Maryland CDL: Hazardous Materials Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is All of the above are major differences.

The major differences between cargo tanks and portable tanks are about the permanence of cargo tanks. Since cargo tanks are permanently attached to commercial vehicles, they are filled while on the vehicles, and they do not need to display the owner's name separately. Portable tanks are loaded and unloaded while they are off the vehicle. Portable tanks are then put on a vehicle for transportation. They must display the owner or lessee's name.

Not quite. The answer is classes 1, 3, 4, or 5.

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 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 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 Yes.

If your vehicle is placarded, you must stop from 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail at a railroad crossing. After you have done this, proceed once you are sure that no train is approaching, and do not shift gears while you are on the tracks.

Not quite. The answer is The shipper

The shipping papers describe the hazardous material and its quantity, among other things. The shipper must fill out the shipping papers 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 The shipper

The federal Hazardous Materials Regulations require shippers to provide adequate warning of the dangers associated with the hazardous materials. The regulations require shippers to put hazard warning labels on packages and provide proper shipping papers, emergency response information, and placards.

Not quite. The answer is does all of the above.

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) was created by the US Department of Transportation and is used by emergency personnel such as firefighters and paramedics to respond to trucking emergencies. The guidebook is indexed by hazardous material identification number, which is why it is very important that shipping papers be labeled correctly.

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 Only during an emergency, to protect life or property

Normally, when your vehicle is carrying hazardous materials, you must attach the appropriate placards to the vehicle before you drive it. You are allowed to move an improperly placarded vehicle only during an emergency, to protect life or property.

Not quite. The answer is a non-hazardous material.

To avoid confusing anyone (such as emergency services) who might need to read the shipping papers, you should never use hazardous material names or identification numbers to denote non-hazardous materials.

Not quite. The answer is B

Marine pollutants are chemicals that are toxic to marine life. Marine pollutants, including severe marine pollutants, are listed in Appendix B to the Hazardous Materials Table. Appendix A is the List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities. There is no Appendix C or Appendix D.

Not quite. The answer is Corrosive

Most batteries in motor vehicles are lead-acid batteries. These contain a solution of sulfuric acid and water. Sulfuric acid is corrosive. Concentrated sulfuric acid can burn the skin.

Not quite. The answer is 2 years.

Your carrier must keep a copy of the Hazardous Materials Incident Report for two years. Normally, it must be kept at the carrier's primary place of business. If it is not kept at the carrier’s primary place of business, then it must be made available within 24 hours of a request by the Department of Transportation (DOT). (Note: This topic is not usually found in the official state CDL handbook.)

Not quite. The answer is a placarded cargo tank.

Division 1.1 or 1.2 materials (explosives) must not be transported in a combination vehicle if there is a placarded cargo tank in the combination. (The placarded cargo tank might hold flammable gases or liquids, for example.)

Not quite. The answer is tabbing them.

You should clearly distinguish hazardous materials shipping papers from other materials' shipping papers by tabbing them or keeping them on top of the stack of papers.

Not quite. The answer is on all bulk packaging and on the cargo tanks.

In addition to the two main locations for the hazardous material identification number, you must also display it on the cargo tanks and on all bulk packaging.

Not quite. The answer is No. The regulations may change.

The official state CDL manual contains all the information you need to know to pass the HazMat endorsement knowledge test. However, times change. Government and industry regulations for dealing with hazardous materials can change over time. Even after you obtain your HazMat endorsement, you'll need to keep up with those changes. (For example, in 2001, the PATRIOT Act became law, requiring HazMat drivers to be fingerprinted and undergo an extensive criminal background check.) Government regulations require training of all drivers involved in transporting hazardous materials. Your employer or a designated representative is required to provide you this training. You can also obtain and study a copy of Title 49 (transportation) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Also study your state's regulations.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

A material’s hazard class reflects the risks associated with it. There are nine hazard classes. Class 6 includes poisonous materials (6.1) and infectious substances (6.2).

Not quite. The answer is eight

The Hazardous Materials Table lists every type of material (over 3,000 so far) that the US Department of Transportation has designated as a hazardous material for the purpose of transportation. This table is a reference for shippers and carriers. There are eight columns in the Hazardous Materials Table that deal with road transportation, describing the name of the material, its hazard class, its identification number, and so on. Consult the Maryland Commercial Driver License Manual for details.

Not quite. The answer is look at the shipping papers.

If you need to know whether a shipment contains hazardous materials, just check the shipping papers, which should have hazardous materials clearly marked. (In the event of an accident, first responders will also check the shipping papers to find out what materials they're dealing with.)