Of course, "hazmat requiring a placard" is bit redundant, since all HAZMAT requires a placard. .. Not true you can have hazmat in the van as long as they don't meet the weight requirements for placarding... It's still hazmat
Depending on the company you drive for it would be logged Off duty not driving..Personal use of vehicle. That said, no load can be on the truck, you have to be empty.
Some companies make you log all miles as on duty driving.