NOTE: Please do not use this guide as a substitute for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The guide is currently being revised and continues to change as regulations are published, updated, etc. You should consult the FMCSRs, which are updated quarterly online.

Do you transport hazardous materials?

Hazardous materials are any substance defined by the Secretary of Transportation as posing an unreasonable risk to health and safety or property. Most people recognize gasoline, propane, or dynamite as being hazardous materials, but did you know that common materials such as paint, nail polish remover, adhesives, cleaning compounds, hair spray, matches, and others may be classified as hazardous materials? It is important to know if you are transporting hazardous materials because violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) carry civil fines of up to $27,500 and possible criminal penalties including up to five years in jail. Hazardous materials fall into one of the following basic classes and divisions:

Explosives 1.1	Non-Flammable Gas, 2.2	Organic Peroxide, 5.2
Explosives 1.2	Poison Gas, 2.3	Poison Liquid or Solid, 6.1
Explosives 1.3	Flammable & Combustible Liquids, 3	Infectious Substance, 6.2
Explosives 1.4	Flammable Solids, 4.1	Radioactive, 7
Explosives 1.5	Spontaneously Combustible, 4.2	Corrosive, 8
Explosives 1.6	Dangerous When Wet, 4.3	Miscellaneous, 9
Flammable Gas, 2.1	Oxidizer, 5.1	Consumer Commodities, ORM-D

To determine if a material you are transporting is hazardous, contact the shipper who provided the material or see the definitions of these materials in the hazardous materials regulations.

What do I need to do if I transport hazardous materials?

A motor carrier that transports a hazardous material, whether interstate or intrastate, must comply with the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations, 49 CFR 100-185. These regulations include requirements such as registration, training, shipping papers, labels, placards, and packages. In addition, there are additional requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations which include insurance requirements, operational restrictions, Commercial Drivers License endorsements, routing, parking, and attendance requirements for hazardous materials.

Where can I get more information?

There are many ways to get additional information about safe transportation of hazardous materials. The regulations and interpretations can be found on the Internet at http://hazmat.dot.gov. In addition, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has developed an informational booklet titled "How to Comply with the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations" as well as a Spanish/English bi-lingual package which contains general awareness training for hazardous materials. These documents and more information, can be found on the FMCSA Web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/hazmat/hm.htm. The Department also offers a hazardous materials information hotline at 1-800-HMR-4922.

Forms

Hazardous Materials Incident Report

Hazardous Materials Registration Statement Page #1

Hazardous Materials Registration Statement Page #2