Thread: Carrying Fuel On Trailers

Whilst I don't have reference to the legislation, I've understood for many years that its only petrol that's prohibitted. I carry a jerry of diesel on my box trailer on interstate drives in a yellow container to advertise that its diesel.

NSW does not have any rules that I can find and the epa sent this to some else who asked the same question





Petrol is classified as a dangerous goods and is controlled by dangerous goods transport law. Diesel is not a dangerous goods and is not controlled.
The Act controls all transport of dangerous goods and requires everyone to transport dangerous goods safely. . However, the dangerous goods Regulations for transport of all dangerous goods including flammable liquids (dangerous goods of class 3) do not control certain activities.
These uncontrolled activities include the private transport of your own goods provided there are less than 250 litres of petrol or other flammable liquids in one or more drums or jerricans on your vehicle.
This means, as far as DEC controls (and NSW law) are concerned, that you can carry jerricans of petrol in your car with no restrictions other than the general duty of care to do this safely. It is up to you to use 'safe' procedures.
Please note that the dangerous goods transport laws are uniform throughout Australia.
Please also note that most vehicle insurance policies require you to notify the insurance company if you transport dangerous goods, such as petrol and LP gas.

Alan Ritchie
Manager Dangerous Goods
Department of Environment and Conservation NSW
Australia
Ph 02 9995 5411 (+ 612 9995 5411)
Fx 02 9995 5918 (+ 612 9995 5918)


Geoff

Here is the full post from another forum


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings

I thought I would post an exchange of emails between myself and the relevant authorities on exactly this topic.

First off I emailed the RTA and they told me that they were not the responsible authority and that I should contact the EPA and Workcover. Anyway the upshot of that is that Workcover determine whether a good is a dangerous good, and the EPA regulates the storage and carriage requirements of such goods.

Below is my email exchange with the EPA (my email is at bottom, their response at top):

______________________

Bradley


Petrol is classified as a dangerous goods and is controlled by dangerous goods transport law. Diesel is not a dangerous goods and is not controlled.
The Act controls all transport of dangerous goods and requires everyone to transport dangerous goods safely. . However, the dangerous goods Regulations for transport of all dangerous goods including flammable liquids (dangerous goods of class 3) do not control certain activities.
These uncontrolled activities include the private transport of your own goods provided there are less than 250 litres of petrol or other flammable liquids in one or more drums or jerricans on your vehicle.
This means, as far as DEC controls (and NSW law) are concerned, that you can carry jerricans of petrol in your car with no restrictions other than the general duty of care to do this safely. It is up to you to use 'safe' procedures.
Please note that the dangerous goods transport laws are uniform throughout Australia.
Please also note that most vehicle insurance policies require you to notify the insurance company if you transport dangerous goods, such as petrol and LP gas.

Alan Ritchie
Manager Dangerous Goods
Department of Environment and Conservation NSW
Australia
Ph 02 9995 5411 (+ 612 9995 5411)
Fx 02 9995 5918 (+ 612 9995 5918)

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, 28 May 2004 11:37 AM
To: info@epa.nsw.gov.au
Subject: Carrying fuel


Good Morning



I was referred to you by the RTA.



My query relates to the transportation of fuel (petrol) in "jerry cans". I understand that the "jerry cans" must comply with the appropriate Australian Standards. Are there any rules or regulations that must be followed relating to the transportation of "jerry cans" of fuel in or on a motor vehicle?





Many Thanks

___________________________

Read into that what you will.


Cheers

I would hope none of you would carry them on the rear of the vehicle or trailer.
If you do, in case of rear collision, carry a long stick and a packet of marshmallows.

Mick do you just carry empties on your exmil,s , I carry 4 on the sides of my camper and the ones on the s111 gs are full as well

I carry a credit card. Good at almost any servo.
I also have a RACV card.
Having said that, I have quite a few "running out of fuel" stories.
None of the ex-mil vehicles and trailers are currently registered so fuel (or lack of) is not an issue.
I carry a 10l emergency supply in a plastic fuel container in the boot of the cars. I carry a 20l plastic fuel container tied to the tray of the tray vehicles. The others, I don't carry fuel.
One of the Mokes I had two containers mounted on the back. One fuel and one water.
I now realise the risk I was taking so now they're both water.

That relates to petrol carried only, as it is classified as a Dangerous Good. Diesel is not classified the same way, so it does not come under the same rules.


Cheers
Chris

Thanks for all the responses - wouldn't be real keen on carrying petrol at the back but on the basis of what you have said will happily carry some diesel in jerries on the back of my camper.

Cheers

Garry