[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR172.516]

[Page 402]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 172_HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TABLE, SPECIAL PROVISIONS, HAZARDOUS 
MATERIALS COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION, AND 
 
                          Subpart F_Placarding
 
Sec.  172.516  Visibility and display of placards.

    (a) Each placard on a motor vehicle and each placard on a rail car 
must be clearly visible from the direction it faces, except from the 
direction of another transport vehicle or rail car to which the motor 
vehicle or rail car is coupled. This requirement may be met by the 
placards displayed on the freight containers or portable tanks loaded on 
a motor vehicle or rail car.
    (b) The required placarding of the front of a motor vehicle may be 
on the front of a truck-tractor instead of or in addition to the 
placarding on the front of the cargo body to which a truck-tractor is 
attached.
    (c) Each placard on a transport vehicle, bulk packaging, freight 
container or aircraft unit load device must--
    (1) Be securely attached or affixed thereto or placed in a holder 
thereon. (See appendix C to this part.);
    (2) Be located clear of appurtenances and devices such as ladders, 
pipes, doors, and tarpaulins;
    (3) So far as practicable, be located so that dirt or water is not 
directed to it from the wheels of the transport vehicle;
    (4) Be located away from any marking (such as advertising) that 
could substantially reduce its effectiveness, and in any case at least 3 
inches (76.0 mm.) away from such marking;
    (5) Have the words or identification number (when authorized) 
printed on it displayed horizontally, reading from left to right;
    (6) Be maintained by the carrier in a condition so that the format, 
legibility, color, and visibility of the placard will not be 
substantially reduced due to damage, deterioration, or obscurement by 
dirt or other matter;
    (7) Be affixed to a background of contrasting color, or must have a 
dotted or solid line outer border which contrasts with the background 
color.
    (d) Recommended specifications for a placard holder are set forth in 
appendix C of this part. Except for a placard holder similar to that 
contained in appendix C to this part, the means used to attach a placard 
may not obscure any part of its surface other than the borders.
    (e) A placard or placard holder may be hinged provided the required 
format, color, and legibility of the placard are maintained.

[Amdt. 172-29, 41 FR 15996, Apr. 15, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 172-101, 
45 FR 74668, Nov. 10, 1980; Amdt. 172-123, 55 FR 52601, Dec. 21, 1990; 
65 FR 50460, Aug. 18, 2000]