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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Interpretation Response #12-0226 ([Groendyke Transport, Inc.] [Mr. Jerry Mahl])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: Groendyke Transport, Inc.

Individual Name: Mr. Jerry Mahl

Location State: OK Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

Mr. Jerry Mahl
Groendyke Transport, Inc.
2510 Rock Island Blvd.
Enid, OK 73701

Ref. No. 12-0226

Dear Mr. Mahl:

This responds to your October 1, 2012 email requesting clarification of the recordkeeping requirements for cargo tank inspections and testing under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you request clarification whether the reports specified in §180.417(b) on the testing and inspection of a cargo tank under §180.407 may be kept in electronic format.

The answer is yes. Unless specifically prohibited in the HMR, electronic methods of recordkeeping are authorized; with the general understanding that a record must be in such a format that it can be made available to a DOT representative upon request. Thus, in accordance with §180.417(b)(3), so long as the owner and the motor carrier, if not the owner, each retain a copy of the test and inspection report until the next test or inspection of the same type is successfully completed, the copy may be in electronic format.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please contact this office.

Sincerely,

Robert Benedict
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

Regulation Sections