A question on June 29, 2020:

Good afternoon,

Does a driver need to be hazmat certified to haul 22 palletized tote bags of ferrous sulphate each weighing 2050 lbs? The shipper offers the rectangular orange four digit placard that says 3077 in black letters, but claims the driver isn’t required to be hazmat endorsed for their loads within the US. Each bag has the diamond shaped 3077, Class 9 placard stamped on it but the load is required to be tarped. Can our non-hazmat drivers take these loads and if so…should they not use placards?

Thank you for your help! I want to make sure we are legally able to use non-hazmat guys before sending them to load.

My reply a few days later:

Thank you for contacting me. Your non-HazMat drivers (drivers without the HazMat endorsement on their CDL) may transport those loads. They may or may not display the Class 9 placard on their vehicle as they wish. Please see below.

• Based on the information provided, the consignment is a Class 9 Miscellaneous hazardous material.
• It is not required to display the Class 9 Placard on a vehicle containing Class 9 Miscellaneous.
  The HazMat endorsement on the CDL is only required if the vehicle is required to display placards. Class 9 Placard not required = HazMat endorsement not required on CDL. Even if the driver chooses to display the Class 9 placard, the HazMat endorsement is not required.
• However, the driver – and anyone else involved in transportation – must have initial and triennial recurrent USDOT HazMat Employee training. In addition, drivers must have Driver Training.

Though not required, the Class 9 Miscellaneous placard is frequently displayed on motor vehicles in the U.S.

I hope this helps. Please contact me with any other questions or if you wish for me to provide USDOT HazMat Employee training.

Just checking back in (07.06.20):

Do you have any other questions for me? May I be of any further assistance?

The reply that same day:

Thank you very much for your response to my question. I really appreciate you getting back to me. As of right now I don’t have any other questions but I will reach out if anything comes up.

Actually what is the time commitment and cost involved with getting hazmat endorsement?

I could offer some assistance:

I don’t know the time commitment to obtain the HazMat endorsement on the CDL. It is not something I address. It depends on the requirements of your state.

I do provide USDOT HazMat Employee training which is required in addition to the HazMat endorsement if your job has a direct effect on the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

Please contact me with any other questions.