District of Columbia CDL: Hazardous Materials Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is at all times.

On the shipping papers, the basic description of a hazardous material includes (a) the total quantity and unit of measure, and (b) the number and type of packages.

Not quite. The answer is MC-331

MC-331 cargo tanks carry gases that are liquefied under relatively high pressure (maximum allowable pressure of 100–500 psi). The cargo tank has a circular cross section and rounded ends. These tanks are commonly used to carry such gases as propane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Not quite. The answer is Ammonium nitrate

A material’s hazard class reflects the risks associated with it. There are nine hazard classes. Class 5 hazardous materials include oxidizers (5.1), such as ammonium nitrate (fertilizer); and organic peroxides (5.2), such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP).

Not quite. The answer is Yellow III

A package of radioactive materials is not completely radiation proof. Some radiation can pass through the package. There are three different diamond-shaped "RADIOACTIVE" labels that can be affixed to a package of radioactive materials: White I, Yellow II, and Yellow III (in Roman numerals), depending on how much radiation is detectable at the surface of the package. Yellow III packages have the highest detectable radiation level at the package surface. (Note: This topic is not usually found in the official state CDL handbook.)

Not quite. The answer is both of the above.

Hazardous materials placards must be at least 10 3/4 inches square, square on point, in a diamond shape. ("Square on point" means a square that has been rotated 45 degrees so it is balanced on one corner, forming a diamond shape.) Each placard must have a solid line inner border approximately 12.5 mm inside and parallel to the edge.

Source: 9.3.3 – Lists of Regulated Products; Section 9 - Hazardous Materials; DC Commercial Driver License Manual

Not quite. The answer is 3 years; 2 years

When shipping hazardous materials, the shipper must keep a copy of the shipping papers for three years for hazardous waste, or for two years for other hazardous materials.

Not quite. The answer is poisons.

Federal regulation 49 CFR 184.680 stipulates that you cannot place Division 6.1 materials (poisons) in the same cargo space as foodstuffs intended for animal or human consumption. The risk of contaminating the foodstuffs is unacceptable. Also, federal regulation 49 CFR 177.848 stipulates that certain hazardous materials, such as poisons, cannot be placed in the same cargo space as other hazardous materials because of the risk of cross-contamination or a dangerous chemical reaction. Some of these rules can be found in the Do Not Load Table in the Washington, DC Commercial Driver License Manual.

Not quite. The answer is Any of the above

Most official state CDL handbooks still state that to oversee the loading or unloading of hazmat into a cargo tank, a qualified person must be within 25 feet of the cargo tank, with a clear view of the cargo tank. However, this is no longer the only way. Federal regulation 49 CFR 177.834 now allows two methods by which the qualified person can "attend" the loading or unloading remotely: (1) via a video monitoring system, as long as the cameras provide an unobstructed view of all equipment involved in the loading or unloading process; (2) via an instrumentation and signaling system, as long as the system provides a surveillance capability that is as good as that of a human observer. When a qualified person is "attending" remotely, there must be a way for the person to control the shut-off valves remotely in the event of an incident. There must also be a way for the person to terminate the loading or unloading immediately in the event of a loss of monitoring capability. Finally, when the loading or unloading has been completed, some qualified person (not necessarily the same one) must inspect the cargo tank in person for any damage that might have been sustained during the loading or unloading process. (Note: This topic is not found in the official state CDL handbook.)

Not quite. The answer is Class 4

Division 4.3 materials are Dangerous When Wet. An example is potassium metal. Potassium reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas. The reaction is so strong that the hydrogen gas ignites. (This effect is sometimes demonstrated in school science classes.) Under federal regulations, all materials in Classes 4 and 5 that can become dangerous when wet must be kept dry during loading, transport, and unloading.

Source: 49 CFR 177.838

Not quite. The answer is both the hazard class placard and the POISON INHALATION HAZARD or POISON GAS placards.

If the words INHALATION HAZARD appear on the shipping paper or package, the rules require display of the POISON INHALATION HAZARD or POISON GAS placards, as appropriate. These placards must be used in addition to other placards, which may be required by the product's hazard class. Always display the hazard class placard and the POISON INHALATION HAZARD placard, even for small amounts.

Not quite. The answer is At least 300 feet

When driving with a load of Division 1.2 or 1.3 hazardous materials, which are explosives, you must park at least 300 feet away from any bridge, tunnel, or structure. You must maintain the same distance from any gathering place or open fire.

Not quite. The answer is 4 psi.

One of the most common types of cargo tanks is the DOT-406, typically used for fuel delivery. A semi-truck with a DOT-406 mounted to the semitrailer is commonly called a "gasoline truck." DOT-406 tanks have a low maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of 4 psi.

Not quite. The answer is Do both of the above.

If there is an emergency involving the hazardous materials that you're transporting, follow all instructions that your employer gave you. Keep bystanders away, preferably upwind, while warning them of the danger. Try to keep open flames away and don't let anyone smoke near the hazardous materials. Take a copy of your shipping papers with you to provide to first responders who arrive at the scene.

Not quite. The answer is Within the United States and to and from Canada

A hazardous material identification number that starts with the letters "NA" is intended for shipment to, from, or through the United States or Canada (not Mexico). For shipment to, from, or through any other countries, the identification number must start with the letters "UN."

Not quite. The answer is The material is subject to the HMR only when offered or intended for transport by air unless it is a hazardous substance or hazardous waste.

Column 1 tells which shipping mode(s) the entry affects and other information concerning the shipping description. Six different symbols may appear in Column 1 of the table. (A) Means the hazardous material described in Column 2 is subject to the HMR only when offered or intended for transport by air unless it is a hazardous substance or hazardous waste.

Not quite. The answer is cargo heaters have been disabled.

Ideally, you should not risk exposing any type of hazardous material to flame, but especially Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 (explosives), Division 2.1 (flammable gases), or Division 3 (flammable liquids). These can be so volatile that they should not be exposed to any heat source, not even a cargo heater.

Not quite. The answer is the shipper is a private carrier, carrying its own product.

There are only a couple of situations in which a carrier does not have to certify that the hazardous material has been packaged according to regulations: (1) The shipper is a private carrier transporting its own private product; or (2) the package is provided by the carrier (such as a cargo tank, which is permanently attached to the vehicle).

Not quite. The answer is "Explosives" placards.

The Placard Tables (which you'll find in your official state CDL manual) 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 3 inches

Placards must be displayed so they can be easily read from the directions that they face. They must be kept clean, undamaged, unobscured by tarpaulins or other objects, and positioned at least three inches from any other markings.

Not quite. The answer is Radioactive Materials

A material’s hazard class reflects the risks associated with it. There are nine hazard classes. Class 7 materials are radioactive materials. These include radioactive metals, ionization smoke detectors that contain the isotope Americium 241, medical and scientific isotopes, and spent nuclear fuel.