days for certain incidents.

The hazmat endorsement is required for any vehicle that requires placards, including a vehicle carrying 1,001 lb or more of Table 2 materials; a vehicle carrying less than 1,001 lb of Table 2 materials may not need placards but may still need shipping papers.

The driver must not transport a hazardous material that is leaking, damaged, or improperly marked; the driver must reject the shipment and notify the shipper if the package is not in proper condition.

The hazmat endorsement test includes questions on the hazard classes, placarding, shipping papers, emergency response, loading, and security; the test is taken at the DMV and requires a passing score.

The TSA security threat assessment includes fingerprinting and a background check; the endorsement is valid for five years and must be renewed with a new threat assessment.

The driver must follow the company security plan, including reporting suspicious persons or activity, and must not discuss the nature of the load with unauthorized persons.

The emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper must be monitored at all times during transport and must be a number that can be called collect or at no cost to the caller.

The driver must know the difference between a placard and a label: labels are on packages, placards are on vehicles; both use the same hazard class colors and symbols.

The hazmat endorsement does not authorize the driver to transport radioactive materials unless the driver has the radioactive materials endorsement (H) and meets additional requirements.

The driver must stop at railroad crossings when carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives or chlorine, and must look both ways and listen before proceeding; the stop is required even if the crossing has signals.

The driver must not smoke within 25 feet of a hazmat vehicle, and must not smoke while loading or unloading; the driver must also keep the engine off during fueling and loading of flammable materials.

The hazmat endorsement requires the driver to pass a knowledge test and a TSA background check; the driver must also have a valid medical certificate and a clean driving record.

The driver must check the shipping paper for the proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, and packing group before accepting the load; an incomplete shipping paper is a reason to refuse the load.

The driver must check that the placards match the material and that the placards are displayed on all four sides of the vehicle; missing or incorrect placards are a violation.

The driver must secure the load against movement and must not load hazardous materials in the passenger compartment; the load must be blocked and braced.

The driver must know the evacuation distances for the material being carried; the ERG provides initial isolation and protective action distances for toxic materials.

The driver must report a hazmat incident to the National Response Center and to local authorities, and must provide the shipping paper and emergency response information to responders.

The driver must not park within 5 feet of the traveled roadway when carrying hazardous materials, and must not park within 300 feet of an open fire when carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives.

The driver must keep the vehicle attended or locked when carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives or poison gas; the driver must not leave the vehicle unattended unless it is secured.

The hazmat endorsement test covers the hazardous materials regulations in 49 CFR Parts 171-180; the driver should know the requirements for shipping papers, placarding, marking, loading, and emergency response.

The driver must know the nine hazard classes and their divisions; the class number appears on the placard and shipping paper, and the division number appears for Class 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 materials.

The driver must know the placarding tables: Table 1 materials require placards in any quantity, and Table 2 materials require placards at 1,001 lb aggregate gross weight; the DANGEROUS placard may be used for two or more Table 2 materials.

The driver must know the shipping paper requirements: the basic description in order, the emergency response telephone number, and the shipper's certification; the shipping paper must be within reach while driving.

The driver must know the loading and segregation rules: keep acids away from cyanides, keep oxidizers away from flammables, and never load hazardous materials in the passenger compartment.

The driver must know the incident reporting requirements: notify the National Response Center, local authorities, and the shipper; provide the shipping paper and emergency response information to responders.

The driver must know the security requirements: follow the company security plan, report suspicious activity, and do not discuss the load with unauthorized persons.

The driver must know the parking and attendance rules: 5 feet from the roadway, 300 feet from an open fire for explosives, and attended or locked for Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives and poison gas.