Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...

Motor carriers may receive these publications,
including revisions, by indicating their request
on the APPLICATION FOR HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION LICENSE
or by contacting the Commercial Vehicle Section,
Routing Coordinator at (916) 327-3310.
California general hazardous
materials routing requirement
The following general routing and parking restrictions
(CVC §31303) apply to hazardous material
and hazardous waste shipments for which the
display of vehicle placards and/or markings are
required per CVC §27903 (except shipments
subject to, and in conformance with, special routing
and related requirements):
• Unless specifically restricted or prohibited
(CVC §31304), use state or interstate highways
which offer the least transit time whenever
possible.
• Avoid, whenever practicable, congested
highways, places where crowds are assembled,
and residence districts (CVC §515).
• Deviation from designated routes is not excusable
on the basis of operating convenience.
• Do not leave a loaded vehicle unattended or
parked overnight in a residence district.
• Except for specifically restricted or prohibited
highways, other highways may be used that
provide necessary access for pickup or delivery
consistent with safe vehicle operation.
• Highways which provide reasonable access
to fuel, repairs, rest, or food facilities that
are designed to and intended for commercial
vehicle parking, when that access is safe and
when the facility is within one-half mile of the
points of exit and/or entry to the designated
route.
• Restricted or prohibited routes may only be
used when no other lawful alternative exists.
The CHP also publishes a list of restricted or
prohibited highways (CVC §31304). Copies
of this list may be obtained by contacting
the Commercial Vehicle Section, Routing
Coordinator at (916) 327-3310.
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flammaBle Cargo restriCtions
You might break down in a place where you must
use stopped vehicle signals. Use reflective triangles
or red electric lights. Do not use burning signals
such as flares or fusees around a:
• Tank used for flammable liquids or flammable
gas whether loaded or empty.
• Vehicle loaded with the following:
— Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives.
— Class 3 materials.
— Division 2.1 flammable gas.
Do not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded tank
used for flammable liquids or gases. Also, do not
smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe
within 25 feet of any vehicle which contains:
• Class 1 (explosives).
• Class 5.1 (oxidizers).
• Class 3 (flammables, including tanks containing
residue).
fueling restriCtions
Turn off your engine before fueling a placarded
vehicle. Someone must always be at the nozzle
controlling fuel flow.
fire extinguishers
The power unit of placarded vehicles must have a
fire extinguisher with a UL rating of at least 10 B:C
or more. In California, tank vehicles or combinations
of tank vehicles used to transport flammable
or combustible liquids shall be equipped with at
least one fire extinguisher rated not less than 20
B:C, serviced annually.