Hazardous Materials practice test

Hazardous Materials questions with answers

Every question below carries the answer, the reason, and the section of the FMCSA CDL Manual or 49 CFR it comes from. Nothing here is a recalled exam question.

1. Under the federal CDL rule, an H endorsement is required for a CMV carrying which cargo?

   • AEmpty containers that once held hazmat
   • BRefrigerated goods
   • CAny liquid cargo
   • DHazardous material that is required to be placardedCorrect

   For the H endorsement, federal guidance defines hazardous materials as material designated hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 that is required to be placarded under 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F. A separate condition covers any quantity of a listed select agent or toxin.

   FMCSA hazardous materials endorsement guidance; 49 CFR § 383.93 · Hazardous Materials Endorsement; 49 CFR § 383.5 definition and § 383.93 endorsement requirement · verified 2026-09-07

2. Under 49 CFR 172.202(a), which set includes required information in a hazardous material's shipping description?

   • AWeather conditions
   • BDriver's social security number
   • CProper shipping name, hazard class, and ID numberCorrect
   • DPrice of goods

   The shipping description includes the identification number, proper shipping name, and hazard class or division. It also includes the packing group when one is assigned.

   eCFR 49 CFR 172.202 · 172.202(a)(1)-(4) — shipping description · verified 2026-09-07

3. Under 49 CFR 173.115, which hazard class includes a flammable gas in Division 2.1?

   • AClass 1
   • BClass 2Correct
   • CClass 3
   • DClass 4

   Section 173.115 classifies a flammable gas as Division 2.1 within Class 2. Placarding is a separate transport-communication requirement that depends on the material and shipment conditions.

   eCFR 49 CFR 173.115 · 173.115(a): Division 2.1 flammable gas · verified 2026-09-07

4. When a transport vehicle must display placards under 49 CFR 172.504, where must they be placed?

   • AOn each side and each end of the vehicleCorrect
   • BOnly on the front and rear of the vehicle
   • COnly on both sides of the vehicle
   • DOnly on the driver's side door

   For required placarding, the federal rule calls for placards on each side and each end. Other sections state when placarding is required or excepted.

   eCFR 49 CFR 172.504 · 172.504(a) — general placarding requirements · verified 2026-09-07

5. Under 49 CFR 173.50, which hazard class applies to explosives?

   • AClass 1Correct
   • BClass 2
   • CClass 3
   • DClass 4

   Section 173.50 defines Class 1 explosives and divides them into six divisions. The required packaging, marking, labeling, and placarding depend on the assigned division and applicable shipment rules.

   eCFR 49 CFR 173.50 · 173.50: Class 1 definitions · verified 2026-09-07

6. When a motor vehicle containing hazardous materials is being fueled, what must occur?

   • AThe engine must not operate, and a person must control fueling at the point where the tank is filledCorrect
   • BThe engine may run if the driver remains nearby
   • CThe vehicle must have placards removed before fueling
   • DOnly a qualified technician may stand somewhere on the property

   49 CFR 397.15 requires the engine not to operate and a person to control the fueling process where the fuel tank is filled. The rule applies to a motor vehicle containing hazardous materials; it does not state a placarding or qualified-person condition.

   eCFR 49 CFR 397.15 · 397.15(a)-(b): engine and fueling-process control · verified 2026-09-07

7. A vehicle contains Division 1.1 explosives. Which statement fits the federal attendance rule?

   • AIt normally requires continuous attendance, subject only to stated regulatory exceptionsCorrect
   • BIt may be left unattended whenever the doors are locked
   • CIt needs attendance only during night operations
   • DIt is exempt from attendance if the load weighs less than 1,001 pounds

   Vehicles containing Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives normally require continuous attendance. The federal rule has defined exceptions with specific conditions; locked doors, daylight, or a quantity alone do not create an exception.

   eCFR 49 CFR 397.5 — Attendance and surveillance of motor vehicles · 397.5(a)–(d) — Attendance and stated exceptions · verified 2026-09-07

8. Under 49 CFR 172.504 Table 1, which material division is subject to placarding for any quantity?

   • ADivision 3 flammable liquid
   • BDivision 5.1 oxidizer
   • CClass 8 corrosive material
   • DDivision 2.3 poison gasCorrect

   Table 1 lists Division 2.3 poison gas for placarding at any quantity. Other material classes and divisions have different table entries, thresholds, or exceptions.

   eCFR 49 CFR 172.504 · 172.504 Table 1 — placards by hazard class or division · verified 2026-09-07

9. Under the federal rule, smoking or carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe is prohibited on or within ___ of a vehicle containing Class 1 or Class 5 material, or Division 2.1, Class 3, Division 4.1, or Division 4.2 flammable material:

   • A10 feet
   • B25 feetCorrect
   • C50 feet
   • D100 feet

   49 CFR 397.13 prohibits smoking or carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe on or within 25 feet of a vehicle containing the listed material classes. The rule also covers certain empty tank motor vehicles.

   eCFR 49 CFR 397.13 · 397.13(a): 25-foot smoking and lighted-material rule · verified 2026-09-07

10. Which hazardous-material class covers flammable liquids?

    • AClass 2
    • BClass 1
    • CClass 3Correct
    • DClass 7

    Class 3 covers flammable liquids. Under 49 CFR 173.120, a Class 3 flammable liquid generally has a flash point at or below 60 °C (140 °F), subject to stated exceptions. A shipment's hazard communication and operating requirements depend on its exact classification, packaging, quantity, and transport details.

    49 CFR § 173.120 · 173.120(a) Class 3—Definitions · verified 2026-09-07

11. A shipping paper lists hazard Class 7. What kind of material is being transported?

    • ACorrosives
    • BOxidizers
    • CPoisons
    • DRadioactive materialsCorrect

    Hazard Class 7 identifies radioactive material in the Hazardous Materials Table. The class number is a regulatory hazard classification, so it should not be confused with corrosive, oxidizing, or poisonous material classifications.

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · 49 CFR 173.403; 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · verified 2026-09-08

12. Which listed material requires a Class 8 hazard designation?

    • ACorrosivesCorrect
    • BFlammable solids
    • CExplosives
    • DMiscellaneous

    Class 8 is the corrosive hazard class in the Hazardous Materials Table. Corrosive materials can damage living tissue or corrode metal; this class is different from explosives, flammable solids, and miscellaneous hazardous materials.

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table, Class 8 · verified 2026-09-08

13. When a driver is at the controls of a motor vehicle containing hazardous material, how must the shipping paper be kept under 49 CFR 177.817(e)?

    • AWithin immediate reach while restrained, and either readily visible to a person entering the cab or in a holder inside the driver's doorCorrect
    • BOnly in a holder inside the driver's door
    • CUnder the driver's seat while the vehicle is moving
    • DIn the trailer where it cannot distract the driver

    At the controls, the paper must be within immediate reach while the driver is restrained and meet the visibility-or-door-holder condition. A different rule applies when the driver is not at the controls.

    eCFR 49 CFR 177.817 · 177.817(e)(2)(i) — shipping paper accessibility at vehicle controls · verified 2026-09-07

14. Under the general Table 2 placarding rule in 49 CFR 172.504, when is placarding required unless an exception or another table applies?

    • AFor any amount of every hazardous material
    • BOnly when a single package exceeds 100 pounds
    • CAt 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weightCorrect
    • DOnly above 10,000 pounds

    The general Table 2 rule uses 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weight. Table 1 materials and other listed cases have different requirements, so a driver must check the applicable table and exceptions rather than use this threshold for every shipment.

    eCFR 49 CFR 172.504 — General placarding requirements · 172.504(c), Table 1, and Table 2 — Placarding thresholds · verified 2026-09-07

15. For a placarded non-radioactive hazmat load, what routing designations must the motor carrier follow?

    • AAny route the shipper lists on the shipping paper for the load
    • BThe fastest route a commercial GPS selects for truck traffic
    • CFederal Interstate routes, which override State route designations
    • DApplicable State or Indian tribal non-radioactive hazmat routing designationsCorrect

    A motor carrier transporting placarded non-radioactive hazardous material must comply with the applicable State or Indian tribal routing designations.

    eCFR 49 CFR 397.67(a) · 397.67(a): carrier compliance with NRHM routing designations · verified 2026-09-29

16. Under 49 CFR 172.504, what do Table 1 and Table 2 identify for transport-vehicle placarding?

    • AVehicle maintenance schedules
    • BInsurance requirements
    • CPlacarding categories, subject to the section’s general requirements and stated exceptionsCorrect
    • DDriver salary information by hazmat endorsement type

    Section 172.504(e) lists placards by category in Table 1 and Table 2. The tables work with the section’s general requirements and exceptions, including the limited Table 2 aggregate-weight exception; they do not set how much hazardous material may be transported.

    eCFR 49 CFR 172.504 · 172.504(a), (c), and (e): Table 1 and Table 2 placarding categories and exceptions · verified 2026-09-07

17. A vehicle carrying hazardous material other than Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives is stopped on a public-highway shoulder. What does the federal attendance rule require?

    • AThe driver must attend it, except while performing duties that are incident and necessary to operating the vehicleCorrect
    • BAny employee may attend it from a nearby building
    • CIt may be left unattended if its doors are locked
    • DIt may be left unattended during daylight

    For hazardous materials other than Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, a vehicle on a public street, highway, or highway shoulder must be attended by its driver. The limited exception covers duties incident and necessary to operating the vehicle; locked doors or daylight do not replace attendance.

    eCFR 49 CFR 397.5 · 397.5(c): attendance for other hazardous materials on public roads · verified 2026-09-07

18. When the driver is away from the controls, where must a required hazardous-material shipping paper be kept?

    • ALocked in the glove compartment
    • BHidden in the sleeper berth
    • CIn the driver-side door holder or on the driver’s seatCorrect
    • DOnly at the dispatcher’s office

    The required paper must be easy for authorities to find. Away from the controls, use the driver-side door holder or the driver’s seat; general visibility somewhere in the cab is not enough.

    eCFR 49 CFR · 177.817(e)(1)–(2) · verified 2026-09-07

19. For a commercial motor vehicle transporting material required to be placarded under 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F, which federal CDL credential applies?

    • AAn H endorsement on the CDLCorrect
    • BOnly a standard CDL with no endorsement
    • CAn N endorsement only
    • DA passenger endorsement

    Federal rules define this hazmat scope as material required to be placarded under Part 172, Subpart F, plus any quantity of a listed select agent or toxin. The H endorsement is distinct from tank and passenger endorsements; permissive placarding does not itself create the H endorsement requirement.

    eCFR 49 CFR 383.5 and 383.93 · 383.5 definition; 383.93(b)(4) H endorsement scope · verified 2026-09-07

20. At the controls, how must the driver store a required hazardous-material shipping paper?

    • ALocked in the trailer
    • BIn the engine compartment
    • CAt the destination before arrival
    • DWithin reach while belted, and visible to someone entering the cab or in the driver-side door holderCorrect

    Both access and placement matter. The paper must be within immediate reach with the lap belt fastened and either readily visible to a person entering or in the specified door holder.

    eCFR 49 CFR · 177.817(e)(1)–(2) · verified 2026-09-07