Which act is "offering for transport" dangerous goods?

Preparing the goods so a carrier can take possession of them

Unloading the drums at the receiving warehouse dock

Driving the loaded truck from the plant to a customer

Reading the Emergency Response Guidebook at a spill

Under section 5 of the TDG Act, which condition must be met before anyone transports dangerous goods?

The required documents must accompany the goods

The route must avoid all urban areas completely

The goods must be insured for their full value

The carrier must be registered with CANUTEC

TDG overview

TDG: TDG law, key terms and penalties

What the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations cover, who counts as a consignor, carrier or employer, what handling and offering for transport mean, small versus large means of containment, offences and penalties, and how to reach CANUTEC.

No sign-up
Every answer explained
Independent · not a government site

13 questions
Topic drill

0/13

TDG law, key terms and penalties · Question 1Score 0/0

Which activity counts as "handling" dangerous goods under the TDG Act?

Tip: press 1–4 to answer and Enter for the next question.

Study reference: TDG Act and Regulations (current to 2026-09-30), Ch. 1 TDG law and key terms — Act ss. 2, 5, 33 and Schedule; Regulations s. 1.4

All 13 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

Which activity counts as "handling" dangerous goods under the TDG Act?
1. Manufacturing the goods in a closed plant
2. Storing the goods in the course of transport
3. Selling the goods at a retail counter
4. Writing the safety data sheet for a product
A company is convicted on indictment of a TDG offence. What is the maximum prison term the Act allows?
1. Five years
2. Six months
3. Ten years
4. Two years
Which act is "offering for transport" dangerous goods?
1. Unloading the drums at the receiving warehouse dock
2. Driving the loaded truck from the plant to a customer
3. Preparing the goods so a carrier can take possession of them
4. Reading the Emergency Response Guidebook at a spill
A company in Ontario prepares a drum of corrosive liquid and is named as consignor on the shipping document. What is the company's role?
1. It is the consignee
2. It is the importer of record
3. It is the carrier
4. It is the consignor
Under section 5 of the TDG Act, which condition must be met before anyone transports dangerous goods?
1. The route must avoid all urban areas completely
2. The goods must be insured for their full value
3. The required documents must accompany the goods
4. The carrier must be registered with CANUTEC
A tote (IBC) has a capacity of 1 000 L. How is it treated under the TDG Regulations?
1. As a large means of containment
2. As a small means of containment
3. As a consolidation bin for a truck
4. As an overpack for small packages
What is the maximum fine on summary conviction for a first offence under the TDG Act?
1. $50,000
2. $5,000
3. $100,000
4. $25,000
What is the capacity limit of a small means of containment under the TDG Regulations?
1. 1 000 L or less
2. 250 L or less
3. 450 L or less
4. 500 L or less
Which of these can be a "means of containment" under the TDG Act?
1. The loading dock where pallets are staged for pickup
2. The driver's cab where the shipping document is kept
3. The cargo tank that forms part of a highway tank truck
4. The office where the shipping document is printed
Who is a "carrier" under the TDG Regulations?
1. A person who receives the goods once they are no longer in transport
2. A person who has or will have possession of the goods while they are in transport
3. A person who designs and tests the means of containment for the goods
4. A person who signs the consignor's certification on each shipping document
What is CANUTEC?
1. A private company that certifies TDG training courses and instructors
2. An industry group that publishes shipping names
3. The federal agency that licenses truck drivers
4. Transport Canada's 24-hour dangerous goods emergency centre
A truck carrying dangerous goods is in a crash and you need expert advice by phone. Which number does Transport Canada give for CANUTEC from a cellphone?
1. *911
2. *226
3. *888
4. *666
Under the TDG Act, what does "public safety" cover?
1. Human life and health, property and the environment
2. Only the safety of drivers and train crews
3. Only damage to roads, rails and bridges
4. Only people living near a transport route

TDG law, key terms and penalties: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Definitions (s. 2)

Public safety, for TDG purposes, covers the safety of human life and health, and of property and the environment.
Handling means loading, unloading, packing or unpacking dangerous goods in a means of containment around transport, and it includes storing them in the course of transport.
A means of containment is any container or packaging, or any part of a means of transport, that is or can be used to hold goods.
A means of transport is a road or railway vehicle, an aircraft, a vessel, a pipeline or any other device used to move people or goods.
A release includes a discharge, emission, explosion, outgassing or other escape of dangerous goods from a means of containment.
A safety mark is either a dangerous goods mark or a compliance mark.

Schedule (the nine classes)

The Act's schedule lists nine classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable and combustible liquids, 4 flammable solids and related substances, 5 oxidizers and organic peroxides, 6 toxic and infectious substances, 7 radioactive nuclear substances, 8 corrosives, 9 miscellaneous products, substances or organisms.

Safety requirements (s. 5)

Nobody may import, offer for transport, handle or transport dangerous goods unless they meet the applicable safety and security requirements, the required documents go with the goods, a required or permitted means of containment is used, and the containment and means of transport meet the safety standards and show the required safety marks.

Definitions (s. 1.4)

A consignor is the person in Canada named as consignor on the shipping document, or who imports the goods, or otherwise who has possession of the goods just before they are in transport.
A carrier is a person who has, or will have, possession of dangerous goods while they are in transport.
In transport means a person has possession of the goods for transportation or for storage during transportation.
To offer for transport means, for goods not yet in transport, choosing a carrier, preparing the goods so a carrier can take them, or letting a carrier take possession of them.
An employer is a person who employs individuals, or who provides individuals' services and pays them.
A small means of containment has a capacity of 450 L or less; a large means of containment has a capacity over 450 L.
Capacity for liquids and gases is the maximum volume of water the container can hold at 15 °C and normal atmospheric pressure.

Offences and punishment (s. 33)

Breaking the Act, the Regulations, a direction, a security measure or an interim order is an offence.
On indictment the maximum is two years' imprisonment.
On summary conviction the maximum fine is $50,000 for a first offence and $100,000 for each later offence.

Transportation of dangerous goods in Canada (TDG Program)

Transport Canada's TDG Directorate develops the regulations and safety standards and carries out inspections for every mode it regulates.
CANUTEC, the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre, is run by the TDG Directorate and answers 24 hours a day.
In an emergency involving dangerous goods, call CANUTEC at 1-888-CAN-UTEC (226-8832) or 613-996-6666, or *666 from a cellphone.
CANUTEC helps produce the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) for first responders, together with the United States, Mexico and Argentina.

Study the TDG law, key terms and penalties rules as flashcards →