DOT Hazardous Materials Transport

Fuel, propane, paint, compressed gases, batteries and many chemicals are hazardous materials when they’re shipped or carried on the road. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Regulations cover anyone who prepares, packs, loads or drives them.

• Truck drivers
• Shipping & receiving
• Contractors

Who needs hazmat training

A hazmat employee is anyone whose job directly affects hazardous materials transport safety: loading, unloading, packaging, marking, preparing shipping papers or driving. They need training in:

• General awareness and familiarization
• Function-specific duties
• Safety and emergency response
• Security awareness (and in-depth security training where a security plan is required)

Training must be done within 90 days of starting hazmat duties and repeated at least every 3 years, with records kept.

The basics of a shipment

• Classification: the material’s hazard class (like Class 3 flammable liquids or Class 2 gases).
• Packaging: approved containers that are closed and secured.
• Marking and labels on packages.
• Shipping papers describing the material, kept within the driver’s reach.
• Emergency response information and phone number.
• Placards on the vehicle when required. See Hazmat Placards.

Materials of trade (contractors)

Contractors, landscapers and service techs who carry small amounts of hazmat for their own work, like gas cans, propane cylinders and pesticides, may qualify for the materials of trade exception. It has limits on container sizes and total weight (generally no more than 440 pounds aggregate gross weight per vehicle), and requires containers to be secured, marked and the driver informed. Check the rule for your materials.

Last updated: October 2, 2026