Delaware CDL: Tanker Vehicles Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Upshift.

If your hydraulic brakes fail while you're driving, try pumping the brake pedal to build up enough hydraulic pressure to stop your vehicle. If this fails, downshift to use engine braking and apply the parking brake. Release the parking brake before you lock the wheels. If all else fails, look for an escape route. Head for an escape ramp or an open field and let your vehicle slow to a stop.

Not quite. The answer is should avoid braking as you're turning.

The liquid cargo can surge both back and forth and side to side. This makes a skid more likely if you brake in a sharp turn. And it also makes it more likely that the skid will lead to a rollover.

Not quite. The answer is Within 500 feet behind the vehicle

If you park on the side of the road and the view of your vehicle is obscured by a hill or curve, place a reflective triangle far enough (up to 500 feet) behind your vehicle so it can be seen by other drivers.

Not quite. The answer is both of the above are true.

Some liquids expand significantly when they warm up. To fill a tank with such a liquid, you must leave some room in the tank (called "outage") to take the expansion. Also, some liquids are so dense that a full load may exceed the legal weight limit. For these reasons, you may not be able to fill your tanks completely.

Not quite. The answer is At the start of each trip and each 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 Set the parking brake and pull forward gently.

The parking brake is meant to keep your vehicle from moving. The best way to test it is to apply the parking brake and then try to pull forward gently. The parking brake should hold your vehicle in place. If you're pulling one or more trailers, test each trailer's parking brakes in the same way.

Not quite. The answer is baffles.

Baffles are devices that regulate the flow of liquid. In a tank vehicle, baffles are a type of bulkhead with holes through which liquid may flow but with reduced force.

Not quite. The answer is Unstable loads such as hanging meat or livestock can require extra caution on curves.

Hanging meat can sway on curves, and livestock can move around. These motions can affect the handling of your vehicle. One reason that you must drive a tanker vehicle carefully is that liquid surge can push the vehicle in the same direction as the surge. This can be especially hazardous on icy roads, where your truck may be pushed forward a dangerous amount, maybe past a red light into an intersection. Another concern is that liquid expands when it warms. Outage is the space in the tank that must be allocated to handle the expansion. Different types of liquids expand by different amounts. Therefore, the amount of outage you will need depends on the type of liquid.

Not quite. The answer is four

You placard your vehicle to warn everyone around you that you are transporting hazardous materials. Therefore, you must have placards on all four sides of your vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is Slow down gradually.

Braking on a slippery surface can lock the wheels and cause a skid. Brake gently and slow down very gradually.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above are true.

Tank vehicles have a high center of gravity, typically five or six feet above the ground. This makes a tanker top-heavy, which makes it more prone to rollovers than other types of vehicles. Tests have shown that a tank vehicle can roll over at the speed limits posted for curves. To take an upcoming curve safely, slow down well below the posted speed limit.

Not quite. The answer is 5 mph slower.

On a steep downgrade, don't keep applying your brakes continuously because this might cause them to fade (become less effective). Instead, apply your brakes sparingly as a supplement to engine braking. Select a "safe" speed. Let your vehicle reach this speed. Brake gently until you are going 5 mph slower. Then let your speed increase back to the "safe" speed. Keep varying your speed up and down this way. This technique is known as snub braking or snubbing.

Not quite. The answer is both a hazardous materials (H) endorsement and a tank vehicle (N) endorsement.

A tank vehicle (N) endorsement qualifies you to haul liquids or gases. However, if those liquids or gases are classified as hazardous materials, you must also have a hazardous materials (H) endorsement to haul them. To obtain each of these endorsements, you must pass a specialized knowledge test. Note: These days, if you obtain both endorsements, your CDL may include the combined endorsement code X (tank vehicle and HazMat) instead of both H and N.

Not quite. The answer is Always

Escape ramps are designed with soft gravel, upgrades, or both, to slow down vehicles that experience brake failure on a downgrade. Regardless of the type of CMV you're driving, if your brakes have failed, head for one of these escape ramps, which can save lives, equipment, and cargo.

Not quite. The answer is can affect the handling of your vehicle.

Liquid surge can greatly affect your vehicle's handling. Surge can push the vehicle in the same direction as the surge. This can be especially hazardous on icy roads, where a truck may be pushed forward a dangerous amount, maybe past a red light into an intersection. On curves, side-to-side surge can cause a rollover even when traction is good.

Not quite. The answer is Surge can move the truck in the direction the liquid waves move.

One of the reasons you must drive a tanker vehicle carefully is that liquid surge can push the vehicle in the same direction as the surge. This can be especially hazardous on icy roads, where a truck may be pushed forward a dangerous amount, maybe past a red light into an intersection.

Not quite. The answer is may require a longer stopping distance than full trucks.

With all types of combination vehicles, the weight of cargo helps the wheels get traction. When a combination vehicle is empty or lightly loaded, its braking distance increases. The very stiff suspension springs and strong brakes give poor traction and make it very easy to lock the wheels.

Not quite. The answer is liquids or gases.

According to federal regulations, you need a tank endorsement to drive a tank vehicle that requires you to have a CDL. A tank vehicle is defined as a commercial motor vehicle that transports a bulk cargo of liquid or gas within one or more tanks that are either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle. [49 CFR 383.5],

Source: 49 CFR 383.93

Not quite. The answer is there is an even distribution of weight.

Some liquid tanks are divided into several smaller tanks by bulkheads. When loading and unloading the smaller tanks, pay attention to weight distribution. Don’t put too much weight on the front or rear of the trailer.

Not quite. The answer is Before loading it, driving it, or unloading it

You should inspect a tank vehicle before loading it, driving it, or unloading it. This is to ensure that it is safe to carry out these activities and the vehicle can safely hold its liquid or gas contents.