Hauling liquids in tanks requires special skills because of the high center of gravity and liquid movement.

In a front-wheel skid, the front end tends to go in a straight line regardless of how much you turn the steering wheel.

The person watching the loading or unloading must: be alert, have a clear view of the cargo tank, be within 25 feet of the tank, know of the hazards of the materials involved, know the procedures to follow in an emergency, and be authorized to move the cargo tank and able to do so.

Liquids expand as they warm and you must leave room for the expanding liquid. This is called "outage."

Side-to-side surge can cause a roll over.

Un-baffled liquid tankers (sometimes called "smooth bore" tanks) have nothing inside to slow down the flow of the liquid. Therefore, forward-and back surge is very strong.

The baffles help to control the forward and backward liquid surge. Side-to-side surge can still occur. This can cause a roll over.

The baffles help to control the forward and backward liquid surge. Side-to-side surge can still occur. This can cause a roll over.

Remember that wet roads double the normal stopping distance.

High center of gravity means that much of the load's weight is carried high up off the road. This makes the vehicle top-heavy and easy to roll over. Liquid tankers are especially easy to roll over. Tests have shown that tankers can turn over at the speed limits posted for curves. Take highway curves and on ramp/off ramp curves well below the posted speeds

A tank endorsement is required if your vehicle needs a Class A or B CDL and you want to haul a liquid or liquid gas in a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis.

You should inspect a tank vehicle before loading it, driving it, or unloading it. This is to ensure that it is safe to carry out these activities and the vehicle can safely hold its liquid or gas contents.

Keep a steady pressure on the brakes. Do not release too soon when coming to a stop. Brake far in advance of a stop and increase your following distance.

Un-baffled liquid tankers sometimes called "smooth bore" tanks have nothing inside to slow down the flow of the liquid. Un-baffled tanks are usually those that transport food products like milk. Sanitation regulations forbid the use of baffles because of the difficulty in cleaning the inside of the tank.

If the wheels are skidding, you cannot control the vehicle.

You should brake in a way that will keep your vehicle in a straight line and allow you to turn if it becomes necessary. You can use the "controlled braking" method or the "stab braking" method.

If your vehicle has any of the following equipment, make sure it works: vapor recovery kits, grounding and bonding cables, emergency shut-off systems, or built in fire extinguisher.

If line of sight view is obstructed due to hill or curve, move the rear-most triangle to a point back down the road so warning is provided up to 500 feet.

Some liquid tanks are divided into several smaller tanks by bulkheads. When loading and unloading the smaller tanks, the driver must pay attention to weight distribution. Don't put too much weight on the front or rear of the vehicle.

When loading and unloading the smaller tanks, the driver must pay attention to weight distribution. Don't put too much weight on the front or rear of the vehicle.