Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Road Course: Labels, placards and UN number marks

1. Question 1 of 17

   Labels are normally used on which kind of means of containment?

   • ALarge ones, with a capacity of more than 450 L
   • BOnly highway tanks and other tank trucks
   • CSmall ones, of 450 L or less
   • DOnly freight containers that travel by ship
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Small ones, of 450 L or less

   Labels generally go on small means of containment (450 L or less); placards go on large ones (over 450 L).

2. Question 2 of 17

   What is the normal minimum size of each side of a placard?

   • A250 mm
   • B500 mm
   • C100 mm
   • D150 mm
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 250 mm

   Section 4.8: each side of a placard must be at least 250 mm. 100 mm is the label size.

3. Question 3 of 17

   What is the normal minimum size of each side of a label?

   • A30 mm
   • B250 mm
   • C65 mm
   • D100 mm
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 100 mm

   Section 4.7: each side of a label must be at least 100 mm; it may be reduced to no less than 30 mm only when needed.

4. Question 4 of 17

   Where must the primary class placard be displayed on a loaded trailer?

   • AOn each side and each end
   • BOnly on the front of the trailer
   • COnly on the two long sides
   • DOnly on the rear doors of the trailer
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   Answer: A. On each side and each end

   Section 4.15: the primary class placard must be on each side and each end of a large means of containment.

5. Question 5 of 17

   Who must display labels on small containers before they are offered for transport?

   • ACANUTEC
   • BThe consignee
   • CThe consignor
   • DThe carrier
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   Answer: C. The consignor

   Section 4.4: the consignor must display, or ensure the display of, the required marks on each small means of containment.

6. Question 6 of 17

   A trailer has been loaded with dangerous goods but has no placards. Who must display them?

   • AA Transport Canada inspector at roadside
   • BThe carrier, using the consignor's placards
   • CNobody, as long as the trip is a short one
   • DThe consignee, when the trailer arrives at the site
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The carrier, using the consignor's placards

   Section 4.5: the carrier must display the required marks on a large means of containment unless they are already displayed; the consignor must provide them.

7. Question 7 of 17

   A driver mounts a placard so that it sits flat on one edge, like a box, instead of standing on a corner. Is this acceptable?

   • AYes, but only when it is on the rear doors
   • BYes, any angle is fine if the placard can be read
   • CYes, as long as there is also one on the roof
   • DNo, it must be square on point, like a diamond
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No, it must be square on point, like a diamond

   Section 4.8 requires a placard to be displayed square on point, like a diamond, when the means of containment is upright.

8. Question 8 of 17

   A UN number is shown on an orange panel next to a placard. How high must its digits be?

   • AAt least 65 mm
   • BAt least 25 mm
   • CAt least 12 mm
   • DAt least 100 mm
   Show answer

   Answer: A. At least 65 mm

   Section 4.15.2: on a large means of containment the UN number is shown without "UN" in black digits at least 65 mm high, on an orange panel or in a white rectangle on the placard. 12 mm is for most small containers.

9. Question 9 of 17

   When are UN numbers required on a large means of containment, such as a tank (not Class 1)?

   • AOnly when the total load weighs more than 10,000 kilograms
   • BOnly when the driver or carrier chooses to display them
   • COnly on trips that cross the border into the United States
   • DIf an ERAP is needed or a liquid or gas touches the tank
   Show answer

   Answer: D. If an ERAP is needed or a liquid or gas touches the tank

   Section 4.15.2(1) requires the UN number for goods needing an ERAP, or liquids or gases in direct contact with the container.

10. Question 10 of 17

    A trailer carries no dangerous goods but still shows Class 3 placards from the last load. What is the rule?

    • AThey must be removed or covered, as they are misleading
    • BThey must stay on until the trailer is loaded again
    • CThey may stay on the trailer for up to 30 days
    • DThey may stay as long as the trailer doors are kept closed
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    Answer: A. They must be removed or covered, as they are misleading

    Section 4.2 forbids misleading marks, and section 4.9 requires marks to be covered or removed when the danger is no longer present.

11. Question 11 of 17

    A highway tank was emptied of gasoline but has not been cleaned or purged. What about its placards and UN number?

    • ACover only the UN number and leave the placards
    • BKeep them, because residue is still regulated
    • CReplace them with a DANGER placard until it is cleaned
    • DRemove them at once, because the tank is now empty
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Keep them, because residue is still regulated

    Transport Canada says placards and UN numbers are required even for residue liquids or gases, until the tank is cleaned and purged.

12. Question 12 of 17

    A truck carries one load of acetone (UN1090) in drums with a total gross mass of 400 kg. No ERAP is needed. Does it need placards?

    • AYes, with the UN number on an orange panel beside it
    • BYes, a Class 3 placard on all four sides of the truck
    • CNo, not at 500 kg or less, but it may still be shown
    • DYes, but only one placard on the rear of the truck
    Show answer

    Answer: C. No, not at 500 kg or less, but it may still be shown

    Under the 500 kg exemption (section 4.16.1), placards are not required for 500 kg gross mass or less; Transport Canada uses this acetone example.

13. Question 13 of 17

    A truck carries 4 drums of a Class 8 corrosive (Packing Group II, no ERAP). Each drum has a gross mass of 135 kg. Is a placard required?

    • ANo, because 4 × 135 kg is only 440 kg
    • BNo, the exemption counts drums, not kilograms
    • CNo, corrosives never need placards on a truck
    • DYes, 540 kg is over the 500 kg limit
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Yes, 540 kg is over the 500 kg limit

    4 × 135 kg = 540 kg gross mass. That is more than 500 kg, so the 500 kg exemption cannot be used.

14. Question 14 of 17

    For the 500 kg placard exemption, what mass do you count?

    • AOnly the net mass of the product inside
    • BThe mass of the whole truck and trailer
    • COnly the mass of the heaviest single package
    • DThe gross mass: containers plus contents
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The gross mass: containers plus contents

    Section 4.16.1 uses gross mass, and Transport Canada says the mass of the means of containment counts toward it.

15. Question 15 of 17

    A truck carries 200 kg gross of a Class 2.3 toxic gas in cylinders. Can the driver use the 500 kg placard exemption?

    • AYes, any load under 500 kg is exempt
    • BNo, Class 2.3 is excluded from it
    • CYes, but only during daylight hours
    • DYes, if the cylinders have UN marks on them
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, Class 2.3 is excluded from it

    Section 4.16.1(2) excludes goods such as Class 2.3, Class 4.3, ERAP goods and goods needing a subsidiary placard.

16. Question 16 of 17

    When may a DANGER placard be used instead of class placards?

    • AMixed goods needing different placards, in small containers
    • BWhenever the driver cannot find the correct class placard
    • CAny load of Class 1 explosives, whatever the quantity
    • DA single product carried in one highway tank or tank trailer
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Mixed goods needing different placards, in small containers

    Section 4.16 allows the optional DANGER placard only in that case, and never for goods such as Class 1, 2.3 or 4.3.

17. Question 17 of 17

    A compartment tank carries gasoline (UN1203) and diesel fuel. Both are Class 3. What does Transport Canada say to display?

    • AClass 3 placards and both UN numbers on every side and end
    • BNo placard, because both products are ordinary fuels
    • CA DANGER placard on each side and end, with no UN number
    • DA Class 3 placard and only UN1203 (lowest flash point)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A Class 3 placard and only UN1203 (lowest flash point)

    For compartments with the same class, Transport Canada's example is a Class 3 placard with only UN1203, because gasoline has the lowest flash point.

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