Question 1 of 25 · Placards
How many sides of a HazMat vehicle must be placarded?
- A. One
- B. Two
- C. Three
- D. Four
Correct answer: D.
Placards must be displayed on all four sides of the vehicle.
Minnesota Hazardous Materials CDL Practice Test
25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Minnesota CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 2 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which of the following is a sign of a tire fire?
- A. Smoke from the tire
- B. A loud noise
- C. Vibration in the steering
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Watch for smoke, noise, and vibration as warning signs of a tire fire.
Question 3 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where can drivers find emergency contact information for the materials they're hauling?
- A. On the placards
- B. In the shipping papers
- C. On the trailer doors
- D. In the glove box
Correct answer: B.
A 24-hour emergency contact number must appear on the shipping papers.
Question 4 of 25 · Loading
When loading or unloading HazMat:
- A. Set the parking brake
- B. Be sure the cargo is properly braced
- C. Stay close to the vehicle
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Keep the brakes set, secure cargo, and remain on alert during loading and unloading.
Question 5 of 25 · Security
Which of these is part of the carrier's security plan?
- A. Personnel security
- B. Unauthorized access prevention
- C. En-route security
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Carrier security plans cover personnel checks, access controls, and en-route security.
Question 6 of 25 · Placards
How are placards different from labels?
- A. Labels go on packages; placards go on vehicles
- B. Placards go on packages and labels go on vehicles
- C. They are the same
- D. Labels are only required outside the U.S.
Correct answer: A.
Labels mark individual packages; placards identify HazMat on vehicles.
Question 7 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Drivers must check shipping papers for:
- A. Proper shipping name, hazard class, identification number
- B. Total quantity
- C. Emergency response number
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Each entry must include the shipping name, class, ID number, quantity, and emergency contact.
Question 8 of 25 · Hours of Service
Drivers transporting hazardous materials must keep a written record of duty status because:
- A. It's a federal regulation for HazMat operations
- B. Insurance requires it
- C. It looks professional
- D. Drivers don't need to keep records
Correct answer: A.
Federal hours-of-service rules apply to HazMat drivers as to other CMV drivers.
Question 9 of 25 · Loading
What is "containment"?
- A. Putting HazMat in proper packaging
- B. A type of placard
- C. Stopping leaks during transport
- D. Containing fumes inside the trailer
Correct answer: A.
Containment means using packaging that meets DOT specifications for the material being shipped.
Question 10 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Are flares allowed when stopped near a HazMat leak?
- A. Yes, always use flares
- B. No, do not use flares near a HazMat leak — use reflective triangles
- C. Only with permission
- D. Only at night
Correct answer: B.
Open flames are dangerous near leaks. Use reflective triangles instead.
Question 11 of 25 · Loading
You should turn off your engine when:
- A. Loading or unloading flammable liquids
- B. Driving on a hill
- C. Inspecting brakes
- D. Refueling on the highway
Correct answer: A.
Turn off the engine when loading or unloading flammable liquids to reduce ignition risk.
Question 12 of 25 · HazMat Basics
How many hazard classes are there?
- A. 5
- B. 7
- C. 9
- D. 11
Correct answer: C.
There are nine UN hazard classes used for HazMat transportation.
Question 13 of 25 · Placards
Green placards usually indicate:
- A. Compressed gases (non-flammable)
- B. Explosives
- C. Poisons
- D. Corrosives
Correct answer: A.
Green placards usually indicate non-flammable compressed gases.
Question 14 of 25 · CDL Rules
Drivers transporting HazMat must have:
- A. Only a regular driver license
- B. A valid CDL with HazMat endorsement and TSA security threat assessment
- C. A passport
- D. Physician's certification only
Correct answer: B.
A current CDL with HazMat endorsement (and TSA background check) is required.
Question 15 of 25 · Emergencies
When a HazMat package leaks, you should:
- A. Move it to a safe area
- B. Secure the area and call for help
- C. Continue the trip
- D. Place it in the trailer's rear
Correct answer: B.
Don't move leaking packages. Secure the area and contact qualified responders.
Question 16 of 25 · Parking
When is parking allowed for HazMat vehicles?
- A. On highway shoulders for any reason
- B. In safe locations away from open flames, heat sources, and people
- C. Anywhere is fine
- D. Only at truck stops
Correct answer: B.
Park away from people, fires, ignition sources, and within sight when possible.
Question 17 of 25 · Parking
Some HazMat vehicles cannot be parked within how many feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Correct answer: C.
Class 1 (explosives) generally must not be parked within 300 feet of bridges, tunnels, or buildings.
Question 18 of 25 · Placards
When must placards be displayed?
- A. Before the vehicle is loaded
- B. Once the HazMat is loaded and secured before driving
- C. After the trip ends
- D. Only at weigh stations
Correct answer: B.
Drivers must placard once HazMat is loaded and verify before moving the vehicle.
Question 19 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Which is true regarding HazMat shipping papers tabs?
- A. They must be tabbed or be the first paper
- B. They are filed alphabetically only
- C. They are not required to be visible
- 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 20 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where must HazMat shipping papers be kept while loading or unloading?
- A. In the cab only
- B. On the dock with the cargo
- C. On the seat of the cab or in a door pouch within reach
- D. Locked in the glove box
Correct answer: C.
Papers must be readily accessible at all times during transport.
Question 21 of 25 · Placards
Placards are warning signs placed on:
- A. Drivers' shirts
- B. The outside of vehicles transporting HazMat
- C. The shipping papers only
- D. Inside the cab
Correct answer: B.
Diamond-shaped placards on the four sides of the vehicle warn others of hazardous cargo.
Question 22 of 25 · HazMat Driving
When can drivers smoke around a HazMat vehicle?
- A. While driving only
- B. When parked at a truck stop
- C. Never within 25 feet of certain materials
- D. Whenever convenient
Correct answer: C.
Smoking is forbidden within 25 feet of HazMat including explosives, oxidizers, or flammables.
Question 23 of 25 · HazMat Driving
What is the speed limit when transporting HazMat through a tunnel?
- A. Tunnel speed limit minus 10 mph
- B. Posted limit
- C. No speed limit applies to HazMat
- D. Posted speed unless lower limit is posted for HazMat
Correct answer: D.
Follow posted limits; lower limits often apply specifically to HazMat in tunnels.
Question 24 of 25 · Security
Which is true about HazMat security?
- A. Drivers should keep doors locked when stopped
- B. Drivers should never leave the vehicle unattended
- C. Drivers must follow the carrier's security plan
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
All these practices reduce theft and tampering risk for HazMat.
Question 25 of 25 · Placards
When is a placard required for any quantity?
- A. Some Table 1 materials such as Division 1.1 explosives
- B. All HazMat over 1,001 pounds gross
- C. Only Division 6 materials
- D. Never required for small loads
Correct answer: A.
Table 1 materials require placards for any quantity.
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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Minnesota CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 6 questions
- Shipping Papers: 4 questions
- Loading: 3 questions
- Emergency Equipment: 2 questions
- Security: 2 questions
- Parking: 2 questions
- HazMat Driving: 2 questions
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- HazMat Basics: 1 question
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- Emergencies: 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 Minnesota 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.