A question from someone within the trucking industry (05.03.17). Sent to the Contact Me page on my website:

Daniel,
What standard would apply to a tanker trailer hauling NON-hazardous liquids?
I keep getting referred to DOT 406/407, but those do not apply as far as I can tell because they apply to the hauling of HAZMAT only.
Where should I be looking?

Thanks!

My reply that same day:

PHMSA/US DOT does not regulate non-hazardous material in transportation.  There are no specifications for a cargo tank truck used to transport non-haz.

But not so fast!

A cargo tank – or any packaging – marked to indicate it conforms to a DOT Specification or a UN Standard must conform to that specification or standard even if it is used to contain a non-hazardous material for transportation.  If a packaging – including but not limited to a cargo – tank is marked to indicate it conforms to a DOT Specification or a UN Standard but does not and is being used for the transport of a non-hazardous material the name plate and specification plate should be made illegible by covering with duct tape or a hinged metal plate.