New Jersey CDL: Tanker Vehicles Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is closed

Federal regulations require you to keep liquid discharge valves on a compressed gas tank closed except when you're loading or unloading the tank. Also, unless your engine runs a pump for product transfer, you must turn the engine off when you're loading or unloading.

Source: 49 CFR § 177.840

Not quite. The answer is bulkheads.

Separators that divide a space into liquid-tight compartments are called bulkheads. The tank on a tanker vehicle may have bulkheads to divide the tank into separate compartments.

Not quite. The answer is There will be less front-to-back surge than there is in a tanker without baffles.

Baffled tanks have bulkheads with holes to reduce forward-and-backward surge. This will reduce the chance that forward surge will push your vehicle dangerously forward when you're slowing or stopping. However, these bulkheads don't significantly reduce side-to-side surge, so rollovers can still occur.

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 Get out of your vehicle and away from the tracks.

If your vehicle gets stuck on a railroad track, get everyone including yourself out of your vehicle. Have everyone walk at about a 45-degree angle to the tracks in the direction from which you expect a train to approach. That way, if your vehicle is hit, none of you will be struck by flying debris. Once you've reached a safe location, call 911 or the telephone number on the railroad crossing sign.

Not quite. The answer is There will be less front-to-back surge than in a tank without baffles.

A baffled tank has bulkheads with holes through which the liquid can flow forward or backward but with less force than if there were no baffles. This will reduce forward-and-backward surge, making it less likely that surge will push your vehicle forward when you try to stop.

Not quite. The answer is 1,000 gallons or more.

Federal regulations define a "tank vehicle" as a commercial motor vehicle designed to transport liquids or gases within tanks that have an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons each and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more. To drive such tank vehicles, you must have a Tank (N) endorsement or Combination Hazmat and Tank (X) endorsement on your CDL.

Source: 49 CFR § 383.5

Not quite. The answer is use controlled or stab braking.

Sudden or hard braking can cause the liquid in the tank to surge forward, pushing your vehicle forward. If you must stop quickly, use controlled or stab braking instead. (However, don't use stab braking if your vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes.)

Not quite. The answer is Watch gauges and mirrors and use your senses to check for problems.

During your trip, you should be watching a number of things, such as your mirrors, gauges, instruments, lights, tires, and cargo. Use several of your senses – sight, hearing, smell, and feel – to detect possible trouble.

Not quite. The answer is You should avoid backing whenever you can.

Backing up a large vehicle is always dangerous, even with a helper. Try to avoid backing up as much as possible.

Not quite. The answer is Rear

Shut-off valves are used in the service and supply air lines at the rear of trailers used to tow other trailers. These valves permit closing off the air lines when another trailer is not being towed. You must check that all shut-off valves are in the open position except the ones at the rear of the last trailer, which must be closed.

Not quite. The answer is If it has to stay very clean

For transporting food products such as milk, regulations prohibit baffled tanks because of the difficulty of cleaning the inside of a baffled tank.

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 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 70%

It takes special skills to operate a tank vehicle safely. About 70% of tank truck drivers haul hazardous materials, such as gasoline. Doing so takes even more special skills. Such drivers must obtain both a tank vehicle (N) endorsement and a hazardous materials (H) endorsement on their CDLs, or a combination tank vehicle and hazardous materials (X) endorsement.

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 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 If the wheels are skidding, you cannot control the vehicle.

In an emergency, avoid hard braking. Hard braking can lock the wheels, which may cause a skid and loss of control. Instead, use stab braking (unless your vehicle has antilock brakes) or controlled braking.

Not quite. The answer is the front or the rear

Bulkheads help separate the load. When loading such tanks, distribute the weight evenly. Avoid putting too much weight on the front or the rear of the vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is leaks.

When you inspect your tank vehicle, the most important thing to check for is leaking tanks. It is illegal to knowingly carry liquids or gases in a leaking tank. Check around and underneath the vehicle for any signs of leaks. Also check all tanks, hoses, pipes, and connections for leaks.