You do not have a hazardous material endorsement on your commercial driver license. When can you legally haul hazardous materials?

The correct answer highlights that a commercial driver can legally haul hazardous materials without a hazardous materials endorsement on their license when the vehicle does not require placards. This situation arises because certain types and quantities of hazardous materials are considered to be below the threshold that necessitates additional safety markings like placards.

When a vehicle does not require placards, it indicates that the amount of hazardous material being transported is within legal limits that make it exempt from some regulatory requirements, including the need for a hazardous materials endorsement. This means that if the transportation doesn't trigger placarding rules, the driver can transport those materials even without that specific endorsement, provided they adhere to other safety regulations.

In contrast, the other choices imply conditions that are either impractical or not universally applicable under regulatory guidelines. For instance, requiring a special permit suggests that there are scenarios where even small quantities would necessitate additional documentation, which isn’t the case if placards aren't required. Similarly, the notion of traveling less than 100 miles or only during daylight hours imposes unnecessary restrictions that do not align with the actual legal framework governing the transportation of hazardous materials. It's essential for drivers to understand these nuances to ensure compliance with safety regulations while carrying hazardous materials.