When an ag retail employee transports ammonia nurse tanks of various sizes, what type of license is required?  Lately there appears to be some feeling among our members that a Class A CDL is required due to the weight of the nurse tanks and thus the weight of the total combination being transported.  IFCA has asked and received clear guidance on this from both the Illinois Secretary of State CDL Division and the Illinois State Police enforcement.  We have good news.  Here it is:

 

1.  Ammonia nurse tanks are implements of husbandry.  As such, their weight does not factor in to the determination of weight for CDL licensing purposes.
 

2.  A hazmat endorsement is required for an ag retail employee to transport ammonia nurse tanks because ammonia is a placarded hazardous material.
 

3.  A Class B CDL with a hazmat endorsement is needed and will cover the towing vehicle and the towed units (nurse tanks) regardless of the size of the nurse tanks (1,000 gallons, 1450 gallons, pulled in single combination, one behind the other, or side by side on a single trailer)

 

4.  You do not need a doubles or triples endorsement to transport nurse tanks.  A doubles or triple endorsement is only available for a Class A CDL and a Class A CDL is NOT required to transport ammonia nurse tanks which are implements of  husbandry and thus not factored into the weight formula for CDL purposes.  
 

5.  Ag retail employees can obtain a Restricted Use Class B CDL to transport ammonia nurse tanks, and this restricted CDL does not require a hazmat endorsement.  It is a seasonal CDL that is good for two 90 day periods in a year or a single 180 day period.  You must have a Class B license in order to obtain a Restricted Class B CDL.  The application form for a restricted CDL is on the ifca.com website or call IFCA for assistance. 

 

5.  Farmers who are transporting ammonia nurse tanks for use on their farm are exempt from the CDL requirements. 

 

There is an old chart out there that shows various vehicle combinations and it indicates that a Class A CDL with doubles and triples endorsement is needed if you transport two 1450 gallon nurse tanks behind a truck.  That is NOT correct and the Secretary of State office has informed us that this chart is not accurate and should not be used as a guide.  We have already put the copy we have of that chart through the paper shredder..  If you have that chart at your office, we recommend you do the same to avoid confusion in the future.   

 

We are happy to provide this clarification to our members and hope that it eases any concerns you have about needing a Class A CDL and multiple endorsements for transporting nurse tanks.  If you have any questions please contact Jean Payne or Kevin Runkle at the IFCA office.