25 realistic Tank Vehicles practice questions for North Dakota CDL applicants. Required for: Vehicles with liquid or gaseous tanks ≥1,000 gallons. Official test: 20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Loading
When loading tanks, what must drivers consider?
-
A.
Outage requirements for the liquid
-
B.
Weight distribution between compartments
-
C.
Surge potential
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Outage, weight distribution, and surge management all matter when loading tanks.
Question 2 of 25 · Tank Types
What is a baffled tank?
-
A.
A tank with internal walls that have holes to slow surge
-
B.
A tank with separate compartments
-
C.
A tank with a smooth interior
-
D.
A tank with no walls inside
Correct answer: A.
Baffles slow forward and back surge, but not side-to-side surge.
Question 3 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
When is liquid surge greatest?
-
A.
When tanks are full
-
B.
When tanks are partially full
-
C.
When tanks are empty
-
D.
When tanks are heated
Correct answer: B.
Surge is greatest when tanks are partially full and the liquid can move freely.
Question 4 of 25 · Inspection
What is the proper way to inspect a tank before driving?
-
A.
Check valves, manhole, and tank shell for leaks and damage
-
B.
Just check the tires
-
C.
Only inspect the engine
-
D.
Skip inspection if you're in a hurry
Correct answer: A.
Inspect valves, manhole, shell, hoses, and other tank components every pre-trip.
Question 5 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What's the best practice for starting on slippery roads with a tanker?
-
A.
Accelerate slowly to avoid wheel spin
-
B.
Accelerate quickly
-
C.
Use the lowest gear and slip clutch
-
D.
Use parking brake
Correct answer: A.
Smooth, slow acceleration avoids spinning the drive tires.
Question 6 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
What can cause a tanker to roll over?
-
A.
Sharp turns
-
B.
Sudden steering corrections
-
C.
Speed too high for road conditions
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
All of these can cause rollovers; smooth, slow inputs reduce risk.
Question 7 of 25 · Emergencies
What action should a driver take if a tank starts to leak?
-
A.
Stop immediately in a safe area and report the leak
-
B.
Continue to destination
-
C.
Try to close the leak
-
D.
Drive faster
Correct answer: A.
Stop in a safe area, secure the area, and notify the carrier and emergency services.
Question 8 of 25 · Operation
What's the recommended safe braking technique for tank trucks?
-
A.
Apply brakes gradually well before stopping
-
B.
Quick, hard braking
-
C.
Use the engine retarder primarily
-
D.
Brake at the last second
Correct answer: A.
Brake gradually and well in advance — sudden braking magnifies surge.
Question 9 of 25 · Speed Management
What should you do when going around curves with a tanker?
-
A.
Slow down well below the posted speed
-
B.
Drive at the posted speed limit
-
C.
Use the engine retarder
-
D.
Lock the brakes
Correct answer: A.
Take curves at speeds well below the posted limit to avoid rollovers.
Question 10 of 25 · Tank Types
What's a key difference between compartmented and smooth-bore tanks?
-
A.
Compartmented tanks reduce surge between sections
-
B.
Smooth-bore tanks have less surge
-
C.
They are the same in terms of surge
-
D.
Compartmented tanks are always larger
Correct answer: A.
Compartmented tanks reduce overall surge by limiting movement to each section.
Question 11 of 25 · Loading
What is a vapor recovery system?
-
A.
A way to recover heat
-
B.
A system to recover vapors during loading and unloading to reduce emissions
-
C.
An air brake component
-
D.
A backup pump
Correct answer: B.
Vapor recovery captures vapors during transfer to limit emissions.
Question 12 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
What's a key safety feature in modern tankers?
-
A.
Automatic emergency braking
-
B.
Stability control systems
-
C.
Reinforced tank shells
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Modern tankers often combine ABS, stability control, and reinforced shells for safety.
Question 13 of 25 · CDL Rules
How are tanker drivers trained for hazardous cargo?
-
A.
Same as regular drivers
-
B.
They receive specialized training and may need HazMat endorsement
-
C.
No specific training required
-
D.
They are trained by the shipper
Correct answer: B.
Hazardous tankers require additional training and often a HazMat endorsement.
Question 14 of 25 · Rail Crossings
What's the recommended safe practice when crossing railroad tracks with a tanker?
-
A.
Stop within 15-50 feet of nearest rail and look and listen for trains
-
B.
Speed up across the tracks
-
C.
Stop on the tracks
-
D.
Drive across normally
Correct answer: A.
Stop 15 to 50 feet from nearest rail. Don't shift gears while crossing.
Question 15 of 25 · Loading
How can drivers tell if a tank is properly loaded?
-
A.
Check that all compartments are filled within outage limits
-
B.
Check the weight distribution
-
C.
Confirm valves are closed
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Verify outage, weight distribution, and closed valves before moving.
Question 16 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What's the safe way to handle a tanker on icy roads?
-
A.
Slow down and increase following distance
-
B.
Use chains if required
-
C.
Avoid sudden braking and steering
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Reduced speed, chains where required, and smooth inputs reduce risk on ice.
Question 17 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
What can drivers do to control surge?
-
A.
Brake gradually well before stopping
-
B.
Accelerate gradually
-
C.
Allow extra following distance
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Smooth braking and acceleration, plus extra space, all help control surge.
Question 18 of 25 · Backing
What should a driver do before backing a tanker?
-
A.
Check the path with a helper
-
B.
Look behind the vehicle
-
C.
Walk around the vehicle to check clearances
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Use a helper, walk-around, and check the path before backing.
Question 19 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
When is it most dangerous to brake suddenly in a tanker?
-
A.
When tank is partially full
-
B.
When tank is fully loaded
-
C.
When tank is empty
-
D.
When tank is heated
Correct answer: A.
Partial loads create the most surge during sudden braking.
Question 20 of 25 · Tank Types
What is a "smooth bore" tank?
-
A.
A tank with internal baffles
-
B.
A tank without internal baffles or compartments
-
C.
A heated tank
-
D.
A two-compartment tank
Correct answer: B.
Smooth-bore tanks have no internal baffles, so liquid surge is unrestrained.
Question 21 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
How do drivers minimize side-to-side surge?
-
A.
Avoid abrupt lane changes and turns
-
B.
Take turns wide and slow
-
C.
Use partial loads
-
D.
Both A and B
Correct answer: D.
Smooth, slow inputs and wide turns help reduce side-to-side surge.
Question 22 of 25 · Placards
What's the role of the tanker placard?
-
A.
To identify cargo for emergency responders
-
B.
To indicate the vehicle is heavy
-
C.
To indicate the vehicle is restricted
-
D.
To warn of slow speed
Correct answer: A.
Placards identify cargo, alerting first responders to the type of hazard.
Question 23 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Why is "no smoking" enforced near tankers?
-
A.
Risk of fire and explosion from cargo vapors
-
B.
Cleanliness
-
C.
Tradition
-
D.
OSHA rules only
Correct answer: A.
Vapors can ignite or explode; smoking is prohibited near tankers.
Question 24 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
What's the best approach to handling a flat tire on a tanker?
-
A.
Pull over safely and replace the tire or call for help
-
B.
Continue driving
-
C.
Drive faster to make it to the next exit
-
D.
Stop in the middle of the road
Correct answer: A.
Stop safely and address the flat — driving on it can lead to bigger problems.
Question 25 of 25 · Mountain Driving
How do drivers control speed on downgrades with tankers?
-
A.
Use lower gears and engine braking
-
B.
Use service brakes only
-
C.
Coast with no brakes
-
D.
Use parking brake
Correct answer: A.
Use proper low gears and engine braking; service brakes only intermittently.
About the Tank Vehicles Test
The Tank Vehicles test covers inspecting tank vehicles, driving tank vehicles, surge and liquid movement, baffled and unbaffled tanks, outage, and safe driving rules unique to large liquid loads. Tank vehicles handle very differently from dry-freight vehicles because liquid surge can shove the vehicle in the direction the wave moves.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation — Drivers License administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the Tank Endorsement (N) on your North Dakota CDL, you need to score at least 16 out of 20 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Vehicle Dynamics: 6 questions
- Loading: 3 questions
- Tank Types: 3 questions
- Adverse Conditions: 2 questions
- Inspection: 1 question
- Emergencies: 1 question
- Operation: 1 question
- Speed Management: 1 question
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- Rail Crossings: 1 question
- Backing: 1 question
- Placards: 1 question
- HazMat Driving: 1 question
- Emergency Maneuvers: 1 question
- Mountain 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 North Dakota until you're ready for the official exam.
Tips specific to the Tank Vehicles test
Tank vehicle questions focus on liquid surge, outage, smooth-bore versus baffled tanks, high center of gravity, and the special braking and turning techniques required to keep a partially-loaded tank under control. Expect several questions about leak response and load distribution.