Who Should Take This Course?
Our DOT HAZMAT Training Online: Carrier Requirements – Highway course is designed for all employees involved in the shipment of hazardous materials by U.S. highway, such as drivers who transport hazardous materials, or persons who package or load/unload hazardous materials for shipment.
Based on Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations in 49 CFR Part 177 and FMCSR Regulations Parts 300-399, the course material focuses on the DOT requirements for shipping hazardous materials by highway. Training topics include shipping responsibilities, general and special loading/unloading requirements, shipping paper and certification requirements, and incident reporting requirements, among others.
For information on DOT HAZMAT training requirements or the DOT HAZMAT courses we offer, visit our DOT HAZMAT Training page.
Course Outline
This DOT HAZMAT training online course consists of 5 sections, which are fully narrated and interactive. Quiz questions within each section of our Online Training System (OTS) help the student retain the knowledge needed for the final exam.
Module 1 | |
---|---|
Section | Title |
– | Course Overview |
1 | Highway Shipping Responsibilities and Training Carriage by highway | Federal motor carrier safety regulations | HMR and FMCSR | Motor carrier responsibilities | Training | State and municipal laws | Broken or leaking packaging. |
2 | General Loading and Unloading Requirements Securing of packages | Orientation markings | Smoking and fire | Use of tools and handbrake | Precautions in transit | Attendance requirements | Closure of manholes and valves | Use of cargo heaters | Carrying and unloading tanks. |
3 | Special Loading and Unloading Requirements Special loading and unloading requirements | Separation distances | Exclusive use vs. sole use | Marking requirements. |
4 | Shipping Papers and Inspections Shipping paper accessibility | Shipper’s certification | Driving and parking rules | US DOT inspections. |
5 | Reportable Incidents Reportable incidents | Notifying the NRC or CDC | Reporting radioactive material, infectious substances, and marine pollutants | Information contained in a report. |
Course Exam |
Course Exam
- The final exam for this course consists of 10 questions, which are randomly compiled from a large pool of possible questions.
- A 70% or better score is needed in order to pass the final exam. If a student does not pass, they may re-review information in the sections as necessary, and retake the test as many times as needed in order to pass.

Course Format
Designed by Certified Outreach Trainers, this DOT HAZMAT course includes up-to-date, high quality training created with your safety and learning as our top priority. The course features interactive training, which combines audio and visual elements for maximum retention. The course is completed entirely online using a computer with an internet connection and is available 24/7. For your convenience, it can be completed over time, and your progress will be saved to the last section completed. Students are given 6 months to complete the course after enrollment. We are so certain you will be satisfied with your experience, that we offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee*.
Once the course is completed, you will immediately be able to download, save or print your Course Completion Certificate which is provided through our Online Training System (OTS) in PDF format. We’ll also mail you a PVC credit card style Wallet ID Card with optional photo, showing training course completion. The card will be mailed within 24 hours of course completion.
Accreditation
This DOT HAZMAT Training: Carrier Requirements – Highway course was designed by Certified Outreach Trainers and is based on the DOT regulations found in 49 CFR Part 177 and FMCSR Regulations Parts 300-399.
DOT HAZMAT Certification
Once the course is completed, you will immediately be able to download, save or print your Course DOT HAZMAT Course Completion Certificate which is provided in PDF format. We’ll also mail you a PVC credit card style Wallet ID Card with optional photo, showing training course completion. The card will be mailed within 24 hours of course completion.

Course Objectives
The objective of this DOT HAZMAT Highway Carrier Requirements course is to address the requirements of 49 CFR Part 177 and 177.816 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), Parts 300-399 for hazardous materials transportation.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the student should be able to:
- Understand the DOT requirements for the transport of hazardous materials on highways
- Differentiate between state, local, FMCSR, and HMR regulations
- Identify the requirements for shipping papers and certifications
- Determine proper handling of damaged or leaking containers with hazardous materials
- Describe loading/unloading requirements
- Identify distance and segregation requirements
- Understand reporting requirements for incidents and accidents

Requirements
Per DOT Hazmat Training Requirements, a complete curriculum must include:
General Awareness Training (Basic or Advanced)
We offer two options for DOT Hazmat General Awareness training:
Function-specific and Modal-specific Training
Function-specific Training
Function-specific training is required hazardous materials training specific to the functions an employee actually performs. We offer the following function-specific course options, which may be taken separately or are already included within the DOT Hazmat: General Awareness/Function Specific (10 Hour) course (with the exception of the Shipping Batteries course.)
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Hazard Classes and Divisions
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Shipping Papers
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Packaging
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Marking
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Labeling
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Placarding
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Using the Hazmat Table (HMT)
- DOT Hazmat: Function Specific – Shipping Batteries (This course is NOT included in DOT Hazmat General Awareness/Function Specific 10 Hour Course.)
* Additional function-specific training may be required to prepare you for the specific duties you perform on the job.
Modal-specific Training
Modal-specific training is specific to the mode of transportation that will be used to tranport hazardous materials. We offer four DOT Hazmat modal-specific courses:
Security Awareness Training
We offer a 100% Online DOT Hazmat Security Awareness training course. DOT Hazmat Security Awareness training is also included within our DOT Hazmat General Awareness/Function Specific (10 Hour) course and our DOT Hazmat Basic General Awareness (4 Hour) course.
Safety Awareness Training
We are working on Online courses to help workers meet this requirement. Coming soon!
In-depth Security Training (if applicable)
When an employer is required by 49 CFR 172.800(b) to have an in-depth Security plan, then in-depth Security training is also required. This site-specific training covers actions taken by employees according to the employer’s plan. We don’t currently offer in-depth security training.
Driver Training for Motor Vehicle Operators (if applicable)
Motor vehicle drivers who transport hazardous materials must have training on the safe transportation of hazardous materials by highway. A variety of driver safety courses may be needed. We do not currently offer driver training.
HAZMAT Employers are required to train new HAZMAT Employees within 90 days of employment or assuming new related job responsibilities. Direct supervision is required of the employee performing a hazardous material function until training is complete. DOT requirements specify HAZMAT employees need to be retrained and tested at least once every three years. However, the FAA, under 14 CFR, requires air carrier employees to be trained every two years. DOT and FAA require employers to maintain training records.
Hazmat Employer
Per the U.S. Department of Transportation, a Hazmat Employer is a person whose employee(s) perform the following functions:
- Transport hazardous materials (hazmat) in commerce;
- Cause hazmat to be transported or shipped in commerce; or
- Represent, mark, certify, sell, offer, recondition, test, repair, or modify packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat.
The term “hazmat employer” also includes any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe engaged in offering or transporting hazmat in commerce.
Hazmat Employee
Per the U.S. Department of Transportation, a Hazmat Employee is a person who is employed by a hazardous materials employer and directly affects hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety.
This would include an owner-operator of a motor vehicle which transports hazmat, and a person (including a self-employed person) who:
- Loads, unloads, or handles hazmat;
- Tests, reconditions, repairs, modifies, marks, or otherwise represents packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat;
- Prepares hazmat for transportation;
- Is responsible for safety of transporting hazmat; or
- Operates a vehicle used to transport hazmat.
Additional Training
Please note that this DOT HAZMAT Training Online course is not meant to replace company-specific or function-specific training provided by your employer on equipment use and procedures for your particular work environment. You must be trained by your employer on the hazards, equipment, engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices and emergency plans specific to your role and workplace. Employers need to evaluate employee needs for additional DOT hazardous material training and training in the use of personal protective equipment used on the job.
In ALL situations, employers are required to ensure their employees are adequately trained to do their job.
Additional Information
For more information on DOT Hazmat training requirements, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) has excellent resources on their website, including extensive information on highway Hazmat transportation compliance.
The HazMat Student Advantage
- Fully Narrated, High Quality Training
- 24/7, Easy to Use Online Interface
- Self-Paced with Saved Progress
- Includes Audio, Photos & Text
- Interactive Quizzes for Retention
- Detailed Student Manual (PDF)
- Take Up to 6 Months to Complete
- Excellent Customer Support
- Mobile Device Friendly Course*
- 100% Money Back Guarantee*
- Course Certificate & ID Card

Course Options
DOT HAZMAT Training: Carrier Requirements – Highway | $49.95 |
DOT Package Deal – Online Hazmat Basic General Awareness (4 Hour) & Highway Carrier Requirements |
The desired option must be selected at enrollment.
DOT HAZMAT Training Online
- DOT HAZMAT General Awareness Training / Function Specific (10 Hrs)
- DOT HAZMAT General Awareness Training / Basic (4 Hrs)
- DOT HAZMAT Security Awareness
- DOT HAZMAT Hazard Classes & Divisions
- DOT HAZMAT Shipping Papers
- DOT HAZMAT Packaging
- DOT HAZMAT Marking
- DOT HAZMAT Labeling
- DOT HAZMAT Placarding
- DOT HAZMAT Shipping Batteries
- DOT HAZMAT Using the Hazmat Table
- DOT HAZMAT Highway Carrier Requirements
- DOT HAZMAT Air/IATA Carrier Requirements
- DOT HAZMAT Rail Carrier Requirements
- DOT HAZMAT Vessel Carrier Requirements
- DOT Reasonable Suspicion for Supervisors