Question 1 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.
New Hampshire Hazardous Materials CDL Practice Test
25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for New Hampshire CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 of 25 · CDL Rules
What does the letter "H" represent on a CDL?
- A. Hazardous materials endorsement
- B. Heavy vehicle endorsement
- C. Highway driving endorsement
- D. Hauling endorsement
Correct answer: A.
The H endorsement allows a CDL holder to transport placarded hazardous materials.
Question 6 of 25 · Parking
When can a HazMat shipment be left unattended?
- A. Whenever the driver leaves the vehicle
- B. Only in safe locations such as a carrier facility
- C. Anywhere with a sign
- D. Only on private roads
Correct answer: B.
HazMat must be attended unless parked at a carrier facility or other approved location.
Question 7 of 25 · HazMat Basics
What is "hazard class"?
- A. A grouping of materials by hazard type
- B. A type of placard
- C. A required driving license
- D. A type of HazMat trailer
Correct answer: A.
There are nine hazard classes that group materials with similar dangers.
Question 8 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 9 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 10 of 25 · Security
Which is true about HazMat training?
- A. Drivers must be retrained every 3 years
- B. Training is optional
- C. Only new drivers need training
- D. Training is the same as for non-HazMat
Correct answer: A.
HazMat training is required every three years, including security awareness.
Question 11 of 25 · Loading
What is "compatibility group letter"?
- A. A code that tells which explosives can be loaded together
- B. A type of placard
- C. A type of vehicle
- D. A type of safety vest
Correct answer: A.
Letters such as "A," "B," etc., classify explosives that can be transported together.
Question 12 of 25 · HazMat Basics
Which HazMat is most dangerous if released into the environment?
- A. Class 7 radioactive
- B. Class 4 flammable solid
- C. All HazMat are dangerous and require precaution
- D. Class 9 miscellaneous
Correct answer: C.
Treat every HazMat shipment as dangerous and follow all rules.
Question 13 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 14 of 25 · Loading
What does "blasting agents" refer to?
- A. Materials used to detonate explosives
- B. A class of explosives sensitive to ignition
- C. Cleaning agents
- D. Aerosol propellants
Correct answer: A.
Blasting agents are materials designed to be set off using a detonator.
Question 15 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 16 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 17 of 25 · Placards
Yellow placards generally indicate:
- A. Flammable solids
- B. Oxidizers
- C. Corrosives
- D. Radioactive materials
Correct answer: B.
Yellow placards usually indicate oxidizers.
Question 18 of 25 · Shipping Papers
How can a driver determine the hazard class of a material?
- A. Read the shipping paper or check the Hazardous Materials Table
- B. Smell the package
- C. Open the container
- D. Ask other drivers
Correct answer: A.
The hazard class appears on shipping papers; the Hazardous Materials Table is the master reference.
Question 19 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 20 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 21 of 25 · Placards
Which placard color usually means a flammable material?
- A. Red
- B. Yellow
- C. Green
- D. Blue
Correct answer: A.
Red typically indicates flammable materials.
Question 22 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 23 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.
Question 24 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 25 of 25 · HazMat Driving
When transporting Class 1 explosives, the driver must:
- A. Park anywhere convenient
- B. Have a written route plan and follow it
- C. Drive only at night
- D. Drive only on local roads
Correct answer: B.
Drivers must have a route plan and avoid populated areas where possible.
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 New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your New Hampshire CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 5 questions
- Shipping Papers: 4 questions
- HazMat Basics: 3 questions
- Parking: 3 questions
- Loading: 3 questions
- Security: 3 questions
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- Emergency Equipment: 1 question
- Emergencies: 1 question
- HazMat Driving: 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 New Hampshire 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.