25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Nebraska CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Emergencies
What is the first thing you should do if your HazMat load catches fire?
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A.
Pull over, away from buildings or vehicles, then call 911
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B.
Drive to the nearest hospital
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C.
Continue to destination
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D.
Try to put it out with snow
Correct answer: A.
Stop in a safe place, away from people and buildings, then notify emergency services.
Question 2 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Which of these documents must accompany the HazMat?
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A.
Shipping papers
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B.
Hazard placards
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C.
Emergency response info
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Shipping papers, placards, and emergency info must all accompany the load.
Question 3 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 4 of 25 · Shipping Papers
What information must a HazMat driver have on the bills of lading?
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A.
Total quantity by weight or volume
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B.
Number and type of packages
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C.
Shipping name and hazard class
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
All of these must be included for HazMat shipments.
Question 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 of 25 · HazMat Driving
What is the speed limit when transporting HazMat through a tunnel?
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A.
Tunnel speed limit minus 10 mph
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B.
Posted limit
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C.
No speed limit applies to HazMat
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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 9 of 25 · Placards
Which of these placards has a yellow background?
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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
Correct answer: B.
Yellow background placards typically indicate oxidizers.
Question 10 of 25 · Emergencies
When must drivers inform the carrier and emergency responders during a HazMat emergency?
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A.
As soon as it's safe to do so
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B.
When they reach the destination
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C.
Only after the cargo is unloaded
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D.
Only if asked
Correct answer: A.
Notify carrier and authorities immediately as soon as you can safely do so.
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 · 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 13 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 14 of 25 · HazMat Basics
Which is the goal of HazMat regulations?
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A.
To make HazMat transport safer for everyone
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B.
To allow easy transport of HazMat
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C.
To increase shipping costs
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D.
To require more inspections
Correct answer: A.
HazMat rules contain risk to public safety, property, and the environment.
Question 15 of 25 · Placards
Which of these is required if a vehicle's placards are missing or destroyed?
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A.
Placards must be replaced before continuing
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B.
Drivers can continue without placards
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C.
Drivers must call OSHA
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D.
Drivers must wait until next shipping point
Correct answer: A.
Replace missing or damaged placards immediately before continuing.
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 · 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 18 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 19 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 20 of 25 · HazMat Basics
Which HazMat is most dangerous if released into the environment?
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A.
Class 7 radioactive
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B.
Class 4 flammable solid
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C.
All HazMat are dangerous and require precaution
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D.
Class 9 miscellaneous
Correct answer: C.
Treat every HazMat shipment as dangerous and follow all rules.
Question 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 of 25 · Placards
Green placards usually indicate:
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A.
Compressed gases (non-flammable)
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B.
Explosives
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C.
Poisons
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D.
Corrosives
Correct answer: A.
Green placards usually indicate non-flammable compressed gases.
Question 25 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.
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 Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Nebraska CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 7 questions
- Emergencies: 4 questions
- Shipping Papers: 4 questions
- HazMat Driving: 4 questions
- Loading: 2 questions
- Security: 2 questions
- HazMat Basics: 2 questions
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 Nebraska 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.