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CDL hazardous materials practice test

For the H endorsement; also needs a TSA background check. 190 practice questions written from the Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0), each with the manual section it comes from.

25 questions

  1. Question 1Which part of the federal regulations contains the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)?

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    A: 49 CFR Parts 171-180. The manual says the Hazardous Materials Regulations are found in parts 171 through 180 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9 Hazardous Materials (introduction), page 9-1.

  2. Question 2What are hazard warning labels, and where do they go?

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    C: Diamond-shaped labels shippers put on packages to show the hazard. Labels are the diamond-shaped hazard warnings the shipper puts on most hazmat packages so others can see what the danger is. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.3.2 Package Labels, page 9-3.

  3. Question 3What should you do before loading or unloading hazardous materials?

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    A: Set the parking brake and make sure the vehicle will not move. Before loading or unloading, set the parking brake and make sure the vehicle will not move. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements, page 9-10.

  4. Question 4When may you transfer Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives from one vehicle to another on a public roadway?

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    A: Only in an emergency, with red warning reflectors, flags or electric lanterns set out. Do not transfer these explosives between vehicles on a public road except in an emergency; if safety requires it, set out red warning reflectors, flags or electric lanterns. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.4.1 Precautions for Specific Hazards: Class 1 (Explosives), page 9-11.

  5. Question 5How close to the traveled part of the road may you park with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives?

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    D: Never within 5 feet. A vehicle with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives may never be parked on or within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road (49 CFR 397.7(a)(1)). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.1 Parking with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Explosives, page 9-13.

  6. Question 6Whenever your vehicle is placarded, what kinds of places should you avoid?

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    D: Heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets and alleys. When placarded, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets and alleys, taking other routes even if inconvenient unless there is no other way (49 CFR 397.67). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.5 Route Restrictions, page 9-14.

  7. Question 7How far from the nearest rail must a placarded vehicle stop at a railroad crossing?

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    B: 15 to 50 feet. Placarded vehicles, vehicles with any chlorine and hazmat cargo tanks must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail (49 CFR 392.10). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings, page 9-15.

  8. Question 8What do the regulations call the diamond-shaped, square-on-point warning signs displayed on vehicles carrying certain hazardous materials?

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    B: Placards. Vehicles transporting certain types or quantities of hazardous materials must display diamond-shaped warning signs called placards. Labels go on packages, not vehicles. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9 Hazardous Materials (introduction), page 9-1.

  9. Question 9A compressed gas cylinder is too small or oddly shaped to hold a diamond label. How may the shipper show the hazard?

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    D: With a label on a tag securely attached, or a decal. If the diamond label won't fit, the shipper may put it on a tag securely attached to the package; compressed gas cylinders that won't hold a label will have tags or decals. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.3.2 Package Labels, page 9-3.

  10. Question 10Which tools should you avoid when loading hazardous materials packages?

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    B: Hooks or any tool that might damage containers. Don't use tools that might damage containers or packaging during loading, and don't use hooks. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.4 Loading and Unloading, page 9-10.

  11. Question 11Your placarded tank vehicle that hauls Class 3 flammable liquid breaks down. What should you use to warn traffic?

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    B: Reflective triangles or red electric lights. Use reflective triangles or red electric lights. Flares and fusees are banned near Class 3 or Division 2.1 tanks, loaded or empty, and near vehicles with Division 1.1-1.3 explosives. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.4 No Flares!, page 9-14.

  12. Question 12Except for brief stops needed for operation such as fueling, how close may you park to a bridge, tunnel or building when loaded with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives?

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    B: Not within 300 feet. Do not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, building, place where people gather or open fire, except briefly for operating necessities like fueling (49 CFR 397.7). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.1 Parking with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Explosives, page 9-13.

  13. Question 13An empty cargo tank last used for hazardous materials approaches a railroad crossing. Must it stop?

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    A: Yes, cargo tanks used for hazardous materials must stop whether loaded or empty. You must stop if your vehicle has cargo tanks used for hazardous materials, whether loaded or empty (49 CFR 392.10(a)(4)). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings, page 9-15.

  14. Question 14Who is responsible for deciding whether a material meets the definition of a hazardous material?

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    C: The shipper, based on the material's characteristics. The Hazardous Materials Table is not all-inclusive; whether a material is hazardous depends on its characteristics and the shipper's decision that it meets a definition in the regulations. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9 Hazardous Materials (introduction), page 9-1.

  15. Question 15How many placards must a placarded vehicle have, at minimum?

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    C: Four identical placards: front, rear and both sides. A placarded vehicle must have at least four identical placards, on the front, rear and both sides, readable from all four directions. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products, page 9-4.

  16. Question 16Why should hazardous materials be loaded away from heat sources?

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    C: Heat makes many products more hazardous. Many products become more hazardous when exposed to heat, so load hazardous materials away from heat sources. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements, page 9-10.

  17. Question 17You find an overheated tire on your placarded vehicle. What must you do?

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    A: Remove it, place it a safe distance from the vehicle, and fix the cause before driving. Take an overheated tire off, move it well away from the vehicle, and fix whatever caused the heat before you drive again (49 CFR 397.17(c)). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.9 Check Tires, page 9-15.

  18. Question 18When may someone else watch your parked vehicle loaded with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives for you?

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    A: Only if the vehicle is on the shipper's, carrier's or consignee's property. Someone must always watch the vehicle; you may let someone else do it only if the vehicle is on the shipper's, carrier's or consignee's property. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.1 Parking with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Explosives, page 9-13.

  19. Question 19You are hauling 100 pounds of Division 4.3 (dangerous when wet) material. Must you stop before a railroad crossing?

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    C: Yes, Division 4.3 requires placards for any amount, so the vehicle is placarded and must stop. Division 4.3 is a Placard Table 1 material placarded in any amount, and placarded vehicles must stop before railroad crossings. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings, page 9-15.

  20. Question 20How often must hazardous materials employees be trained and tested under the regulations?

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    D: At least once every three years. The manual says hazmat employees must be trained and tested at least once every three years; 49 CFR 172.704(c)(2) sets the same three-year recurrent training rule. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9 Hazardous Materials (introduction), page 9-1.

  21. Question 21What is the minimum size of a hazardous materials placard?

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    B: 250 mm (9.84 inches) on each side. Placards are at least 250 mm (9.84 inches) square, turned on point in a diamond shape; 49 CFR 172.519(c) sets the same minimum. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products, page 9-4.

  22. Question 22Around which hazard classes must you never smoke while loading or unloading?

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    D: Class 1, Division 2.1, Class 3, Class 4 and Class 5. Keep all smoking away from explosives (Class 1), flammable gas (Division 2.1), flammable liquids (Class 3), flammable solids (Class 4) and oxidizers (Class 5) when loading or unloading. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements, page 9-10.

  23. Question 23What equipment must a driver hauling chlorine in cargo tanks carry?

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    D: An approved gas mask and an emergency kit for controlling leaks in dome cover plate fittings. Chlorine cargo tank drivers must carry an approved gas mask and a kit for stopping leaks at the dome cover plate fittings. Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.11 Equipment for Chlorine, page 9-15.

  24. Question 24What is a safe haven?

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    C: An approved place where vehicles loaded with explosives may be parked unattended. A safe haven is a place officially approved for leaving explosives-laden vehicles unattended; local authorities usually designate them (49 CFR 397.5(d)(3)). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.1 Parking with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Explosives, page 9-14.

  25. Question 25After stopping at a railroad crossing in a placarded vehicle, what must you avoid while crossing the tracks?

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    D: Shifting gears. Cross only when you're sure no train is coming and you can get all the way over without stopping, and don't change gears on the tracks (49 CFR 392.10). Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0): 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings, page 9-15.

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Our own questions, written from the Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual (AAMVA model CDL manual, Version 4.0), official manual, and checked against it.