7CDLFree CDL permit study for every state
Content preview, before public launch
Course › Hazardous Materials (H)

Driving and parking rules for hazardous materials

Hazardous Materials (H)5 minManual section 9.6

Where you park, who watches the truck, what you smoke near, which route you take and when you stop at railroad tracks are all controlled by the hazmat rules. Many test questions come from this section's numbers: 5 feet, 300 feet, 100 feet, 25 feet, 15–50 feet.

Parking with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives

Never park within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road.

Apart from quick stops you truly need (like fueling), keep at least 300 feet away when parked from any bridge, tunnel or building, any spot where crowds collect, and any open fire.

When work forces you to park, keep it short. Stay off private land unless the owner understands the risk.

The parked truck always needs a watcher. Handing that job to another person is allowed only on shipper, carrier or consignee property.

You may leave the vehicle unattended only in a safe haven: an approved place for parking unattended vehicles loaded with explosives, usually designated by local authorities.

Other placarded vehicles and attending

A placarded vehicle not carrying 1.1–1.3 explosives may stop closer than 5 feet to the travel lanes only when the job demands it, and only for a short time. On a public road or its shoulder it must be watched at all times. Never drop a hazmat trailer and walk away from it on a public street. Keep 300 feet or more from any open fire when parked.

The person attending a placarded vehicle must:

  • stay awake inside the vehicle (the sleeper berth does not count), OR stand no more than 100 feet away with nothing blocking the view,
  • know the hazards of the materials,
  • know what to do in emergencies,
  • be able to move the vehicle if needed.

No flares, no smoking, refueling and fire extinguisher

No flares! For a breakdown, warn traffic with reflective triangles or red electric lights. Flames such as flares or fusees are never allowed near a tank used for Class 3 or Division 2.1, loaded or empty, or a vehicle loaded with 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives.

No smoking: keep any lit cigarette, cigar or pipe at least 25 feet from a placarded Class 3 or Division 2.1 cargo tank. The same 25-foot rule applies around any vehicle carrying Class 1, Class 3, Division 4.1, Division 4.2 or Class 5.

Refuel with the engine off. Turn off the engine before fueling a vehicle with hazmat. Someone must always be at the nozzle, controlling the fuel flow.

Fire extinguisher: a placarded truck's tractor (power unit) must carry an extinguisher rated UL 10 B:C or higher.

Tires, routes and papers for explosives

Tires: keep them properly inflated. Look over every tire when a trip starts and every time you park. The only acceptable way to check pressure is a tire pressure gauge. A flat or leaking tire may be driven only as far as the closest safe spot for repair. Remove an overheated tire and place it a safe distance from the vehicle; do not drive until you fix the cause. The parking and attending rules still apply while you work on tires.

Routes and permits: some states and counties require permits and limit routes. Local rules change a lot, and checking them is the driver's duty: learn whether permits or set routes apply and carry the papers before leaving. Carrier drivers ask the dispatcher; independent truckers check with state agencies on the new route. Some places ban hazmat in tunnels, on bridges or other roads.

With placards on, stay out of crowded areas, busy city centers, tunnels, tight streets and alleys; take a less convenient route unless none exists. Never drive near open fires unless you can pass safely without stopping.

Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 explosives: a written route plan is required, and you must stick to it. The carrier prepares it in advance and gives you a copy. If you load the explosives away from your company's terminal, you may make the plan yourself, in writing, ahead of time, and keep it with you. Hand explosives only to people authorized to take them, or place them in a locked explosives storage room.

For explosives, the carrier must also give you a copy of FMCSR Part 397 and written instructions for delays or accidents: names and phone numbers of people to contact, the nature of the explosives, and precautions for fires, accidents or leaks. You must sign a receipt. While driving you must have: shipping papers, written emergency instructions, written route plan, and a copy of FMCSR Part 397.

Placarded radioactive materials: the carrier must choose the safest route, then tell the driver about the materials and show the route plan.

Chlorine equipment and railroad crossings

Chlorine cargo tank drivers must carry an approved gas mask and an emergency kit for stopping leaks at the dome cover plate fittings.

Stop before a railroad crossing if your vehicle:

  • is placarded,
  • carries any amount of chlorine,
  • has cargo tanks used for hazmat, loaded or empty.

Come to a stop 15 to 50 feet short of the closest rail. Move ahead only once you know no train is near and you can get all the way across without stopping. Do not shift gears while crossing.

References and scope

The topic reference is listed below. Sources support verification; the lesson itself is here. The current content needs technical and language review before public launch.

Manual reference: 9.6

Official CDL handbook · Utah ↗StatesOur editorial approach

Put it into practice

Educational questions with explanations. The answer review also works without the interactive quiz.

Preparing your questions…

Review questions with answers

  1. How close to the traveled part of the road may you park with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives?
    1. Within 5 feet if brief
    2. Within 10 feet
    3. Never within 5 feet
    4. Anywhere on the shoulder
    Show answer
    Never within 5 feet

    With 1.1–1.3 explosives, always park at least 5 feet from the travel lanes.

  2. Hauling 1.1–1.3 explosives, what is the closest you may park to a bridge, tunnel or building (other than brief stops like fueling)?
    1. Not within 300 feet
    2. Not within 100 feet
    3. Not within 50 feet
    4. Not within 1,000 feet
    Show answer
    Not within 300 feet

    Stay 300 feet or more from bridges, tunnels, buildings, crowds and open fires.

  3. What is a safe haven?
    1. Any truck stop
    2. A rest area with a guard dog
    3. The carrier's office
    4. An approved place to park unattended vehicles loaded with explosives
    Show answer
    An approved place to park unattended vehicles loaded with explosives

    A safe haven is an approved place for unattended explosives vehicles, usually designated by local authorities.

  4. With 1.1–1.3 explosives, you may let someone else watch your parked vehicle only when it is:
    1. At a public rest area
    2. On the shipper's, carrier's or consignee's property
    3. On a city street
    4. At a fuel station
    Show answer
    On the shipper's, carrier's or consignee's property

    Someone else may watch it only on shipper, carrier or consignee property.

  5. A placarded vehicle not carrying explosives may park within 5 feet of the traveled road:
    1. Any time
    2. Never
    3. Only if your work requires it, and only briefly
    4. Only at night
    Show answer
    Only if your work requires it, and only briefly

    Only if work requires it, briefly, and someone must watch it.

  6. You may uncouple a trailer containing hazmat and leave it on a public street.
    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer
    False

    False. A hazmat trailer must never be dropped and left on a public street.

  7. A person attending a placarded vehicle may be:
    1. Asleep in the sleeper berth
    2. Inside the truck stop restaurant
    3. 300 feet away
    4. In the vehicle awake (not in the sleeper), or within 100 feet with a clear view
    Show answer
    In the vehicle awake (not in the sleeper), or within 100 feet with a clear view

    The attendant must be awake in the vehicle (not sleeper) or within 100 feet with clear view.

  8. Which is a requirement for the person attending a placarded vehicle?
    1. Must hold a hazmat endorsement
    2. Must be able to move the vehicle if needed
    3. Must be the vehicle owner
    4. Must have a radio
    Show answer
    Must be able to move the vehicle if needed

    The attendant must know the hazards, know emergency actions, and be able to move the vehicle.

  9. If you break down with a placarded tank used for Class 3 flammable liquids (even empty), which warning devices should you use?
    1. Flares
    2. Fusees
    3. Reflective triangles or red electric lights
    4. Burning pots
    Show answer
    Reflective triangles or red electric lights

    Never use burning signals near Class 3 or 2.1 tanks (loaded or empty) or 1.1–1.3 explosives.

  10. Who is responsible for finding out whether you need permits or special routes for a hazmat load?
    1. You, the driver
    2. The police
    3. The consignee
    4. No one; routes are not regulated
    Show answer
    You, the driver

    It is the driver's job to find out about permits and route restrictions.

  11. When placarded, you should avoid:
    1. Interstate highways
    2. Daylight hours
    3. Weigh stations
    4. Crowded areas, tunnels, tight streets and alleys
    Show answer
    Crowded areas, tunnels, tight streets and alleys

    Avoid populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets and alleys unless there is no other way.

  12. Who normally prepares the written route plan for Division 1.1–1.3 explosives?
    1. The police
    2. The carrier, in advance
    3. The consignee
    4. The truck stop
    Show answer
    The carrier, in advance

    The carrier prepares it in advance; the driver may plan it if picking up away from the employer's terminal.

  13. Shipments of explosives may be delivered:
    1. To anyone at the address
    2. Left at the curb
    3. Only to authorized persons or left in locked rooms designed for explosives storage
    4. To the nearest police station
    Show answer
    Only to authorized persons or left in locked rooms designed for explosives storage

    Deliver explosives only to authorized persons or locked explosives storage rooms.

  14. For placarded radioactive materials, who must choose the safest route?
    1. The carrier
    2. The driver alone
    3. The shipper's driver helper
    4. The consignee
    Show answer
    The carrier

    The carrier chooses the safest route, tells the driver about the materials and shows the route plan.

  15. How far must lit tobacco stay from a placarded Class 3 or Division 2.1 cargo tank?
    1. 5 feet
    2. 10 feet
    3. 100 feet
    4. 25 feet
    Show answer
    25 feet

    No smoking within 25 feet.

  16. When refueling a vehicle loaded with hazmat:
    1. Leave the engine idling
    2. Turn the engine off and have someone at the nozzle controlling the flow
    3. Lock the nozzle open and walk away
    4. Fuel only at night
    Show answer
    Turn the engine off and have someone at the nozzle controlling the flow

    Engine off, and someone must always be at the nozzle.

  17. What fire extinguisher must the power unit of a placarded vehicle carry?
    1. 2 A rating
    2. 5 B rating
    3. UL rating of 10 B:C or more
    4. Any water extinguisher
    Show answer
    UL rating of 10 B:C or more

    A UL rating of 10 B:C or more is required.

  18. Your placarded trailer has dual tires. When must you check them?
    1. At the start of each trip and each time you park
    2. Once a week
    3. Every 500 miles
    4. Only at inspections
    Show answer
    At the start of each trip and each time you park

    Check every tire when the trip starts and whenever you park.

  19. The only acceptable way to check tire pressure on a hazmat vehicle is:
    1. Kicking the tire
    2. Hitting it with a bat
    3. Looking at it
    4. Using a tire pressure gauge
    Show answer
    Using a tire pressure gauge

    The only acceptable way is a tire pressure gauge.

  20. If you find an overheated tire, you should:
    1. Spray it with water and keep driving
    2. Remove it, place it a safe distance from the vehicle, and fix the cause before driving
    3. Drive faster to cool it
    4. Let air out of it
    Show answer
    Remove it, place it a safe distance from the vehicle, and fix the cause before driving

    Remove the overheated tire, place it away from the vehicle, and correct the cause first.

  21. A driver hauling Division 1.1–1.3 explosives must have in their possession:
    1. Only the bill of lading
    2. A copy of the ERG only
    3. Shipping papers, written emergency instructions, written route plan, and a copy of FMCSR Part 397
    4. A safe haven permit
    Show answer
    Shipping papers, written emergency instructions, written route plan, and a copy of FMCSR Part 397

    These four documents are required; the driver signs a receipt for them.

  22. A driver hauling chlorine in cargo tanks must have:
    1. An approved gas mask and an emergency kit for dome cover plate leaks
    2. A Class 9 placard
    3. A second driver
    4. A radiation survey meter
    Show answer
    An approved gas mask and an emergency kit for dome cover plate leaks

    Chlorine cargo tanks require an approved gas mask and a leak control kit.

  23. You are hauling 100 lb of Division 4.3 dangerous when wet materials. Must you stop before a railroad crossing?
    1. No, it is under 1,001 lb
    2. Only if a train is visible
    3. Only at night
    4. Yes, because 4.3 must be placarded in any amount and placarded vehicles must stop
    Show answer
    Yes, because 4.3 must be placarded in any amount and placarded vehicles must stop

    4.3 is a Table 1 material, so the vehicle is placarded and must stop.

  24. How far from the nearest rail should you stop at a railroad crossing?
    1. 5 to 10 feet
    2. 15 to 50 feet
    3. 50 to 100 feet
    4. 100 to 200 feet
    Show answer
    15 to 50 feet

    The stop is 15–50 feet short of the closest rail.

  25. Which vehicle must stop at a railroad crossing even when it is empty?
    1. A box truck with general freight
    2. A pickup truck
    3. A cargo tank used for hazardous materials
    4. A flatbed with lumber
    Show answer
    A cargo tank used for hazardous materials

    Cargo tanks used for hazmat must stop, loaded or empty.

  26. While crossing railroad tracks with a placarded vehicle, you should:
    1. Not shift gears
    2. Shift to a higher gear
    3. Stop on the tracks to look
    4. Shift to neutral
    Show answer
    Not shift gears

    Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks.