South Dakota CDL: Tanker Vehicles Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is are bulk containers that are not permanently attached to a vehicle.

A portable tank is bulk packaging that is not permanently attached to a vehicle. The tank is loaded or unloaded while it is off the vehicle. Then the tank is put on the vehicle for transportation. Hence, the portable tank must show the owner or lessee's name. "Bulk packaging" means that the tank's capacity is more than 450 L (119 gallons) of liquid, or more than 454 kg (1,000 pounds) of gas. Some portable tanks have a capacity of 25,000 L (6,600 gallons).

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 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 your vehicle may jackknife.

If your drive wheels are skidding, it's likely because you applied the brakes too hard and locked the drive wheels. A drive-wheel skid can let the trailer push the tractor sideways, causing a sudden jackknife. To recover from this type of skid, the first thing to do is stop braking. The drive wheels will unlock and start to roll again.

Not quite. The answer is Wet roads can double the stopping distance at any speed.

To control surge, know the stopping distance of your vehicle and brake far in advance of a stop whenever possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle's stopping distance on wet roads will be about double its stopping distance on dry roads.

Not quite. The answer is You will continue in a straight line and keep moving forward no matter how you steer.

In a front-wheel skid, the front end of your vehicle tends to travel in a straight line regardless of how you turn the steering wheel. This type of skid is most often caused by driving too fast for the current driving conditions. Therefore, the best way to recover from this type of skid is to just let the vehicle slow down. Steer and brake only gently.

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 the top of the tank

In general, the Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) of a pressurized tank is the maximum pressure that the weakest part of the tank can handle in normal operation. For a cargo tank on a motor vehicle, the federal definition of MAWP assumes that the weakest part is at the top of the tank.

Source: 49 CFR 178.320

Not quite. The answer is starting or stopping.

Smooth bore tanks lack baffles or bulkheads to reduce forward-and-backward surge. When you start from a stopped position, the liquid will surge backward, pushing your vehicle backward. When you try to stop, the liquid will surge forward, pushing your vehicle farther forward. Perform such actions slowly and carefully.

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 20 feet long.

An ISO standard portable tank is a metal tank enclosed in a steel frame. The frame is 19.8556 feet (6.05 meters) long, 7.874 feet (2.40 meters) wide, and either 7.874 feet (2.40 meters) high or 8.374 feet (2.55 meters) high.

Not quite. The answer is partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake.

When you start your vehicle, avoid rolling backward or else you may hit someone behind you. Set the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back. Release the parking brake only when you have applied enough engine power to keep from rolling back. If you have a manual transmission vehicle, partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake. On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve, the hand valve can be applied to keep from rolling back.

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 be within 25 feet of the tank.

The person in charge of loading and unloading a cargo tank must be sure a qualified person is always watching. This person watching the loading or unloading must be alert, have a clear view of the cargo tank, be within 25 feet of the tank, know of the hazards of the materials involved, know the procedures to follow in an emergency, be authorized to move the cargo tank and able to do so.

Not quite. The answer is Keep a steady foot on the brake and don't release the brake too soon.

To control the effects of surge, brake far in advance of a stop. Maintain steady pressure on the brakes and don't release them too soon.

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 driving too fast.

Over-braking and over-steering can cause skids. Both over-braking and over-steering are more likely when you're driving too fast for the current road conditions.

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 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 You should avoid traveling alongside other vehicles whenever possible.

Whenever another vehicle is traveling alongside yours, there's always a chance that the vehicle might try to move into your lane and accidentally hit your vehicle. Also, the vehicle is blocking you from changing lanes. It's safer to find an open spot where there are no vehicles on either side of you. (Of course, that may not be possible in heavy, congested traffic.)