Driver (CDL) - Shipper's Certification

An initial motor carrier must not accept a hazardous material unless the shipping paper includes a completed shipper's certification. You do not need a shipper's certification for the following:

• Shipments transported entirely by the shipper as a private motor carrier, unless reshipped or transferred from one carrier to another
• Bulk shipments transported in a cargo tank supplied by the motor carrier
• Return of an empty tank car previously containing a hazardous material that has not been cleaned or purged

When a shipper's certification is signed, it indicates that the hazardous materials are properly ready for transportation and in compliance with the rules in the HMR. The certification must be legibly signed by a principal, officer, partner, or employee of the shipper or his agent.

There are four different types of shipper's certifications: Domestic Certification, International Certification, Air Transport Certification, and Certification for Radioactive Material.

Road carriers only use domestic and international certification, while the air transportation certification is rarely used, and the radioactive material certification is for aircraft carriers only.

Domestic Certification: During highway transportation the shipper must enter the selected certification from §172.204 and sign it manually, by typewriter, or other mechanical means. This is applicable to domestic shipping only, although there is no explicit statement prohibiting use internationally. Additionally, the domestic certification must be printed word for word.

International Certification: The shipper must enter the selected certification on the shipping paper and sign it manually, by typewriter, or other mechanical means. This certification is used primarily for international shipments but may be used for domestic shipments as well, and must be printed word for word.

To learn more about CDL HAZMAT Transportation visit our DOT Driver (CDL) HAZMAT Transportation Online Training web page.