Florida CDL: Tanker Vehicles Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is receive a citation and be prevented from further driving.

It is illegal to knowingly carry liquids or gases in a leaking tank. If you do, you may receive a citation and be prevented from driving further.

Not quite. The answer is Much of the tanker's weight is high up off the ground.

An object with a high center of gravity is top-heavy; much of its weight is high off the ground. Top-heavy objects are more prone to toppling over. Loaded tankers tend to have a high center of gravity because the tanks are so tall. This makes liquid tankers more prone to rolling over. Tests have shown that tankers can roll over on curves even at the speeds posted. On curves, slow down well below the posted speeds.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above.

When deciding how much liquid you can load on your tank vehicle, you must consider the weight of the liquid, the amount of space to allocate for the liquid to expand as it heats up (called outage), and all legal weight limits on your vehicle. A full tank of a dense liquid may exceed the legal weight limits, so you can only fill the tanks partially with such a liquid.

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 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 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 the distance you can see ahead.

No matter what type of motor vehicle you are driving at night (even a passenger car), you must drive at a speed that lets you stop within the range of your headlights. (In the dark, you have no way of knowing what lies beyond the reach of your headlights.) With low beams, you can see ahead only about 250 feet. Yet if you're driving a vehicle with air brakes at 45 mph, your vehicle's stopping distance may be as long as 346 feet. Hence, with low beams at 45 mph, you will not be able to brake in time to avoid a hazard that you see.

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 MC-306 (DOT-406)

MC-306 (DOT-406) cargo tanks carry liquids under very low or no pressure (maximum allowable pressure of 3 psi for MC-306 and 4 psi for DOT-406). The cargo tank has an oval or elliptical cross section and is usually compartmented. These tanks are commonly used to carry gasoline, diesel fuel or fuel oil, and other flammable liquids.

Not quite. The answer is At the end of each working day

Oil and water can start to collect in the bottom of an air tank and can cause brake failure if it's not drained. Unless your vehicle automatically drains the air tanks, you should drain them at the end of each working day so the moisture and oil will not freeze or coagulate and cause your brakes to fail.

Not quite. The answer is Environment

The S.T.A.M.P.E.D. acronym is widely used to assist you in obtaining the correct hoses and fittings for your needs. S: the required size of the hose; T: the temperatures to which the hose will be subjected; A: the application (use) to which the hose will be put; M: the types of material (liquid, gas, etc.) that will have to flow through the hose; P: the maximum working pressure of the hose; E: the required fittings at the ends of the hose; D: the date at which the hose must be delivered to you.

Not quite. The answer is some liquids expand more than others when they get warm.

Different liquids expand at different rates as the temperature increases. In science, the percentage increase of expansion for a given change in temperature is called the coefficient of thermal expansion. This value depends on the type of liquid. You need to find out how much outage you will need to allow for the type of liquid you'll be hauling.

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 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 Your brakes may fail because of water freezing.

Your air tanks hold a mixture of water and compressor oil. If left inside to collect at the bottom, the water may freeze and cause brake failure.

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

If you must stop 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 may exceed legal weight limits.

A full tank of dense liquid (such as some acids) may exceed legal weight limits. For this reason, you may not be able to completely fill the tank with a dense liquid.

Not quite. The answer is S-cam drum brake.

Foundation brakes are present on each wheel. In North America as of this writing, S-cam drum brakes are much more common than wedge or disc brakes.

Not quite. The answer is a high center of gravity.

It takes special skills to drive a tanker carrying liquid cargo because of the vehicle's high center of gravity and the possibility that the liquid cargo may surge forward and backward or from side to side. Much of a loaded tanker's weight is carried 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. The safest way to take a curve in a tanker is to slow down well below the posted speed limit before you enter the curve.

Not quite. The answer is stop braking, turn quickly, and countersteer.

To recover from a drive-wheel braking skid, first stop braking. The rear wheels will unlock and roll again so there will be no more tendency to slide sideways. Then quickly steer your vehicle back on course. You may find that your vehicle will overshoot and keep on turning, possibly skidding in the opposite direction. Countersteer to counteract this. Note: This maneuver takes some practice. You should become proficient in it before you actually need to use it.