California CDL: Hazardous Materials Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is diamond shaped.

Shippers put diamond-shaped hazard warning labels on most hazardous materials packages. These labels inform others of the hazard. If the diamond label won't fit on the package, shippers may put the label on a tag securely attached to the package.

Not quite. The answer is 25 feet of the vehicle.

You should not risk smoking in close proximity to any class of hazardous material. However, there are specific rules for the following classes: No smoking within 25 feet of classes 3 and 2.1 (flammable materials and gases). No smoking or holding a lighted smoking object such as a cigar or pipe within 25 feet of classes 1, 3, 4.1, 4.2, or 5 (explosives, oxidizers, flammable liquids or solids, or spontaneously combustible materials).

Not quite. The answer is the manufacturing date of the material.

You do not need to know when a product was manufactured or expires unless your company has an additional responsibility. You do need to know the amount of the hazardous material being shipped, its hazard class, and the total amount of all the hazardous materials of all classes that will be carried on your commercial vehicle during your trip.

Not quite. The answer is you will have to use placards.

The hazard classes listed in Placard Table 1 are particularly hazardous. These include mass explosives (1.1) and toxic gases (2.3). You must use placards to carry any amount of the hazard classes in Placard Table I.

Not quite. The answer is Turn it off before unhooking the hose.

If your engine must be on when you are pumping a load of compressed gas, it adds additional danger. As soon as the delivery is completed, turn off the engine before you unhook the hose.

Not quite. The answer is Diamond

Hazardous materials placards must be readable from all four directions. They must be at least 9.84 inches (250 mm) square, square on point, in a diamond shape. ("Square on point" refers to a square that has been rotated 45 degrees so it is balanced on one corner, forming a diamond shape.)

Not quite. The answer is 100 mm

The hazardous material identification numbers must be displayed on portable tanks, cargo tanks, and other bulk packaging. The regulations require black 100 mm (3.9 inch) numbers on orange panels, placards, or a white, diamond-shaped background if no placards are required.

Not quite. The answer is Call emergency personnel if needed.

Never try to repack leaking containers. Unless you have the training and equipment to repair leaks safely, don't try it. Call your dispatcher or supervisor for instructions and, if needed, emergency personnel. If an accidental release of hazardous materials results in death, hospitalization, over $50,000 in property damage, or other major problems, you or the carrier must phone the National Response Center immediately.

Not quite. The answer is "Explosives" placards.

The Placard Tables (which you'll find in the California Commercial Driver Handbook) describe which materials must be placarded and what the placards must say. Explosives are in Placard Table 1, so your vehicle must have placards that say "Explosives" followed by the division number (1.1, 1.2, or 1.3).

Not quite. The answer is 20 feet long.

An ISO standard portable tank is a metal tank enclosed in a steel frame. The frame is 19.8556 feet (6.05 meters) long, 7.874 feet (2.40 meters) wide, and either 7.874 feet (2.40 meters) high or 8.374 feet (2.55 meters) high.

Not quite. The answer is Toxic Gases

Your CDL Handbook includes Placard Tables 1 and 2. Division 2.3 (Toxic Gases) is in Placard Table 1. Any amount of hazardous materials listed in Placard Table 1 must be placarded. Class 3 (Flammable Liquids) and Class 8 (Corrosives) are in Placard Table 2. Except for bulk packaging, the materials in Placard Table 2 must be placarded only if the total amount transported is 1,001 pounds or more, including the packages.

Not quite. The answer is At the start of each trip and every time you stop

If you have a placarded trailer with dual tires, you should check the tires at the start of each trip and each time that you stop for any reason, whether to rest or to refuel. Use a tire pressure gauge to get an accurate reading.

Not quite. The answer is Any of the above

Federal regulation 49 CFR 392.10 states that CMVs transporting any of the following must stop at all railroad crossings: (1) Most hazardous materials that require placarding (see the regulation for details). (2) Any amount of chlorine. (3) A cargo tank that is used to carry hazmat, even if it is currently empty. (4) A cargo tank containing a substance whose temperature at the time of loading was already above its flashpoint.

Not quite. The answer is flammable materials.

You should not risk smoking in close proximity to any class of hazardous material. However, there are specific rules for the following classes: No smoking within 25 feet of classes 3 and 2.1 (flammable materials and gases). No smoking or holding a lighted smoking object such as a cigar or pipe within 25 feet of classes 1, 3, 4, or 4.2 (explosives, flammable liquids or solids, or spontaneously combustible materials).

Not quite. The answer is The shipper

The shipping paper describes the hazardous material and its quantity, among other things. The shipper must fill out the shipping paper because the shipper packages the material. Only the shipper knows exactly what's inside the package. Except in an emergency, no one else should open the package to see what's inside until the package is delivered to the receiver.

Not quite. The answer is Only if regulations specifically authorize the shipper to do it

The shipper may not abbreviate the hazardous material identification number, hazard class, or shipping name of a hazardous material unless the regulations specifically authorize it. Abbrevations might make it harder to identify the material correctly, which could be dangerous.

Not quite. The answer is within 25 feet.

Whenever you load or unload a cargo tank, there must be a qualified person no farther than 25 feet away who can observe the process and intervene if necessary. This person must know the hazards and what to do in case of an emergency. He or she must also be authorized to move the cargo tank and able to do so if necessary.

Not quite. The answer is at the nozzle, controlling the fuel flow.

Under federal regulation 49 CFR 397.15, whenever a motor vehicle carrying hazardous materials is being refueled, its engine must be turned off and someone must be at the nozzle, controlling fuel flow.

Not quite. The answer is refuse the package.

The driver must refuse any leaking packages or shipments.

Not quite. The answer is emergency response information.

The shipping papers must describe the hazardous materials (including the hazardous material identification numbers) and provide information on what to do and whom to contact in case of an emergency.