25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Delaware CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Placards
When is a placard required for any quantity?
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A.
Some Table 1 materials such as Division 1.1 explosives
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B.
All HazMat over 1,001 pounds gross
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C.
Only Division 6 materials
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D.
Never required for small loads
Correct answer: A.
Table 1 materials require placards for any quantity.
Question 2 of 25 · Loading
When loading or unloading HazMat:
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A.
Set the parking brake
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B.
Be sure the cargo is properly braced
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C.
Stay close to the vehicle
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Keep the brakes set, secure cargo, and remain on alert during loading and unloading.
Question 3 of 25 · Placards
Yellow placards generally indicate:
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A.
Flammable solids
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B.
Oxidizers
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C.
Corrosives
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D.
Radioactive materials
Correct answer: B.
Yellow placards usually indicate oxidizers.
Question 4 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where can a driver find information about which HazMat are flammable?
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A.
Hazardous Materials Table
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B.
CDL test only
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C.
Engine manual
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D.
Driver license documents
Correct answer: A.
The DOT Hazardous Materials Table classifies materials and lists handling requirements.
Question 5 of 25 · Parking
Some HazMat vehicles cannot be parked within how many feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building?
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A.
100 feet
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B.
200 feet
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C.
300 feet
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D.
500 feet
Correct answer: C.
Class 1 (explosives) generally must not be parked within 300 feet of bridges, tunnels, or buildings.
Question 6 of 25 · Loading
What does the term "marking" refer to?
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A.
Marking the shipper's name on the package
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B.
Putting the proper shipping name and ID number on the package
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C.
Marking the truck's plates
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D.
Marking the route on a map
Correct answer: B.
Marking includes the proper shipping name and the four-digit ID number on the package.
Question 7 of 25 · Emergencies
Drivers must report HazMat incidents to:
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A.
The local newspaper
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B.
Carrier and law enforcement, then the National Response Center
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C.
No one — drivers are not responsible
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D.
The shipper only
Correct answer: B.
Notify your carrier and local responders, then call the National Response Center if reportable.
Question 8 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where can drivers find emergency contact information for the materials they're hauling?
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A.
On the placards
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B.
In the shipping papers
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C.
On the trailer doors
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D.
In the glove box
Correct answer: B.
A 24-hour emergency contact number must appear on the shipping papers.
Question 9 of 25 · Placards
What does the placard table tell you?
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A.
Which placards are required for which materials and quantities
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B.
Vehicle dimensions
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C.
Highway routes
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D.
Loading dock procedures
Correct answer: A.
The placarding table sets the placard rules based on hazard class and amount.
Question 10 of 25 · Emergencies
What should you do if HazMat spills on the ground?
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A.
Cover with sand or absorbent material
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B.
Drive away from the spill
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C.
Get qualified help to handle the spill
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D.
Wash it down with water
Correct answer: C.
Get trained responders. Don't cover, push, or wash the spill yourself.
Question 11 of 25 · Emergencies
What does "ERG" stand for?
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A.
Emergency Response Guide
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B.
Energy Regulations Guide
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C.
Environmental Resource Guide
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D.
Emissions Reduction Guide
Correct answer: A.
The DOT Emergency Response Guidebook contains response info for HazMat incidents.
Question 12 of 25 · CDL Rules
What does the letter "H" represent on a CDL?
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A.
Hazardous materials endorsement
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B.
Heavy vehicle endorsement
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C.
Highway driving endorsement
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D.
Hauling endorsement
Correct answer: A.
The H endorsement allows a CDL holder to transport placarded hazardous materials.
Question 13 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Which is true about smoking near HazMat vehicles?
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A.
Smoking is fine while driving
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B.
Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of certain materials
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C.
Smoking is allowed at truck stops
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D.
Smoking is allowed in residential areas
Correct answer: B.
Smoking is forbidden within 25 feet of explosives, oxidizers, and flammables.
Question 14 of 25 · Placards
What does "subsidiary hazard class" mean?
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A.
A secondary hazard a material poses
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B.
A backup placard
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C.
A small package
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D.
A vehicle accessory
Correct answer: A.
Some materials have a primary and a subsidiary hazard class for additional risks.
Question 15 of 25 · Parking
When can a HazMat shipment be left unattended?
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A.
Whenever the driver leaves the vehicle
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B.
Only in safe locations such as a carrier facility
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C.
Anywhere with a sign
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D.
Only on private roads
Correct answer: B.
HazMat must be attended unless parked at a carrier facility or other approved location.
Question 16 of 25 · Emergencies
When a HazMat package leaks, you should:
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A.
Move it to a safe area
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B.
Secure the area and call for help
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C.
Continue the trip
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D.
Place it in the trailer's rear
Correct answer: B.
Don't move leaking packages. Secure the area and contact qualified responders.
Question 17 of 25 · Security
Drivers should report any HazMat shipment that:
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A.
Appears to be tampered with
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B.
Has missing or damaged placards
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C.
Has a strong odor or evidence of leakage
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Always report any sign of tampering, damaged placards, or leak evidence.
Question 18 of 25 · Security
Which is true about HazMat security?
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A.
Drivers should keep doors locked when stopped
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B.
Drivers should never leave the vehicle unattended
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C.
Drivers must follow the carrier's security plan
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
All these practices reduce theft and tampering risk for HazMat.
Question 19 of 25 · HazMat Basics
What's the most important reason for these regulations?
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A.
Public safety
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B.
Protect the environment
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C.
Protect the carrier
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Regulations protect people, property, and the environment.
Question 20 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where do you find a list of names of hazardous wastes?
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A.
EPA Hazardous Waste Manifest
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B.
Driver manual
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C.
Local newspaper
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D.
CDL handbook
Correct answer: A.
Hazardous waste appears on the EPA hazardous waste manifest, signed by both shipper and driver.
Question 21 of 25 · Security
Which of these is part of the carrier's security plan?
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A.
Personnel security
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B.
Unauthorized access prevention
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C.
En-route security
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Carrier security plans cover personnel checks, access controls, and en-route security.
Question 22 of 25 · Shipping Papers
HazMat shipping papers must be:
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A.
Out of the driver's reach
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B.
Within the driver's reach while driving and clearly distinguished from other shipping papers
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C.
In the trailer with the cargo
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D.
Mailed to the receiver in advance
Correct answer: B.
Shipping papers must be within reach and identifiable. They must be on the seat or in a door pouch.
Question 23 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Drivers must check shipping papers for:
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A.
Proper shipping name, hazard class, identification number
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B.
Total quantity
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C.
Emergency response number
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Each entry must include the shipping name, class, ID number, quantity, and emergency contact.
Question 24 of 25 · Shipping Papers
How can a driver determine the hazard class of a material?
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A.
Read the shipping paper or check the Hazardous Materials Table
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B.
Smell the package
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C.
Open the container
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D.
Ask other drivers
Correct answer: A.
The hazard class appears on shipping papers; the Hazardous Materials Table is the master reference.
Question 25 of 25 · Placards
Which placard color usually means a flammable material?
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A.
Red
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B.
Yellow
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C.
Green
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D.
Blue
Correct answer: A.
Red typically indicates flammable materials.
About the Hazardous Materials Test
The Hazardous Materials (HazMat) test covers the rules for transporting materials that pose a risk to health, safety, and property. Topics include the hazardous materials table, shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding, loading and unloading, bulk packaging, driving and parking rules, communications, emergencies, and hazardous materials regulations enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. A federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check is also required.
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Delaware CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Shipping Papers: 6 questions
- Placards: 5 questions
- Emergencies: 4 questions
- Security: 3 questions
- Loading: 2 questions
- Parking: 2 questions
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- HazMat Driving: 1 question
- HazMat Basics: 1 question
How to use this practice test
- Read each question carefully. CDL questions are written precisely — small wording differences matter.
- Click "Show Answers & Explanations" only after answering every question. Don't peek mid-test.
- Read the explanation for every question, even ones you got right. The reasoning is more important than the answer.
- Repeat the test until you score 100%. The questions are deterministic per state, so you can track your improvement over multiple sessions.
- Move on to the other endorsement tests for Delaware until you're ready for the official exam.
Tips specific to the Hazardous Materials test
HazMat is the longest knowledge test (30 questions) and adds a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check. Most candidates struggle with placard colors, the segregation table, shipping paper requirements, and emergency response procedures. Use the official Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) alongside this practice set.