The transportation of propane bottles, gasoline cans, chlorine for the pool or oxygen for a medical emergency must be done in compliance with the Transportation of Dangerous Substances Regulation. This regulation applies to all road users and aims to ensure that the transportation of dangerous substances is carried out safely, minimizing the risks for the population, environment and goods.
Dangerous substances are classified based on the type of risk they present, as well as on product properties. Common dangerous substances include:
There are more than 3,500 different dangerous substances. The complete list is available in the Dangerous goods regulation.
To ensure your safety and the safety of others, you need to follow a few simple rules:
Moreover, for propane:
Vertically
Immobilized
Ventilated to the outside
A propane bottle must never:
Propane bottles sold in Québec are labelled in pounds, but the transportation standards are in litres. For your information, a propane bottle usually used for the BBQ has a 20-pound capacity, which corresponds to approximately 22 litres.
Additional rules apply for the transportation of dangerous substances in a vehicle or a combination of vehicles in the following tunnels and tunnel-bridges:
Road signs have been set up near tunnels to remind drivers of the allowable quantities for the two most common dangerous substances—gasoline and propane. You can therefore change your route before it is too late.
The website of the Société des traversiers du Québec details the restrictions pertaining to certain products on ships.
Some precautions must be taken before and during the transportation of dangerous substances.
© Gouvernement du Québec, 2023