Minnesota HazMat Transportation: What you need to know

· Rules. Minnesota follows the federal requirements for hazardous materials transporters as they apply to motor carriers, with certain exemptions for farmers, fertilizer and agricultural chemical retailers, and cargo tanks. There is also a variance for certain gasoline trucks. Minnesota also has additional notification requirements and a requirement for response plans for certain trucks carrying oil and hazardous substances.

See the national section HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTERS for more information about the federal requirements.

· Administration and enforcement. Mn/DOT's Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations administers and enforces the registration and permit program for hazardous materials and hazardous waste transporters. DPS issues the commercial driver's licenses and hazardous materials endorsements in Minnesota.

In addition to required federal notifications in the event of a hazardous materials incident, motor carriers in Minnesota must also immediately notify the 24-hour DPS Minnesota Duty Officer and the National Response Center.

In addition to the federally-defined hazardous materials incidents, motor carriers in Minnesota must also report:

• An unintentional release of hazardous materials from a package as defined in 49 CFR 171.8
• A discovery of an undeclared hazardous material as defined in 49 CFR 171.8

Minnesota follows the federal hazardous materials transportation regulations, with the following exemptions:

• Farmers or their employees transporting diesel fuel, gasoline, or agricultural chemicals or fertilizers for use on the farm are not required to comply with state driver ...