# Tank truck dispatch software that knows the trailer's prior cargo and test dates

> Tank truck bulk liquid hauling is the movement of liquids in bulk cargo tanks rather than drums, using DOT 406, 407 and 412 specification trailers. Federal hazmat registration starts at a bulk shipment of 3,500 gallons under 49 CFR 107.601, and cargo tank test intervals run from 6 months to 5 years under 49 CFR 180.407. Neurobird keeps prior cargo, wash status and those test dates on the dispatch board.

- URL: https://neurobird.com/tanktruck/
- Product: Neurobird Tank Truck Bulk Liquid Dispatch Platform
- Niche: tank truck bulk liquid
- Buyer: bulk liquid carriers and tank truck fleets
- Status: in development, open for early access
- Updated: 2026-08-21

## What Neurobird Tank Truck Bulk Liquid does

- Hold every trailer's prior cargo history and wash status where dispatch can see it
- Track the 49 CFR 180.407 test and inspection intervals per cargo tank, not per fleet
- Capture wash tickets, seal numbers and retain samples at the terminal rather than after the fact
- Produce the load documentation a customer or an inspector asks for without a phone search

## How it works

1. **Hold the trailer's record** Prior cargo, wash tickets, seal numbers, lining and test dates live on the trailer, not in a shared drive.
2. **Check eligibility at assignment** Dispatch sees whether the trailer can take the load: wash status, prior cargo restriction, and whether any 180.407 interval has run out.
3. **Close the load with evidence** Seals, retain samples, wash certificates and delivered quantities are captured at the terminal and attached to the load.

## From the source material

> This regulation shall apply to all bulk gasoline terminals that have a daily throughput of gasoline of 20,000 gallons or more and the appurtenant equipment necessary to load tank trucks or trailer compartments.

Source: epa.gov, https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-10/documents/2014-me-ch112.pdf

## Industry context

- **3,500** Gallons of liquid or gas in a bulk packaging is the shipment size at which federal hazmat registration applies to the carrier. (source: 49 CFR 107.601, eCFR, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-107.601)
- **5 years** Standard interval between internal visual inspections and pressure tests for most cargo tanks, dropping to 1 year where the lading is corrosive to the tank. (source: 49 CFR 180.407, eCFR, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-180.407)
- **6 months** External visual inspection interval for cargo tanks designed to be loaded by vacuum with full opening rear heads, against 1 year for everything else. (source: 49 CFR 180.407, eCFR, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-180.407)
- **3 years** Maximum gap between recurrent hazmat training for a hazmat employee, with security awareness training due within 90 days of employment. (source: 49 CFR 172.704, eCFR, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-172.704)
- **180.417** The records section: cargo tank test and inspection reports have to be retained, which is why a photo of a gauge is not a record. (source: 49 CFR 180.417, eCFR, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-180.417)

## Pricing

- Single terminal: $14 per trailer, per month
- Multi terminal: $28 per trailer, per month
- Carrier: $48 per trailer, per month

## Questions

### What is tank truck bulk liquid hauling?

Tank truck bulk liquid hauling is the movement of liquids in bulk cargo tanks rather than drums or totes, using DOT 406, 407 and 412 specification trailers and their older MC 306, MC 307 and MC 312 equivalents. A shipment in a bulk packaging of 3,500 gallons or more pulls the carrier into federal hazmat registration under 49 CFR 107.601.

### How often does a cargo tank have to be tested?

It depends on the tank and the service. Under 49 CFR 180.407 the external visual inspection is annual for most cargo tanks and every 6 months for tanks designed to be loaded by vacuum with full opening rear heads. Internal visual and pressure tests run on a 5 year cycle for most tanks, and every year where the lading is corrosive to the tank.

### Why does prior cargo matter so much?

Because the next customer's product is only as clean as the last one. Food grade, kosher and pharmaceutical loads carry wash and prior cargo restrictions, and a trailer that ran a caustic 2 loads ago can fail a receiving spec. The prior cargo history is the trailer's real qualification, and it usually lives on a wash ticket nobody indexed.

### Do we still need our TMS?

Yes. This is not a replacement for order entry, rating or settlement. It holds the equipment side: prior cargo, wash status, seals, retain samples and cargo tank test dates, and it says no when dispatch tries to assign a trailer that is not eligible.

### What about hazmat training records?

Hazmat employees need recurrent training at least once every 3 years under 49 CFR 172.704, and new hazmat employees need security awareness training within 90 days of employment. Those dates belong beside the equipment dates, because a legal trailer with an out of date driver is still a stopped load.

## Sources

- [49 CFR 180.407, cargo tank test and inspection](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-180.407)
- [49 CFR 180.417, cargo tank records](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-180.417)
- [49 CFR 107.601, hazmat registration](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-107.601)
- [49 CFR 177.834, loading and unloading](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-177.834)

## Contact

- office@neurobird.com
- https://neurobird.com/