25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Indiana CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 1 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 2 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 3 of 25 · Loading
Which of the following must NEVER be transported with a HazMat shipment?
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A.
Routine cargo
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B.
Other foods
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C.
Class A or B explosives without segregation tables
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D.
Pet food
Correct answer: C.
Explosives have strict segregation rules. Always consult the segregation table.
Question 4 of 25 · Inspection
HazMat drivers must inspect tires:
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A.
Once a day
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B.
At the start of the trip and at every stop
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C.
Once a week
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D.
Only at weigh stations
Correct answer: B.
Inspect tires before the trip and at each stop because hot or damaged tires raise fire risk.
Question 5 of 25 · HazMat Driving
When can drivers smoke around a HazMat vehicle?
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A.
While driving only
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B.
When parked at a truck stop
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C.
Never within 25 feet of certain materials
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D.
Whenever convenient
Correct answer: C.
Smoking is forbidden within 25 feet of HazMat including explosives, oxidizers, or flammables.
Question 6 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Drivers must avoid which of these areas when transporting HazMat?
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A.
Tunnels and bridges where prohibited
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B.
Heavily populated areas when alternative routes exist
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C.
Open flames or heat sources
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Avoid restricted areas, populated zones, and any ignition sources.
Question 7 of 25 · CDL Rules
Drivers transporting HazMat must have:
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A.
Only a regular driver license
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B.
A valid CDL with HazMat endorsement and TSA security threat assessment
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C.
A passport
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D.
Physician's certification only
Correct answer: B.
A current CDL with HazMat endorsement (and TSA background check) is required.
Question 8 of 25 · Placards
Placards are warning signs placed on:
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A.
Drivers' shirts
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B.
The outside of vehicles transporting HazMat
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C.
The shipping papers only
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D.
Inside the cab
Correct answer: B.
Diamond-shaped placards on the four sides of the vehicle warn others of hazardous cargo.
Question 9 of 25 · HazMat Driving
When transporting Class 1 explosives, the driver must:
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A.
Park anywhere convenient
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B.
Have a written route plan and follow it
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C.
Drive only at night
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D.
Drive only on local roads
Correct answer: B.
Drivers must have a route plan and avoid populated areas where possible.
Question 10 of 25 · HazMat Basics
What is "hazard class"?
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A.
A grouping of materials by hazard type
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B.
A type of placard
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C.
A required driving license
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D.
A type of HazMat trailer
Correct answer: A.
There are nine hazard classes that group materials with similar dangers.
Question 11 of 25 · Placards
How many sides of a HazMat vehicle must be placarded?
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A.
One
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B.
Two
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C.
Three
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D.
Four
Correct answer: D.
Placards must be displayed on all four sides of the vehicle.
Question 12 of 25 · Loading
What is "compatibility group letter"?
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A.
A code that tells which explosives can be loaded together
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B.
A type of placard
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C.
A type of vehicle
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D.
A type of safety vest
Correct answer: A.
Letters such as "A," "B," etc., classify explosives that can be transported together.
Question 13 of 25 · Placards
What does each placard show?
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A.
The hazard class number
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B.
A pictorial symbol for the hazard
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C.
The four-digit ID number when required
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Placards show the hazard class number, symbol, and ID number when required.
Question 14 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 15 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which type of fire is most likely to occur with HazMat?
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A.
Tire fires
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B.
Electrical fires
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C.
Engine compartment fires
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Any of these can occur — pre-trip and en-route inspections reduce risk.
Question 16 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 17 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Which is true regarding HazMat shipping papers tabs?
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A.
They must be tabbed or be the first paper
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B.
They are filed alphabetically only
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C.
They are not required to be visible
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D.
They must be in a sealed envelope
Correct answer: A.
HazMat papers must be the top paper or tabbed to be readily identifiable.
Question 18 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 19 of 25 · Tank Operations
Which of these are dangers of hauling liquids in tanks?
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A.
Liquid surge
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B.
Outage requirements
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C.
Top-heavy load
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Surge, outage, and high center of gravity all make tank vehicles uniquely dangerous.
Question 20 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 21 of 25 · Placards
When must placards be displayed?
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A.
Before the vehicle is loaded
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B.
Once the HazMat is loaded and secured before driving
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C.
After the trip ends
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D.
Only at weigh stations
Correct answer: B.
Drivers must placard once HazMat is loaded and verify before moving the vehicle.
Question 22 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Drivers transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives may NOT:
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A.
Take a route that goes through tunnels prohibiting explosives
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B.
Refuel at any station
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C.
Travel during business hours
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D.
Cross any state line
Correct answer: A.
Avoid tunnels and routes prohibiting explosives. Use only approved routes.
Question 23 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Are flares allowed when stopped near a HazMat leak?
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A.
Yes, always use flares
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B.
No, do not use flares near a HazMat leak — use reflective triangles
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C.
Only with permission
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D.
Only at night
Correct answer: B.
Open flames are dangerous near leaks. Use reflective triangles instead.
Question 24 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.
Question 25 of 25 · Loading
What is "containment"?
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A.
Putting HazMat in proper packaging
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B.
A type of placard
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C.
Stopping leaks during transport
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D.
Containing fumes inside the trailer
Correct answer: A.
Containment means using packaging that meets DOT specifications for the material being shipped.
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 Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Indiana CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 7 questions
- HazMat Driving: 4 questions
- Loading: 3 questions
- Shipping Papers: 3 questions
- Emergency Equipment: 2 questions
- Inspection: 1 question
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- HazMat Basics: 1 question
- Security: 1 question
- Tank Operations: 1 question
- Parking: 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 Indiana 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.