Hazmat endorsement practice test

Free hazmat practice questions

Ten questions from the PassRig bank. Pick an answer in your head, then show the answer to read why. The full bank, timed mock exams and AI explanations live in the app.

1. The hazardous materials regulations have three main goals. They are to:

   • AContain the material, communicate the risk, and ensure safe drivers and equipment
   • BReduce shipping costs, speed deliveries, and track cargo
   • CLicense shippers, tax carriers, and register vehicles
   • DLimit load size, limit speed, and limit hours
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Contain the material, communicate the risk, and ensure safe drivers and equipment

   Everything in the rules serves one of these: packaging that contains the material, papers and placards that communicate the risk, and training and inspection so drivers and vehicles are safe.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.1 (The Intent of the Regulations)

2. The basic description of a hazardous material on a shipping paper lists, in order:

   • APacking group, hazard class, ID number, shipping name
   • BID number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group
   • CShipper's name, weight, hazard class, ID number
   • DHazard class, ID number, driver's name, packing group
   Show answer

   Answer: B. ID number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group

   The identification number (such as UN1203) comes first, then the proper shipping name, the hazard class or division, and the packing group in Roman numerals. The order matters so responders read it the same way every time.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.3.2 (The Shipping Paper)

3. A vehicle with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives is "attended" only if the person watching it is:

   • AWithin 300 feet and asleep in the sleeper berth
   • BOn the vehicle and awake, or within 100 feet with the vehicle in clear view
   • CAnywhere on the same property
   • DWithin one mile and reachable by phone
   Show answer

   Answer: B. On the vehicle and awake, or within 100 feet with the vehicle in clear view

   Attending means awake, not in the sleeper, either on the vehicle or within 100 feet with an unobstructed view of it, and aware of the hazards and able to move the vehicle if needed.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.5.1 (Attending Parked Vehicles)

4. Under the hazardous materials regulations, a hazardous material is a product that:

   • APoses a risk to health, safety and property during transportation
   • BWeighs more than 1,000 pounds
   • CIs carried only in a tank
   • DIs made outside the United States
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Poses a risk to health, safety and property during transportation

   The rules exist because some products are dangerous to people and property while they are being moved. Hazardous materials are defined by that risk, not by weight, container or origin.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.1 (The Intent of the Regulations)

5. You need a hazardous materials endorsement on your CDL to drive:

   • AOnly cargo tanks carrying gasoline
   • BOnly vehicles carrying explosives
   • CAny vehicle that must be placarded for hazardous materials
   • DAny vehicle that carries a fire extinguisher
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   Answer: C. Any vehicle that must be placarded for hazardous materials

   If the load requires placards, the driver needs the H endorsement, no matter what class of material is on board or what kind of vehicle it is.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.1 (Hazardous Materials Endorsement)

6. If the word Forbidden appears in the hazard class column of the Hazardous Materials Table, the material:

   • ANeeds a special permit
   • BMay be carried only on placarded vehicles
   • CMay never be transported
   • DMay not cross a state line
   Show answer

   Answer: C. May never be transported

   Forbidden means exactly that: the material cannot be shipped at all. A driver who sees it on a shipping paper must refuse the load.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.3 (Communication Rules: Hazardous Materials Table)

7. The DANGEROUS placard may not be used in place of a specific placard when:

   • AThe trip crosses a state line
   • B2,205 lb (1,000 kg) or more of one Table 2 category is loaded at one place
   • CThe load includes any liquid
   • DMore than two shippers are involved
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   Answer: B. 2,205 lb (1,000 kg) or more of one Table 2 category is loaded at one place

   DANGEROUS covers a mixed load of Table 2 materials, but if 2,205 lb (1,000 kg) or more of a single category is picked up at one location, that category's own placard must be shown.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.3 (Communication Rules: Placard Table 2)

8. Before loading or unloading a cargo tank with flammable liquid, you should:

   • AKeep the engine running to power the lights
   • BOpen all vents and manhole covers first
   • CDisconnect the ground as soon as the liquid starts flowing
   • DTurn off the engine unless it runs the pump, and ground the tank before opening the filling hole, keeping the ground connected until the hole is closed
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   Answer: D. Turn off the engine unless it runs the pump, and ground the tank before opening the filling hole, keeping the ground connected until the hole is closed

   Static electricity can ignite flammable vapors. Grounding the tank first and keeping it grounded until the fill hole is closed prevents a spark at the worst moment.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.5.3 (Bulk Packaging: Flammable Liquids)

9. The transport index on a Radioactive Yellow-II or Yellow-III label tells you:

   • AHow many packages may be stacked
   • BThe weight of the package
   • CThe number of placards needed
   • DHow far the package must be kept from people, animals and undeveloped film, and limits the total radioactive load
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   Answer: D. How far the package must be kept from people, animals and undeveloped film, and limits the total radioactive load

   The transport index measures the radiation control the package needs. A separation table uses it to set distances, and the total index of all packages on one vehicle must not exceed 50.

   Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.4.3 (Precautions for Specific Hazards: Class 7 Radioactive)

10. When carrying placarded hazardous materials, you should avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets and alleys:

    • AOnly at night
    • BOnly when carrying explosives
    • COnly on trips over 100 miles
    • DWhenever possible, unless there is no other practical route
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Whenever possible, unless there is no other practical route

    Fewer people near the vehicle means less harm if something goes wrong. Some areas also require permits or forbid certain materials, so check the route in advance.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 9.6.10 (Route Restrictions)