HAZMAT AND TANKER · 26 FT MINIMUM
Hazmat dispatch service for qualified tanker and van carriers
Hazmat and tanker freight pays more because it asks more: endorsements, training, higher insurance, tank tests and stricter rules on routes and parking. A dispatcher who does not track those things wastes your time with loads you cannot take. Our hazmat dispatch service matches freight to your endorsements, your tank and its test dates, and leaves every decision with you.
We dispatch hazmat vans and tankers with at least 26 ft of cargo length. Compliance is your responsibility as the carrier; our job is to never put a load in front of you that your credentials or equipment do not cover.
02 · TANKER NET
Tanker net: what is left after costs
Tanker and hazmat loads can pay well, but the costs run higher too: tank washouts, insurance, training, tests and a truck that often runs heavy. The calculator puts the main per-mile costs and the dispatch fee on one card for an EXAMPLE week so you can see what is actually left.
Put in your own numbers. If tank washes or other per-load costs are part of your work, add them to the maintenance line as cents per mile, or count them against each load when we talk through an offer.
EXAMPLE week. Costs in cents per mile; use your own.
| LINE | WEEK |
|---|---|
| Gross | $8,000 |
| Dispatch fee (5%) | -$400 |
| Fuel, tires, reserve | -$2,310 |
| Left for insurance, payment and you | $5,290 |
| Per mile | $2.40 |
03 · TANK TESTS
Cargo tank test dates on the same calendar as your PM
Cargo tanks that carry hazardous materials have their own periodic tests and inspections under 49 CFR 180.407, on top of the truck's maintenance and annual inspection. A tank that runs past a due test cannot legally carry the materials it is meant for, which turns a scheduling slip into lost loads.
The reminder strip lets you enter the last date for each test and the interval that applies to your tank. Intervals depend on the test and the tank specification, so the defaults are EXAMPLE values to replace with yours. Share the dates with us and we plan freight so the tank is near the inspector when the next one is due.
Source: 49 CFR 180.407, checked 2026-10
Intervals are editable EXAMPLE values. Use the intervals for your tank specification under 49 CFR 180.407 and your inspector's reports.
| TEST | LAST DONE | EVERY (YRS) | NEXT DUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| External visual inspection | Enter last date | ||
| Leakage test | Enter last date | ||
| Internal visual inspection | Enter last date | ||
| Pressure test | Enter last date | ||
| Thickness test | Enter last date |
Tanker dispatch: freight we find
- Fuel and petroleum products. For tankers cleared and insured for them.
- Chemicals. Bulk liquids matched to your tank's material and lining.
- Food-grade liquids. For dedicated food-grade tanks with wash records.
- Packaged hazmat in vans. Placarded freight for drivers with the hazmat endorsement.
Every load comes with its hazard class, UN number where it applies, quantity and any special handling, so you can check it against your credentials and equipment before you decide.
What has to be current before we offer a load
We ask for your endorsements, training dates, insurance limits and any registrations up front, and we track their expiry dates with you. A hazmat endorsement needs a security threat assessment and renewal. Hazmat employees need training under 49 CFR 172 Subpart H, refreshed on schedule. Some materials and quantities require PHMSA registration.
If any of those lapse, we stop offering the loads that depend on them and tell you why. It is a lot easier to renew early than to lose a lane because a card expired.
Insurance limits for hazmat
Federal minimum liability limits under 49 CFR 387.9 are higher for many hazardous materials than for general freight, and the highest tier applies to certain materials in bulk. Shippers and brokers often set their own requirements above that. We check each load's insurance requirement against your certificate before it reaches you, but confirm your own limits and exclusions with your agent.
Routes, tunnels and parking
Hazmat loads cannot always take the shortest road. Some tunnels, bridges and city routes restrict certain hazard classes, and 49 CFR Part 397 sets rules for attending and parking vehicles carrying certain materials. We factor routing limits into the trip math so a load that looks short on the map does not turn into a long detour.
Parking is the other piece. Plan stops before you roll, especially for overnight breaks, and follow the rules for the class you carry.
Maintenance on a hazmat rig
A hazmat or tanker rig works heavy and is inspected closely. Brakes, tires, lights, the fifth wheel and air system all matter, and a tanker adds valves, vents, gaskets and emergency shutoffs. Inspection findings can take the truck out of service on the spot. Keep your truck PM, annual inspection and tank tests on one calendar and share it with us, and we keep those days clear.
Tank washes and product changes
Switching products often means a tank wash, which costs money and time. We look at what you last carried before we offer the next load, and we favor loads that keep you on compatible products. When a wash is needed, we count it in the trip math and plan the stop so it does not cost you an appointment.
What every hazmat offer includes
Each hazmat or tanker offer we send carries the details you need to check it against your credentials before you answer: the hazard class and division, UN number where it applies, quantity and packaging or bulk, required placards, the tank specification or trailer type, the last product compatibility for tankers, any routing limits we know of, the insurance requirement, the appointment times and the rate.
If something on the offer does not match your equipment or paperwork, say no. That costs you nothing, and it tells us more about which loads to bring next time.
Home time with hazmat freight
Hazmat and tanker loads often run between fixed plants and terminals, which can make regional schedules possible. Tell us your home base and the nights you want there, and we plan around it, keeping the parking and routing rules in mind for the last leg.
Hazmat and tanker dispatch fee
One hazmat or tanker truck with authority older than six months pays 5% of gross on loads hauled. New MCs under six months pay 7%. Two or more trucks pay 4% while the fleet rate lasts. No setup fee, no minimum, month-to-month with 30 days notice. Full rules on the dispatch fee page.
A tanker week on our desk
An EXAMPLE week for a single chemical tanker, not a real result. Monday we offer a load compatible with the last product, so no wash is needed, and the owner accepts. Tuesday we find the reload, but it needs a wash first, so we line up a wash rack on the way and include its cost in the numbers. The owner approves.
Wednesday the external visual inspection comes due in two weeks, so we plan the following week to pass the inspector. Friday the truck is home. The weekly report shows two loads, the wash, the fees and the next tank test date.
Pre-trip on a hazmat load
Placards, shipping papers within reach, emergency response information, a working fire extinguisher, and for tankers, valves, vents and manhole covers secured. Our pre-trip inspection checklist covers the truck; add your hazmat items from your training and the shipper's instructions.
Hazmat on a new authority
Many hazmat shippers and brokers want a track record before they release loads to a new carrier, and insurance can be harder to get early on. Some carriers start with general freight and add hazmat once the authority has history. If you start with hazmat, we focus on brokers that accept newer carriers. See dispatch for new authorities.
If the truck breaks down with hazmat aboard
Follow your hazmat training and the emergency response information first: secure the scene, set out warning devices, and call emergency services if there is any release. Then call the desk. We contact the broker, explain what happened and work through the options for the load. Outcomes depend on the broker, the material and the repair time.
When we are not the right fit
If your tank or van is shorter than 26 ft, we cannot dispatch it. If you have dedicated contracts with a refinery or plant that fill your schedule, you may not need a dispatcher. We are most useful when finding compatible loads, tracking tests and handling the calls is taking time away from driving safely.
YOUR CALL
Every hazmat load is yours to accept or decline
We bring each load with its hazard class, quantity, route notes and rate. You check it against your credentials and equipment, then say yes, counter or no. The broker sends the rate confirmation to you to sign.
EXAMPLE load offer
- 1. Offer
- 2. Your call
- 3. Rate con to you
- 4. Check calls
Dallas, TX to Atlanta, GA · 780 mi · $2.35/mi · pickup Tue 8:00
Questions carriers ask
How often do cargo tanks need inspection?
What do I need to haul hazmat?
Do you dispatch tankers?
What insurance do hazmat carriers need?
Do hazmat loads have special parking rules?
Put your endorsements to work
About 2 minutes. No setup fee. No contract. Every load is your call.