Heavy trucks, heavy exposure.

Hazardous loads: DTSC registration and manifests

In California, Health and Safety Code 25163 makes it unlawful to transport hazardous waste without a DTSC registration, or to transfer custody of it to a transporter who lacks one. The registration isn’t transferable and must be in your possession while transporting. A person authorized to collect solid waste who unknowingly transports hazardous waste to a solid waste facility, incidental to that collection, is exempt.

• ID number first. No transporting before you receive an identification number; apply on EPA Form 8700-12 (22 CCR 66263.17).
• Proof of insurance. The application (Form DTSC 187) goes in with a surety bond, a certificate of insurance or proof of self-insurance, for protection equivalent to Vehicle Code 34630 et seq. A copy of the policy stays at your principal place of business in California. Renewals go in at least 45 days before the registration expires (66263.11).
• Lose the coverage, park the truck. On losing that liability coverage, you notify DTSC in writing immediately and stop hauling hazardous waste. A certified vehicle or container involved in a spill, or in an accident that may leave it noncompliant, is reported in writing within 30 days (66263.15).
• Manifest (federal rule). You may not accept the waste without a manifest, EPA Form 8700-22, or an electronic manifest, and you return a signed copy to the generator before leaving the property. An e-Manifest still needs one printed copy on the vehicle (40 CFR 263.20). Keep your copy three years from the date the initial transporter accepted the waste (263.22). On March 5, 2026, EPA published a proposal to phase out paper manifests.

On a discharge, the transporter takes appropriate immediate action and cleans it up (263.30, 263.31). That duty is why hazardous loads change the submission. See pollution liability and hazmat trucking requirements.

SB 1383: what a city expects of haulers

California’s SB 1383 organic waste regulations (14 CCR Chapter 12) mostly reach haulers through the city or county: the hauler duties are written as things a jurisdiction must require in its contract, agreement or other authorization.

• Approval comes with conditions. A jurisdiction must make meeting the chapter’s requirements a condition of approval of any contract, agreement or other authorization to collect organic waste, and must require haulers to identify the facilities they will take it to (18988.1).
• Destination and records. Haulers take collected organic waste to a facility, operation, activity or property that recovers it, obtain the jurisdiction’s approval and keep a record of that approval (18988.2).
• Self-haul customers. A business hauling its own organics keeps delivery receipts and weight tickets showing cubic yards or tons delivered to each entity. If the facility has no scale that can weigh the vehicle, the record still names each entity that received the waste. Residents who self-haul don’t keep these records (18988.3).

Send me the franchise or permit agreement with the quote request. Whatever insurance terms it sets need to line up with the general liability, auto and umbrella before the first route runs.

Cal/OSHA rules for refuse trucks

Backing and riding-step injuries are where auto, general liability and workers’ comp claims meet. California’s General Industry Safety Orders cover this equipment in Title 8 section 4344.

• Backing. Every refuse collection vehicle needs a back-up warning device or other method as required by section 3706(b). Where backing would endanger employees on foot and the operator’s rear view is obstructed, that points to 1592(b): an automatic back-up alarm, automatic rear braking on contact, a spotter in clear view of the operator, a walk around the vehicle right before backing, keeping all foot traffic out, or equivalent protection.
• Riding steps. Slip-resistant, self-cleaning step surfaces and edges, with grab handles placed for a secure riding stance.
• Travel position. An automatic visual or audible warning in the cab when the container lift, hopper covers, body or tailgate is out of safe travel position, or another effective means that prevents travel.
• Loading. Curb-service manual side-loader sills no higher than 42 inches above the standing surface; unloading door latches that limit sudden opening; hold-open devices on side-hinged tailgates; adequate lighting at the loading area.

List what you run, from cameras to spotter rules, on the application.

Official sources

• Cal. Health and Safety Code 25163, hazardous waste transporter registration (california.public.law)
• 22 CCR 66263.11, 66263.15 and 66263.17, transporter registration, insurance proof, reporting, ID number (Cornell LII)
• 40 CFR 263.20, 263.22, 263.30, 263.31, manifest, recordkeeping, discharges (Cornell LII)
• EPA, Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System (e-Manifest)
• Cal. Public Resources Code 42951, 42954, 42955, 42961.5, waste tire haulers (california.public.law)
• CalRecycle, Waste and Used Tire Haulers
• 14 CCR 18988.1, 18988.2, 18988.3 and CalRecycle hauler and self-hauler requirements
• CARB, Advanced Clean Fleets and LCFS rulemaking status, news release 25-34 and 2025 Amendments Guidance
• CARB, Solid Waste Collection Vehicle Regulation
• 8 CCR 4344, 3706 and 1592, refuse collection equipment and backing (Cal/OSHA)