Driving and Parking Rules for Hazardous Materials
This is the behind-the-wheel hazmat domain, drawn largely from 49 CFR Part 397. It tests parking, attendance, routing, and the extra driving rules that apply once the vehicle is placarded.
Parking (section 397.5)
- Never park within 5 feet of the traveled portion of a public street or highway.
- For Division 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 explosives, do not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, dwelling, or place where people work or gather unless a qualified person attends the vehicle.
- Choose a safe, uncongested location away from crowds and structures.
Attendance (section 397.7)
A vehicle carrying Division 1.1 through 1.3 explosives must never be left unattended; a qualified representative must stay with it unless it is parked in a designated safe haven. Other placarded loads should be attended or otherwise secured against tampering.
Driving rules
- Stop at railroad crossings when the vehicle is placarded (section 392.10).
- Check tires at least every 2 hours or 100 miles when carrying Division 1.1 through 1.3.
- Do not fuel with the engine running, and do not smoke near the vehicle.
- Follow designated hazmat routes, tunnel restrictions, and local bans; some tunnels prohibit placarded loads outright.
- Keep shipping papers and the carrier's written instruction document with a 24-hour phone number (section 397.19) within reach.
Worked example
You are carrying 2,000 lb of Class 3 flammable liquid and stop for the night. The vehicle is placarded, but constant attendance is not required for Class 3. You still may not park within 5 feet of the roadway, and the expected answer is a safe, off-street location.
Traps
Assuming every placarded load needs constant attendance; skipping the railroad-crossing stop; ignoring tunnel restrictions; fueling with the engine running; leaving a placarded vehicle on the shoulder.