# Trailer Director Quality Distribution — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 00-0381  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2000-01-11

00-0381 response to Trailer Director Quality Distribution concerning 180.417.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S.Department
Washington, D.C.
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
20590
Research and
Administration
Special Programs
JAN | | 2000
Mr. Charles Boudin
Trailer Director
Quality Distribution
3802 Corporex Park Drive
Tampa, Florida 33619
Dear Mr. Boudin:
This responds to your letter, dated December 16, 1999, concerning record retention requirements
in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) for DOT specification
cargo tanks and portable tanks. Specifically, you ask about record retention requirements for
motor carriers operating shipper-owned cargo tanks and portable tanks.
The cargo tank record retention requirements are set forth in § 180.417 of the HMR. This
section applies to all DOT specification cargo tanks. A motor carrier operating a cargo tank, but
who is not the owner of the cargo tank, must obtain a copy of the manufacturer's certificate, the
ASME UIA data report, where applicable, and related papers certifying that the cargo tank was
manufactured and tested in accordance with the applicable specification and retain them for as
long as the cargo tank is used by that carrier and for one year thereafter (see § 180.417(a)(2)).
Section 180.417(b) specifies retention requirements for test and inspection reports. Each DOT
specification cargo tank that is tested or reinspected as required by § 180.407 must have a written
report that includes the information listed in § 180.417(b)(1). The owner of the cargo tank and
the motor carrier operating the cargo tank, if not the owner, must retain copies of the test and
inspection reports until the next test or inspection of the same type is successfully completed.
This requirement does not apply to a motor carrier leasing a cargo tank for less than 30 days (see
§ 180.417(b) (2))).
Section 180.417(c) specifies additional record retention requirements for MC 330 and MC 331
cargo tanks. After completion of the pressure test specified in § 180.407(g)(3), a motor carrier
operating an MC 330 or MC 331 cargo tank in anhydrous ammonia, liquefied petroleum gas, or
any other service that may cause stress corrosion cracking must make a written report containing
the information listed in § 180.417(c)(1). The motor carrier must retain this report during the
period the cargo tank is in service and for one year thereafter (see §§ 180.417(c)(2)). This
requirement does not apply to a motor carrier leasing a cargo tank for less than 30 days (see
§ 180.417(c)(3)).

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Section 180.416 specifies test requirements for the discharge system for a cargo tank used to
transport liquefied compressed gases. The operator of each MC 330, MC 331, or nonspecification
cargo tank used to transport liquefied compressed gases other than carbon dioxide must perform
the inspections specified in § 180.416. After July 1, 2000, the operator must note each inspection
in a record that includes the information in § 180.416(d)(5) and (f)(3). The operator must retain
the records until the next test of the same type is successfully completed.
Record retention requirements for DOT Specification IM portable tanks are specified in
§§ 173.32a and 173.32b. A motor carrier transporting an IM portable tank that is not the owner of
the portable tank is not required to obtain or retain records relating to the tank's manufacture or
continuing qualification.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact
this office.
Sincerely,
ornas I. Ul
Thomas G. Allan
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

-•
Torsice
5/80.411
QUALITY CARRIERS
99-0328
December 16, 1999
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
Director Office of Hazardous
Material Standards
U. S. Department Of Transportation
Research and Special Programs
Administration
400 Seventh Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear:
Mr. Mazzullo
What are the Motor Carriers Record Retention requirements such as Data Reports,
Certificate of Compliance, Repair, Inspection and Test Reports etc. When the Motor
Carrier is Transporting Hazardous Material on the following Shipper Owned Cargo
Tanks and Portable Tanks.
MC 303, 304, 306, 307, 311, 312, 330, 331, 338
DOT 406, 407, 412
IM101, IM102
Could you address each Specification Cargo and Portable tank separately with all
pertinent DOT Regulations?
If you require more clarification of the question, please call me at (800) 282-2031
Ext 7306
that.
charles Boudh
Trailer Director
Quality Distribution
3802 Corporex Park Drive
Tampa, FI. 33619
3802 Corporex Park Drive • Tampa, FL 33619 • Phone 800-282-2031
Responsible Care

<<<PAGE 4>>>

•---
QUALITY CARRIERS
January 4, 2000
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
Director Office of Hazardous
Material Standards
U. S. Department Of Transportation
Research and Special Programs
Administration
400 Seventh Street S.W.
-
Washington, D.C. 20590
- .-
-
-
Dear: Mr. Mazzullo
What are the Motor Carriers Record Retention requirements such as Data Reports,
Certificate of Compliance, Repair, Inspection and Test Reports etc. When the Motor
Carrier is Transporting Hazardous Material on the following Cargo Tanks and Portable
Tanks. Which are leased for more than thirty days.
MC 303, 304, 306, 307, 311, 312, 330, 331, 338
DOT 406, 407, 412
IM101, IM102
Could you address each Specification Cargo and Portable tank separately with all
pertinent DOT Regulations?
If you require more clarification of the question, please call me at (800) 282-2031
Ext 7306
Thank you
Trailer Director
Quality Distribution
3802 Corporex Park Drive
Tampa, Fl. 33619
3802 Corporex Park Drive • Tampa, FL 33619 • Phone 800-282-2031
Responable Cares

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000381.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `a32740622920a52f456a487fbbcecaa487248347f3e678b01515c08f6482eda1`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T04:04:20.239Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-00-0381`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "materialSubtype": "interpretation",
  "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials",
  "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf",
  "companies": [
    "Trailer Director Quality Distribution"
  ],
  "individuals": [
    "Mr. Charles Boudin"
  ],
  "refIds": [
    "00-0381"
  ],
  "catalogDates": [
    "2000-01-11"
  ],
  "catalogParts": [
    180
  ],
  "catalogRowCount": 1,
  "sourceRecordUrls": [
    "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/node/61491"
  ],
  "linkedAttachmentUrls": [],
  "unavailableResponseUrls": [],
  "duplicateRepresentationUrls": [],
  "citedSections": [
    "180.417",
    "180.407",
    "180.416",
    "173.32a",
    "173.32b"
  ],
  "catalogPageUrls": [
    "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/180417"
  ],
  "pdfUrls": [
    "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000381.pdf"
  ],
  "representations": [
    {
      "viewUrl": "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000381.pdf",
      "detailUrl": null,
      "detailHtmlPath": null,
      "pdfUrl": "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000381.pdf",
      "pdfArtifactPath": "data/sources/phmsa-interpretations/00-0381-f5686cd4ce.pdf",
      "pdfArtifactSha256": "f03ddbbb5b5b164e0715175138fcff0c3ed5331b614e8be09aabbc6456abd4f9",
      "extractedTextPath": "data/sources/phmsa-interpretations/00-0381-f5686cd4ce.v2.txt",
      "extractedTextSha256": "85024653448d633097cf6b28ae75d106a9d6761e4c01a9b5320953c3804149b3",
      "pageCount": 4,
      "extractionVersion": 2
    }
  ],
  "caveat": "Interpretations apply regulations to the facts presented and do not create independently enforceable requirements.",
  "jurisdiction": "US"
}
```
