Learning Hub

Welcome to your CDL “H” Endorsement Practice Test: Hazardous Materials Only

What three things do you need to know to determine if placards are required?

The destination city, vehicle color, and material price

The shipping date, vehicle make, and driver name

The hazard class, amount being transported, and type of packaging

The shipper's name, driver license number, and route

None

Do you need to stop before crossing a railroad if hauling 100 pounds of Division 4.3 (dangerous when wet) material?

Only in rain or snow

No, not unless transporting explosives

Yes, always

Only if signs are posted

None

Where must the shipping paper be kept while you are behind the wheel?

On the passenger seat or within immediate reach while seatbelted

Under your seat in a sealed envelope

In the glove compartment with your logbook

Attached to the outside of the driver-side door

None

What is the Emergency Response Guide (ERG) used for?

To plan vehicle maintenance schedules

To track fuel mileage and delivery times

To determine safe procedures in the event of a hazmat incident

To locate spill kits inside your vehicle

None

What must you do if you already have Silver Cyanide on board and the shipper offers to load battery acid?

Do not accept the additional load

Separate them using DOT-approved packaging

Place the battery acid above the cyanide

Request written permission from your carrier

None

If your placarded trailer has dual tires, how often should you check them?

At every fuel stop

Only if you hear unusual noise

Only before the trip begins

Once per week

None

Why are trailers with heating or air conditioning units restricted for certain hazard classes?

Because they are only approved for non-regulated consumer goods

Because they are too large to safely store oxidizers

Because they can overheat and ignite flammable or explosive materials

Because they lack ventilation required for all hazmat

None

Which hazard classes are especially dangerous when exposed to smoking or open flame?

Poisonous substances, oxidizers, and non-flammable gases

Corrosives, radioactive materials, and miscellaneous hazards

Combustibles, ORM-D, and Class 6 poisons

Explosives, flammable gases, and flammable liquids

None

How close to the traveled part of the road can you park with Class 1.2 or 1.3 explosives?

At least 20 feet away

At least 5 feet away

At least 10 feet away

At least 50 feet away

None

Why are vehicles placarded when transporting hazardous materials?

To inform emergency responders of the risks

To identify the vehicle for toll exemptions

To display the driver's credentials

To advertise what the vehicle is carrying

None

Who is responsible for certifying that the hazardous materials shipment has been prepared according to regulations?

The shipper

The vehicle driver

The federal transportation agent

The receiver

None

How close can you park to a bridge, tunnel, or building when transporting certain explosives?

Never closer than 300 feet

Never closer than 100 feet

Never closer than 25 feet

Never closer than 50 feet

None

Shippers package hazardous materials in order to accomplish what goal?

To prevent the need for labeling the outside of the package

To meet manufacturer branding requirements

To reduce the weight of the load for transport

To keep the material from being released in transportation

None

Where must the hazardous materials identification number appear on the vehicle?

On the placards and on bulk packaging or cargo tanks

On the windshield and rear doors only

On the shipping paper and trailer registration

On the shipping company website and bill of lading

None

What type of fire extinguisher is required on vehicles carrying placarded hazardous materials?

Two 5-pound ABC-rated extinguishers

Extinguishers are not required for hazmat

At least one with a minimum rating of 10 B:C

Only a small handheld extinguisher is required

None

Which hazard class uses transport indexes to control how much can be safely loaded?

Corrosives

Flammable gas

Radioactive materials

Explosives

None

What makes a portable tank different from a cargo tank?

It is temporarily attached to the vehicle and not part of its permanent structure

It is smaller and only used for non-hazardous liquids

It is connected directly to the cab controls

It is only mounted to railcars, not highway vehicles

None

What is considered a "safe haven" for hazardous materials?

A weigh station with nearby fencing

An unmarked rest area off the highway

A secure, approved location for parking loaded hazmat vehicles

Any place the driver feels comfortable stopping

None

Why do shippers package hazardous materials the way they do?

To increase the resale value of the material

To help the receiver identify the brand

To make the material easier to stack and organize

To prepare the material for safe, legal transport

None

If the description of a hazardous material is too long for one line on the shipping paper, what must be done?

Continue the description on the next line without skipping required details

Leave it off and attach a separate document

Use abbreviations instead of full names

Write only the most important words

None

How are cargo tanks defined in hazmat transport?

They are temporary tanks for transferring fuel between two vehicles

They are large containers permanently attached to a vehicle and used to haul liquids or gases

They are pressurized holding tanks stored at rest areas

They are fuel cells carried inside the cab for auxiliary power

None

What information must appear on the hazardous materials shipping paper?

A description of the hazardous materials being transported

The driver’s name and license number

The chemical manufacturer’s contact information

The vehicle registration and inspection date

None

What should you do if hazardous material is leaking and there is no phone nearby?

Park over a storm drain to contain the leak

Leave the scene immediately and call when possible

Leave a note for other drivers

Try to clean the spill using your gloves

None

If a placard is required for a hazardous material, where must it be displayed on the vehicle?

On all four sides of the vehicle

On the rear and driver’s side only

Only on the front and back for visibility

Only on the rear of the vehicle or trailer

None

Why is stainless steel not recommended for floor liners when hauling some types of explosives?

It is too expensive for most carriers

It can create sparks that may ignite the load

It corrodes when exposed to acids

It is not strong enough to support the load’s weight

None

Time's up

Ready to go further? You can take this practice quiz as many times as you need — it’s here to help you feel confident and prepared for your real DMV permit test.

For more support, sign up below to get exclusive access to our full CDL study course, helpful discounts on gear like GPS navigators and high-visibility gloves, and job alerts for open positions in both truck and bus driving. Whether you’re just starting or aiming to advance your career, Safe Road Institute is here to help you succeed.