NTTC FAQs...


What kinds of tank truck carriers join NTTC?

Today, over 200 tank truck companies call themselves proud members of the National Tank Truck Carriers.   They transport  more than 80% of the volume hauled in this narrowly defined industry. The majority of NTTC’s members are regional, family-owned tank truck businesses with almost half of our members generating annual revenues of under $5 million. 

Association membership is voluntary. These companies see value to the industry and to themselves in supporting an organization to represent their interests with various publics. 

Can private fleets join NTTC?

Yes, we offer a Fleet Associate Member category for companies that operate tank trucks but transportation is not their primary business.  Those fleets will get the same access to information, discounts on meetings and publications and other services as regular carrier members. Their dues will be based on number of trucks in tank truck operations.

Why should suppliers of service and equipment join the NTTC?

NTTC offers associate memberships to vendors that provide specialized services and equipment to our unique industry.  If a company provides equipment or services to the tank truck industry, it is important  for them to fully understand the vital issues affecting their customers.  Whether new regulations, equipment modifications, or service requirements, a working knowledge of the industry issues is essential to a vendor's successful marketing program. NTTC relies on input from its Associate Members in developing positions on legislation and regulations, as well as a resource for educating our members.

Why is tank trucking such a unique niche in the transportation industry?

Given the expensive and complex nature of our equipment, the specialized skillset required of our drivers, and the increased regulatory environment facing our businesses,  tank truck carriers deal with the challenges of all trucking companies and many which are unique to our industry.   

The majority of our members – over 70 percent – throughout North America specialize in bulk transportation of hazardous products, such as petroleum products, chemicals, gases,  and hazardous wastes. They also haul non-hazardous materials such as bulk foods and dry bulk products such as cement or plastic pellets. 

Do the rules differ for compliance and safety responsibility?

Absolutely.  The tank truck industry is and should be  held to higher safety and security standards. Cargo tank vehicles must be constructed, tested and maintained in compliance with strict engineering specifications authored by the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Tank truck drivers must have a Tank Truck Endorsement on their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and those hauling hazardous materials must have a Hazardous Materials Endorsement which includes a finger-print background check.

Drivers, mechanics and safety specialists undergo strict training in accordance with “hazmat training” regulations.  And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency demands compliance with requirements that focus on vapor recovery, engine emissions, spill reporting and clean-up, as well as the control of pollutants from internal tank cleaning operations.

Do NTTC carrier members operate only in the United States?

NTTC member carriers operate throughout the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, Australia, Japan and South Africa.

What does NTTC offer beyond the efforts of the American Trucking Associations?

The NTTC is an affiliate of the American Trucking Associations (ATA).  The ATA represents the widely diverse trucking industry and does it quite well.  We work with our counterparts there regularly on issues that impact all sectors of trucking.  But the tank truck industry and its service offering are particularly unique from the operations of truckload and less than truckload carriers.  Given the very nature of hauling hazardous materials, tank truckers are faced with a much more rigorous regulatory climate, a more expensive operating model due to specialized equipment needs, more complex risk management issues, and more complicated overall operating environment for our professional driver corps.  Based on all of these different factors, the NTTC was established to offer its members more industry specific representation and experience than available from the ATA.

NTTC safety, maintenance, and executive level meetings and publications focus on the unique aspects of tank truck operations and regulations.

How long has NTTC been operating?

Originally founded in 1945, NTTC has successfully represented tank truck interests for almost 80 years.  Whether a business transports hazardous materials or non-hazardous materials, it can benefit from our track record of successful advocacy and our recognized expertise in the government relations related to our business.

What kinds of benefits does NTTC offer?

Through our quarterly newsletter, issues-oriented policy papers, detailed membership communiques, effective event-planning and training seminars, intra-governmental affairs, direct contact with key governmental decision-makers, and state-of-the-art communication tools available through the Internet, the NTTC provides its membership with numerous advocacy benefits befitting a first-class industry organization.  The NTTC is the only national organization that focuses on issues unique to the tank truck industry.

Is NTTC affiliated with other associations?

As described above, NTTC is affiliated with the American Trucking Associations.  We also work with several other industry associations, including the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, American Chemistry Council, American Petroleum Institute, National Propane Gas Association,  National Association of Chemical Distributors, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

In addition, NTTC staff members serve on committees of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Dangerous Goods Advisory Council, TRANSCAER Steering Committee,  the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Cooperative Hazardous Materials Enforcement Development (COHMED), and the Transportation Research Board.