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The Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) joined a coalition of trade associations to modify a change to the Commercial Driver’s License rules that went into effect last year that requires drivers to have tank vehicle endorsements to drive vehicles that have intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) or other bulk packagings permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle.

A final rule revising the CDL testing and learner’s permit standards, 76 Federal Register 26854 (May 9, 0211), also changed the definition of “tank vehicle” in 49 CFR 385.5. The new definition states that “tank vehicle” means “any commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis.”

This new definition will require a tanker endorsement on the CDL of any driver operating a CMV that would be transporting four or more intermediate bulk containers, since those typically contain anywhere from 250 gallons to 330 gallons of liquid per IBC. Putting four of those in the trailer of any CMV exceeds the aggregate 1,000 gallon capacity. This endorsement would be required regardless of whether the product transported is regulated as hazardous material or not.

 States could have begun enforcing this requirement as of July 2011, but the states have three years to implement the change. The American Trucking Associations is preparing a petition to amend the rule, and GAWDA and several other associations are expected to file comments in support of the petition. The associations will also seek a meeting with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator to discuss revising the rule.

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