# Montana Motor Carrier Services Enforcement Division — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 08-0066 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2008-03-17 08-0066 response to Montana Motor Carrier Services Enforcement Division concerning 173.120, 173.150. ## Document text <<>> U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 !JAR 1 7 2 ~ 0 8 Lt. Jeff McLaughlin Montana Motor Carrier Services Enforcement Division 2550 Prospect Ave Helena, MT 59620 Ref. No.: 08-0066 Dear Lt. McLaughlin: This is in response to your letter dated March 7,2008, concerning requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1-1 80) applicable to the transportation of combustible liquids in non-bulk packages. Specifically, you ask if there must be documentation in the transport vehicle to serve as proof that a flammable liquid has been reclassed as a combustible liquid and is being shipped in accordance with the combustible liquid exception. As you are aware, a flammable liquid with a flash point of 38°C (1 00°F) or higher that does not meet the definition of any other hazard class may be reclassed as a combustible liquid, as provided by $5 173.120(b)(2) and 173.150(f)(l). In addition, under 5 173.150(f)(2), a combustible liquid, that is not a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, or a marine pollutant and is packaged in a non-bulk packaging, i.e., a packaging having a liquid capacity of 450 L (1 19 gallons) or less, is not subject to any other requirements in the HMR. Therefore, a combustible liquid, even if it has been reclassed from a flammable liquid to a combustible liquid, does not require special packagings, markings, or documentation. I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance. ( Chief, Standards Development Office of Hazardous Materials Standards <<>> * v Drakeford, Carolyn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: INFOCNTR Monday, March 10,2008 1 1 :38 AM Drakeford, Carolyn 'jrnclaughlin@rnt.gov' FW: Questions or Complaints Concerning Enforcement 5 Ij3. 154/~) Carolyn, This gent leman would like an official written letter of interpretation on the issue described below. Thanks, Rob ----- Original Message----- From: HM-Enforcement Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 3:05 PM To: INFOCNTR Subject: FW: Questions or Complaints Concerning Enforcement Completed via phone by RB on 3/10 @ 11:24 am ----- Original Message----- From: jmclaughlin@mt.gov [mailto:jmclaughlin@mt.gov] Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 12:43 PM To: HM-Enforcement Subject: Questions or Complaints Concerning Enforcement Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by Lt Jeff McLaughlin (jmclaughlin@mt.gov) on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 12:43:14. Name: Lt Jeff McLaughlin Organization: Montana Motor Carrier Services Enforcement Division Street: 2550 Prospect Ave City: Helena State: Montana Zip Code: 59620 Country: USA Phone: (406) 444 0454 Fax: (406) 444 6136 Comments: As per 173.150(£) A flammable liquid may be reclassed as a combustible liquid in a non bulk package. The question we have.is what documentation if any must be carried in the transport vehicle to show proof of the reclassification. The following example is the situation that we recently encountered: Ex: a vehicle carrying five non bulk packages ( appx 3800 lbs ) was involved in an accident. The vehicle and packages were not marked/labeled/ or placarded. The driver did not have a haz-mat endorsement or shipping paper at the time of stop. When asked what was in the packages the driver stated that he was hauling " Jet AN fuel. An inspection was performed and violations were noted that there were no placards/ shipping papers/ or haz- 1 <<>> 4 mat endorsement. The company is now disputing the violations by referencing 173.150 saying that they had reclassed the "Jet AN fuel as a combustible and that nowhere does it state that they must carry documentation stating such. 1 We are requesting an interpretation to define what is or is not required for this type of shipment. Thank you for your time on this matter. ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `b27f1461b562d3cf79909a7356972155637a4c005081c057a9d7f6378e9270b2` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-23T09:44:49.923Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-08-0066` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "Montana Motor Carrier Services Enforcement Division" ], "individuals": [ "Lt. 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