Texas CDL Hazmat cheat sheet
Texas CDL Hazmat · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Hazardous Materials Regulations and Definitions
Hazmat is a material meeting any DOT hazard class definition that could adversely affect safety in transportation; 49 CFR Parts 100-185 govern it.
Nine hazard classes: 1 Explosives, 2 Gases, 3 Flammable/Combustible Liquids, 4 Flammable Solids, 5 Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides, 6 Toxic/Infectious, 7 Radioactive, 8 Corrosives, 9 Miscellaneous.
Division 1.1-1.6 and 2.1-2.3 subdivide classes; the division number, not just the class, drives packaging and placarding rules.
Hazardous material shipper means the person who offers the material for transport; the carrier is the person who transports it.
A reportable quantity (RQ) is the amount of a hazardous substance released that triggers notification under CERCLA; RQs appear in the Hazardous Substance Table.
Forbidden materials may not be offered or transported at all; the Hazardous Materials Table lists them with a forbidden entry.
A material is hazardous waste when it meets a listed or characteristic waste definition and is offered for transport to disposal.
Limited quantity and excepted quantity reliefs reduce marking, labeling, and shipping paper requirements but never eliminate the driver's safety obligations.
Communication Rules: Shipping Papers, Marking, Labeling, Placarding
Shipping paper order: basic description = proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, and packing group (PG) in that sequence.
Emergency response telephone number must appear on the shipping paper and must be monitored at all times the material is in transport.
Shipping papers must be within the driver's immediate reach while driving and kept in the cab, or in a pouch on the driver's door if outside the cab.
Marking: proper shipping name and UN/NA number on packages; the UN number goes in front of or above the proper shipping name on non-bulk packages.
Labels are the diamond-shaped hazard class labels on packages; placards are the larger diamonds affixed to the vehicle.
Placarding is required for 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weight of a class when Table 2 applies; Table 1 materials require placards in any quantity.
DANGER placard may be used for two or more Table 2 classes at 1,001 lbs or more combined, but not for Table 1 or 1.1-1.3 explosives.
The ID number may be shown on a placard or on orange panels; if the ID is on the placard, no separate orange panel is required.
Loading and Unloading Hazardous Materials
Never load Division 1.1 or 1.2 explosives with detonators or other initiating devices in the same vehicle.
Cyanides and acids must not be loaded together; contact generates lethal hydrogen cyanide gas.
Keep oxidizing materials separated from flammable liquids and combustible materials during loading.
Do not load hazmat with food or animal feed unless the packages are separated so contamination cannot occur.
Secure packages against shifting: blocking and bracing must prevent movement that could puncture, break, or spill containers.
Before loading, inspect containers for leaks, damage, or missing closures; reject leaking or damaged packages.
Cargo heaters or other heat sources must be off when loading materials that could be ignited by heat.
A vehicle carrying hazmat must be attended while loaded; unattended means the driver is not within view and able to move it.
Bulk Packages and Cargo Tanks
A bulk package holds more than 119 gallons liquid, more than 882 pounds solid, or more than 1,000 pounds water capacity for a gas.
Cargo tanks must be marked with the proper shipping name and the UN/NA number on both sides and the rear.
Tank vehicles require placards on all four sides (front placard not required for certain configurations but side and rear always).
Before loading, verify the tank is the correct specification for the material and that its test and inspection dates are current.
A cargo tank must have valid external visual inspection and pressure test dates; expired tests mean the tank cannot be loaded.
Loading must leave outage (ullage) space in liquid cargo tanks to allow for expansion; never fill to the top.
Cargo tank piping and valves must be closed and secured before the vehicle moves; check for leaks at the dome and discharge points.
A portable tank must be secured to the vehicle and its valves protected; check the specification plate and markings before loading.
Driving and Parking Rules for Hazardous Materials
Never smoke or carry a lit smoking device within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying Class 3 flammable liquids or Class 2.1 flammable gases.
Parking: keep a hazmat vehicle at least 5 feet from the traveled portion of the roadway when parked for any reason.
When parked, set the parking brake, place the transmission in gear or park, and chock the wheels if the vehicle is loaded.
Do not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, dwelling, or place of public assembly when carrying explosives.
Do not park a vehicle carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives within 5 feet of the roadway; keep it attended.
Reduce speed and increase following distance; braking distances increase with heavy bulk loads and shifting liquid surge.
Secure all hatches, valves, and closures before moving; check mirrors and walk around after loading.
Never leave a placarded vehicle unattended unless it is secured and the area is safe; an unattended hazmat vehicle is a security risk.
Emergency Response and Incident Procedures
First action at an incident: stop, secure the scene, and get upwind and uphill; do not approach a leaking or burning hazmat vehicle.
Use the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): identify the material by the UN/NA number, then find the guide number for initial isolation and protective action distances.
Green pages of the ERG give initial isolation and protective action distances for selected materials; the orange pages give the response guide.
Isolate the scene, notify dispatch and emergency services with the material name, UN number, and quantity, and give the shipping paper to responders.
For a fire involving hazmat, do not fight it unless trained and equipped; withdraw and let responders handle it.
If a spill occurs, stop the leak if safe, contain the spill with absorbent or dikes, and prevent it from reaching drains or waterways.
Report a release of a reportable quantity to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 as soon as practical.
Never eat, drink, or smoke near a spill; wash exposed skin and change contaminated clothing.
Hazardous Materials Endorsement Requirements and Security Threat Assessment
The H endorsement is required to drive a vehicle carrying placarded amounts of hazardous materials.
To get the H endorsement, the driver must pass a knowledge test and a TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA).
The STA includes fingerprinting and a criminal history, immigration status, and terrorism watch-list check.
The H endorsement STA is valid for five years; renewal requires a new assessment before expiration.
A driver may not hold an H endorsement if disqualified by certain felony convictions, and must report disqualifying events.
The endorsement is added to the CDL and appears on the license; carrying the CDL with the H endorsement is required while driving.
Drivers must self-report certain arrests or convictions for disqualifying offenses to the employer within prescribed time limits.
The H endorsement knowledge test covers hazmat regulations, communication rules, loading, and emergency response.
Special Hazards and Other Regulated Materials
Class 7 radioactive materials require special handling, package integrity checks, and dose-rate and contamination limits.
Division 6.2 infectious substances require triple packaging and are often handled under special carrier procedures.
Class 8 corrosives can destroy skin and metal; keep them separated from other cargo and check for leaks.
Class 2.1 flammable gases are heavier than air and can collect in low areas; keep ignition sources away.
Class 5.1 oxidizers can intensify fire and react violently with organic materials; segregate from flammables.
Elevated temperature materials are transported hot and can ignite cargo or cause burns; do not touch tanks or piping.
Materials poisonous by inhalation (PIH) require special routing, emergency response information, and heightened security.
Never transport a material whose hazards you do not understand; check the shipping paper and ERG before loading.
Tunnel, Railroad Crossing, and Routing Restrictions
Hazmat routing may be restricted by state and local rules; follow designated hazmat routes and posted tunnel restrictions.
Tunnels may prohibit placarded vehicles; check signs before entering and use an alternate route if prohibited.
At a railroad crossing, stop if required by the vehicle type or local law; look and listen before crossing.
Never stop on railroad tracks; if the vehicle stalls, get everyone out and move away from the tracks.
Some tunnels and bridges require a permit or escort for certain hazmat classes; plan the route in advance.
Follow posted weight and clearance limits; a bulk vehicle may exceed limits on restricted roads.
If a route restriction forces a detour, verify the alternate route also permits the hazmat being carried.
Report any routing restriction violation or emergency to dispatch and follow company procedures.
Inspection, Reporting, and Recordkeeping
Pre-trip inspection must include shipping papers, placards, labels, markings, and package condition.
Check that the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper is current and answered.
Shipping papers must be kept for the required retention period and made available to inspectors on request.
Reportable incidents include a release of a reportable quantity, a fire, or a serious injury involving hazmat.
The carrier must report certain incidents to DOT within 30 days using the incident report form.
Keep records of hazmat training for each employee; training must be repeated at least every three years.
Inspection records and cargo tank test records must be retained and available for review.
After any incident, preserve shipping papers, placards, and package evidence for investigation.
Hazardous Materials Regulations and Definitions
Hazmat is a material meeting any DOT hazard class definition that could adversely affect safety in transportation; 49 CFR Parts 100-185 govern it.
Nine hazard classes: 1 Explosives, 2 Gases, 3 Flammable/Combustible Liquids, 4 Flammable Solids, 5 Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides, 6 Toxic/Infectious, 7 Radioactive, 8 Corrosives, 9 Miscellaneous.
Division 1.1-1.6 and 2.1-2.3 subdivide classes; the division number, not just the class, drives packaging and placarding rules.
A reportable quantity (RQ) is the amount of a hazardous substance released that triggers notification under CERCLA.
Forbidden materials may not be offered or transported at all; the Hazardous Materials Table lists them with a forbidden entry.
Limited quantity and excepted quantity reliefs reduce marking, labeling, and shipping paper requirements but never eliminate the driver's safety obligations.
A material is hazardous waste when it meets a listed or characteristic waste definition and is offered for transport to disposal.
Communication Rules: Shipping Papers, Marking, Labeling, Placarding
Shipping paper order: basic description = proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, and packing group (PG) in that sequence.
Emergency response telephone number must appear on the shipping paper and must be monitored at all times the material is in transport.
Shipping papers must be within the driver's immediate reach while driving and kept in the cab, or in a pouch on the driver's door if outside the cab.
Marking: proper shipping name and UN/NA number on packages; the UN number goes in front of or above the proper shipping name on non-bulk packages.
Labels are the diamond-shaped hazard class labels on packages; placards are the larger diamonds affixed to the vehicle.
Placarding is required for 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weight of a class when Table 2 applies; Table 1 materials require placards in any quantity.
DANGER placard may be used for two or more Table 2 classes at 1,001 lbs or more combined, but not for Table 1 or 1.1-1.3 explosives.
The ID number may be shown on a placard or on orange panels; if the ID is on the placard, no separate orange panel is required.
Loading and Unloading Hazardous Materials
Never load Division 1.1 or 1.2 explosives with detonators or other initiating devices in the same vehicle.
Cyanides and acids must not be loaded together; contact generates lethal hydrogen cyanide gas.
Keep oxidizing materials separated from flammable liquids and combustible materials during loading.
Do not load hazmat with food or animal feed unless the packages are separated so contamination cannot occur.
Secure packages against shifting: blocking and bracing must prevent movement that could puncture, break, or spill containers.
Before loading, inspect containers for leaks, damage, or missing closures; reject leaking or damaged packages.
A vehicle carrying hazmat must be attended while loaded; unattended means the driver is not within view and able to move it.
Bulk Packages and Cargo Tanks
A bulk package holds more than 119 gallons liquid, more than 882 pounds solid, or more than 1,000 pounds water capacity for a gas.
Cargo tanks must be marked with the proper shipping name and the UN/NA number on both sides and the rear.
Tank vehicles require placards on all four sides (front placard not required for certain configurations but side and rear always).
Before loading, verify the tank is the correct specification for the material and that its test and inspection dates are current.
Loading must leave outage (ullage) space in liquid cargo tanks to allow for expansion; never fill to the top.
Cargo tank piping and valves must be closed and secured before the vehicle moves; check for leaks at the dome and discharge points.
A portable tank must be secured to the vehicle and its valves protected; check the specification plate and markings before loading.
Driving and Parking Rules for Hazardous Materials
Never smoke or carry a lit smoking device within 25 feet of a vehicle carrying Class 3 flammable liquids or Class 2.1 flammable gases.
Parking: keep a hazmat vehicle at least 5 feet from the traveled portion of the roadway when parked for any reason.
When parked, set the parking brake, place the transmission in gear or park, and chock the wheels if the vehicle is loaded.
Do not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, dwelling, or place of public assembly when carrying explosives.
Do not park a vehicle carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives within 5 feet of the roadway; keep it attended.
Reduce speed and increase following distance; braking distances increase with heavy bulk loads and shifting liquid surge.
Secure all hatches, valves, and closures before moving; check mirrors and walk around after loading.
Emergency Response and Incident Procedures
First action at an incident: stop, secure the scene, and get upwind and uphill; do not approach a leaking or burning hazmat vehicle.
Use the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): identify the material by the UN/NA number, then find the guide number for initial isolation and protective action distances.
Green pages of the ERG give initial isolation and protective action distances for selected materials; the orange pages give the response guide.
Isolate the scene, notify dispatch and emergency services with the material name, UN number, and quantity, and give the shipping paper to responders.
If a spill occurs, stop the leak if safe, contain the spill with absorbent or dikes, and prevent it from reaching drains or waterways.
Report a release of a reportable quantity to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 as soon as practical.
Never eat, drink, or smoke near a spill; wash exposed skin and change contaminated clothing.
Hazardous Materials Endorsement Requirements and Security Threat Assessment
The H endorsement is required to drive a vehicle carrying placarded amounts of hazardous materials.
To get the H endorsement, the driver must pass a knowledge test and a TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA).
The STA includes fingerprinting and a criminal history, immigration status, and terrorism watch-list check.
The H endorsement STA is valid for five years; renewal requires a new assessment before expiration.
The endorsement is added to the CDL and appears on the license; carrying the CDL with the H endorsement is required while driving.
Drivers must self-report certain arrests or convictions for disqualifying offenses to the employer within prescribed time limits.
The H endorsement knowledge test covers hazmat regulations, communication rules, loading, and emergency response.
Special Hazards and Other Regulated Materials
Class 7 radioactive materials require special handling, package integrity checks, and dose-rate and contamination limits.
Division 6.2 infectious substances require triple packaging and are often handled under special carrier procedures.
Class 8 corrosives can destroy skin and metal; keep them separated from other cargo and check for leaks.
Class 2.1 flammable gases are heavier than air and can collect in low areas; keep ignition sources away.
Class 5.1 oxidizers can intensify fire and react violently with organic materials; segregate from flammables.
Materials poisonous by inhalation (PIH) require special routing, emergency response information, and heightened security.
Never transport a material whose hazards you do not understand; check the shipping paper and ERG before loading.
Tunnel, Railroad Crossing, and Routing Restrictions
Hazmat routing may be restricted by state and local rules; follow designated hazmat routes and posted tunnel restrictions.
Tunnels may prohibit placarded vehicles; check signs before entering and use an alternate route if prohibited.
At a railroad crossing, stop if required by the vehicle type or local law; look and listen before crossing.
Never stop on railroad tracks; if the vehicle stalls, get everyone out and move away from the tracks.
Some tunnels and bridges require a permit or escort for certain hazmat classes; plan the route in advance.
If a route restriction forces a detour, verify the alternate route also permits the hazmat being carried.
Report any routing restriction violation or emergency to dispatch and follow company procedures.
Inspection, Reporting, and Recordkeeping
Pre-trip inspection must include shipping papers, placards, labels, markings, and package condition.
Check that the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper is current and answered.
Shipping papers must be kept for the required retention period and made available to inspectors on request.
Reportable incidents include a release of a reportable quantity, a fire, or a serious injury involving hazmat.
The carrier must report certain incidents to DOT within 30 days using the incident report form.
Keep records of hazmat training for each employee; training must be repeated at least every three years.
After any incident, preserve shipping papers, placards, and package evidence for investigation.