25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Oregon CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Emergencies
Drivers must report HazMat incidents to:
-
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 2 of 25 · Inspection
HazMat drivers must inspect tires:
-
A.
Once a day
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B.
At the start of the trip and at every stop
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C.
Once a week
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D.
Only at weigh stations
Correct answer: B.
Inspect tires before the trip and at each stop because hot or damaged tires raise fire risk.
Question 3 of 25 · Loading
You should turn off your engine when:
-
A.
Loading or unloading flammable liquids
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B.
Driving on a hill
-
C.
Inspecting brakes
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D.
Refueling on the highway
Correct answer: A.
Turn off the engine when loading or unloading flammable liquids to reduce ignition risk.
Question 4 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Drivers transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives may NOT:
-
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 5 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
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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 6 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Are flares allowed when stopped near a HazMat leak?
-
A.
Yes, always use flares
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B.
No, do not use flares near a HazMat leak — use reflective triangles
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C.
Only with permission
-
D.
Only at night
Correct answer: B.
Open flames are dangerous near leaks. Use reflective triangles instead.
Question 7 of 25 · Parking
When can a HazMat shipment be left unattended?
-
A.
Whenever the driver leaves the vehicle
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B.
Only in safe locations such as a carrier facility
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C.
Anywhere with a sign
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D.
Only on private roads
Correct answer: B.
HazMat must be attended unless parked at a carrier facility or other approved location.
Question 8 of 25 · Loading
Which of these can never be hauled with explosives?
-
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 9 of 25 · Placards
Green placards usually indicate:
-
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 10 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 11 of 25 · Shipping Papers
HazMat shipping papers must be:
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A.
Out of the driver's reach
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B.
Within the driver's reach while driving and clearly distinguished from other shipping papers
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C.
In the trailer with the cargo
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D.
Mailed to the receiver in advance
Correct answer: B.
Shipping papers must be within reach and identifiable. They must be on the seat or in a door pouch.
Question 12 of 25 · Security
Which is true about HazMat security?
-
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 13 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 14 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 15 of 25 · HazMat Basics
How many hazard classes are there?
Correct answer: C.
There are nine UN hazard classes used for HazMat transportation.
Question 16 of 25 · HazMat Driving
When transporting HazMat over long distances, drivers should:
-
A.
Stay alert, take rest breaks, and inspect the load regularly
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B.
Drive at maximum speed limit
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C.
Skip rest stops to save time
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D.
Avoid highways
Correct answer: A.
Stay alert with regular rest breaks; inspect cargo at every stop.
Question 17 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 18 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 19 of 25 · Parking
Some HazMat vehicles cannot be parked within how many feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building?
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A.
100 feet
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B.
200 feet
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C.
300 feet
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D.
500 feet
Correct answer: C.
Class 1 (explosives) generally must not be parked within 300 feet of bridges, tunnels, or buildings.
Question 20 of 25 · Parking
When is parking allowed for HazMat vehicles?
-
A.
On highway shoulders for any reason
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B.
In safe locations away from open flames, heat sources, and people
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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 21 of 25 · Loading
What is "containment"?
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A.
Putting HazMat in proper packaging
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B.
A type of placard
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C.
Stopping leaks during transport
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D.
Containing fumes inside the trailer
Correct answer: A.
Containment means using packaging that meets DOT specifications for the material being shipped.
Question 22 of 25 · Placards
What does "subsidiary hazard class" mean?
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A.
A secondary hazard a material poses
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B.
A backup placard
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C.
A small package
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D.
A vehicle accessory
Correct answer: A.
Some materials have a primary and a subsidiary hazard class for additional risks.
Question 23 of 25 · Placards
How are placards different from labels?
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A.
Labels go on packages; placards go on vehicles
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B.
Placards go on packages and labels go on vehicles
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C.
They are the same
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D.
Labels are only required outside the U.S.
Correct answer: A.
Labels mark individual packages; placards identify HazMat on vehicles.
Question 24 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 25 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.
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 Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Oregon CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 6 questions
- Parking: 4 questions
- Loading: 3 questions
- Shipping Papers: 3 questions
- HazMat Driving: 2 questions
- Security: 2 questions
- Emergencies: 1 question
- Inspection: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- Emergency Equipment: 1 question
- HazMat Basics: 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 Oregon 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.