New Tank Vehicle Definition May Affect IBC Drivers

Posted 13 years ago

Drivers who transport Intermediate Bulk Container (or IBC's) in van trailers or on flatbeds should pay better attention to the FMCSA's definition of a tank vehicle that went into effect in July 2011.  Failure to comply may lead to citation during road inspections.

The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) states: Tank vehicle means any commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis.  A commercial vehicle transporting an empty storage container tank, not designed for transportation, with a rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is temporarily attached to a flatbed trailer is not considered a tank vehicle.  

IBCs are totes or tanks used to store and transport fluids and other bulk materials. They are composed of: the IBC Plastic Container, the Metal Cage, and the Container's Pallet. The most common are 275 and 330 Gallon tanks. According to the FMCSA, IBCs with aggregated capacities of 1,000 lbs or greater and are temporarily attached to a vehicle, meet the definition of a tank vehicle and the driver would be required to have the tank endorsement with his/her the CDL.

States have until July 2014 to adopt the new definition