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2.24.3 – Lists of Regulated Products
Placards. Placards are used to warn others of hazardous materials. Placards are signs put on the outside of a vehicle that identifies the hazard class of the cargo. A placarded vehicle must have at least four identical placards. They are put on the front, rear, and both sides.
Placards must be readable from all four directions. They must be at least 10 3/4- inches square, turned upright on a point, in a diamond shape. Cargo tanks and other bulk packaging display the identification number of their contents on placards or orange panels.
Identification Numbers. Identification numbers are a four-digit code used by first responders to identify hazardous materials. An identification number may be used to identify more than one chemical on shipping papers. The identification number will be preceded by the letters “NA” or “UN.” The US DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) lists the chemicals and the identification numbers assigned to them.
Not all vehicles carrying hazardous materials need to have placards. The rules about placards are explained in Section 9 of this manual. You can drive a vehicle that carries hazardous materials if it does not require placards. If it requires placards, you cannot drive it unless your driver’s license has the hazardous materials endorsement.
The rules require all drivers of placarded vehicles to learn how to safely load and transport hazardous products. They must have a commercial driver’s license with the hazardous materials endorsement. To get the required endorsement, you must pass a written test on material found in Section 9 of this manual. A tank endorsement is required for certain vehicles that transport liquids or gases.
The liquid or gas does not have to be a hazardous material. A tank endorsement is only required if your vehicle needs a CDL and your vehicle has a permanently mounted cargo tank(s) each with an individual capacity in excess of 119 gallons with a combined aggregate capacity of 1,000 gallons or more.
Drivers who need the hazardous materials endorsement must learn the placard rules. If you do not know if your vehicle needs placards, ask your employer. Never drive a vehicle needing placards unless you have the hazardous materials endorsement. To do so is a crime. When stopped, you will be cited and not be allowed to drive your truck. It will cost you time and money. A failure to placard when needed may risk your life and others if you have an accident. Emergency help will not know of your hazardous cargo.
Hazardous materials drivers must also know which products they can load together and which they cannot. These rules are also in Section 9. Before loading a truck with more than one type of product, you must know if it is safe to load them together. If you do not know, ask your employer and consult the regulations.
Multiple-Choice Questions:
A placarded vehicle must have:
- At least two identical placards. They are put on the front and rear.
- At least four identical placards. They are put on the front, rear, and both sides.
- At least four identical placards. They are put on the front and rear of the tractor and the front and rear of the trailer
- At least eight identical placards. They are put on the front, rear and sides of both the tractor and the trailer
Identification numbers are:
- A four-digit code used by first responders to identify hazardous materials and will be preceded by the letters "NA" or "UN."
- An eight-digit code used by border-crossing agents to identify hazardous materials and will be preceded by the letters "ND" or "AD."
- A two-digit code used by first responders to identify hazardous materials and will be preceded by the letters "ND" or "AD."
- A six-digit code used by dispatchers to identify hazardous materials and will be preceded by the letters "NA" or "UN."
Identification Numbers. Identification numbers are a four-digit code used by first responders to identify hazardous materials. An identification number may be used to identify more than one chemical on shipping papers. The identification number will be preceded by the letters “NA” or “UN.” The US DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) lists the chemicals and the identification numbers assigned to them.
Placards must be readable from all four directions. They must be:
- At least 10 3/4-inches square, turned horizontally, in a rectangular shape
- At least 10 3/4-inches square, turned upright on a point, in a diamond shape.
- At least 12 3/4-inches square, turned horizontally, in a rectangular shape
- At least 12 3/4-inches square, turned upright on a point, in a diamond shape
Placards are:
- Legal proof that Federal regulators have approved the hazardous materials you are hauling
- Inspection stickers that go on the frame of any vehicle hauling hazardous materials
- Signs put on the outside of a vehicle that identifies the hazard class of the cargo.
- Signs put on the outside of a vehicle that identifies the ignition class of the cargo.
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