What is Part 397?
The hazmat driving, parking, routing, and safe-operation rulebook.
Dispatch • Back Office • Carrier Resources • Compliance Support
Part 397 is the hazmat driving and parking rulebook for motor carriers and drivers. It covers attendance, parking restrictions, smoking and open flame rules, fueling precautions, railroad crossings, route planning, and special carrier responsibilities when hazardous materials are transported.
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The hazmat driving, parking, routing, and safe-operation rulebook.
Applies to hazmat carriers, drivers, dispatchers, safety managers, and owner-operators.
Certain hazmat vehicles require attendance, observation, and secure stop planning.
Hazmat parking must be planned before dispatch, not after the driver runs out of hours.
Smoking, open flames, sparks, and ignition sources must be controlled around hazmat.
Hazmat fuel stops must be planned around safety, spills, ignition risk, and route control.
Rail crossings are extreme-risk points for hazmat loads and require strict clearance planning.
Hazmat routing must account for restrictions, tunnels, bridges, parking, and emergency response.
Hazmat pre-trips must confirm papers, placards, equipment, route, parking, and cargo condition.
A pre-dispatch checklist for hazmat driver, carrier, route, parking, placards, and emergency readiness.
Hazmat freight requires routing, parking control, paperwork, fire prevention, and emergency planning.
DispatchHQ helps small carriers review load requirements, driver qualification, carrier eligibility, routing, paperwork, parking plans, and safety workflows before accepting high-risk freight.
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