Hazardous Materials Placard: is a sign required to be affixed to any motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials in quantities above the thresholds established by the U.S. Department of Transportation, or other authorizing entity. This placard identifies the 1-digit hazard class division number, 4-digit hazardous material identification number or name of the hazardous material being transported.
Vehicles transporting hazardous materials must have a diamond-shaped placard affixed indicating the material carried.
Source: 2011 FARS Manual
Placards are usually displayed on the side of the vehicle:
Source: FMCSA
01 - Yes is used when hazardous materials are involved, and the vehicle does have a placard.
97 - Not Applicable is used when:
- this vehicle did not carry hazardous materials (the INVOLVEMENT field is set to 00 - No); or
-
this motor vehicle is NOT a:
- commercial motor vehicle (see definition for commercial motor vehicle here),
- government vehicle, or
- personal rental vehicle over 10,000 lbs. operated by a private individual.
For the HAZARDOUS MATERIALS definition click here.