25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for New York CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 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 · Hours of Service
Drivers transporting hazardous materials must keep a written record of duty status because:
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A.
It's a federal regulation for HazMat operations
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B.
Insurance requires it
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C.
It looks professional
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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 · 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 10 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 11 of 25 · Loading
What does "blasting agents" refer to?
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A.
Materials used to detonate explosives
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B.
A class of explosives sensitive to ignition
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C.
Cleaning agents
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D.
Aerosol propellants
Correct answer: A.
Blasting agents are materials designed to be set off using a detonator.
Question 12 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 13 of 25 · Parking
When parking HazMat overnight, you should:
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A.
Park near homes
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B.
Choose well-lit, safe areas away from people and buildings
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C.
Park on the shoulder of any road
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D.
Park in residential areas
Correct answer: B.
Use safe, well-lit parking areas away from people and buildings.
Question 14 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 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 19 of 25 · Loading
Which of these can never be hauled with explosives?
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A.
Cyanides or other toxic substances
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B.
Building materials
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C.
Foodstuffs
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D.
Newspapers
Correct answer: A.
Cyanides, certain other poisons, and other incompatible substances cannot be loaded with explosives.
Question 20 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 21 of 25 · Tank Operations
What does the term "outage" mean in HazMat tank operations?
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A.
Loss of electrical power
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B.
Empty space left in a tank to allow for liquid expansion
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C.
Out-of-service tank
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D.
A leak in the tank
Correct answer: B.
Outage is the empty space left for liquid expansion due to temperature changes.
Question 22 of 25 · Emergencies
Which of these is the best advice if you have a HazMat leak?
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A.
Continue to the destination
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B.
Stop, secure the area, communicate the danger, get help
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C.
Try to repair it yourself
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D.
Cover the leak
Correct answer: B.
Stop, secure, communicate, and get qualified help. Don't try to handle leaks yourself.
Question 23 of 25 · Security
Which is true about HazMat training?
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A.
Drivers must be retrained every 3 years
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B.
Training is optional
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C.
Only new drivers need training
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D.
Training is the same as for non-HazMat
Correct answer: A.
HazMat training is required every three years, including security awareness.
Question 24 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 25 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.
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 York State Department of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your New York CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Shipping Papers: 5 questions
- Placards: 5 questions
- Emergencies: 3 questions
- HazMat Driving: 2 questions
- Tank Operations: 2 questions
- Loading: 2 questions
- HazMat Basics: 2 questions
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- Parking: 1 question
- Security: 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 York 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.