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A
Continue driving — placards are only required at the start of a trip
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B
Replace the placard as soon as possible; if unable to replace it on the road, report to law enforcement and proceed directly to the nearest point where the placard can be replaced — operating without required placards is a federal violation
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C
Remove all remaining placards for consistency
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D
Only replace at the destination
Why this is the answer
PLACARD REQUIREMENTS are a continuous obligation throughout the trip — not just a departure requirement. 49 CFR 177.823 requires placards to be maintained throughout transport. WHY CONTINUOUS PLACARDING MATTERS: Emergency responders depend on being able to identify hazmat cargo from a safe distance at any point during transit — at the point of a crash, not just at origin; missing placards endanger first responders who may approach without appropriate precautions; other drivers and the public need hazmat warnings to maintain appropriate safety distances. DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY: Inspect placards during pre-trip; replace any that become damaged, fall off, or become obscured during transit at the earliest safe opportunity; if a placard falls off while driving, pull over safely and reattach or replace; carry spare placards for the materials being transported (many carriers require this); VIOLATION CONSEQUENCES: Operating a hazmat vehicle without required placards is a federal violation subject to civil penalties up to $77,114 per violation (PHMSA 2024 penalty schedule); state enforcement officers can place the vehicle out of service at a weigh station for placard violations. ALSO CHECK: Placards must be visible from all four sides; must be legible and not obscured by dirt, tie-down straps, or trailer parts; the diamond-shaped placards are required on all four sides (front, rear, left side, right side) of placardable vehicles.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Chapter 9, Hazardous Materials, Placarding During Transport