Question 1 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.
South Dakota Hazardous Materials CDL Practice Test
25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for South Dakota CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 2 of 25 · Placards
What does "subsidiary hazard class" mean?
- A. A secondary hazard a material poses
- B. A backup placard
- C. A small package
- D. A vehicle accessory
Correct answer: A.
Some materials have a primary and a subsidiary hazard class for additional risks.
Question 3 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 4 of 25 · HazMat Driving
What should a driver do before transporting any HazMat shipment?
- A. Inspect the placards and shipping papers
- B. Inspect the vehicle and cargo
- C. Plan the route
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Verify all paperwork, vehicle, cargo, and route before HazMat transport.
Question 5 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 6 of 25 · Emergencies
What should you do if HazMat spills on the ground?
- A. Cover with sand or absorbent material
- B. Drive away from the spill
- C. Get qualified help to handle the spill
- D. Wash it down with water
Correct answer: C.
Get trained responders. Don't cover, push, or wash the spill yourself.
Question 7 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which of the following is a sign of a tire fire?
- A. Smoke from the tire
- B. A loud noise
- C. Vibration in the steering
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Watch for smoke, noise, and vibration as warning signs of a tire fire.
Question 8 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 9 of 25 · Loading
Which of the following must NEVER be transported with a HazMat shipment?
- A. Routine cargo
- B. Other foods
- C. Class A or B explosives without segregation tables
- D. Pet food
Correct answer: C.
Explosives have strict segregation rules. Always consult the segregation table.
Question 10 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 11 of 25 · Placards
When is a placard required for any quantity?
- A. Some Table 1 materials such as Division 1.1 explosives
- B. All HazMat over 1,001 pounds gross
- C. Only Division 6 materials
- D. Never required for small loads
Correct answer: A.
Table 1 materials require placards for any quantity.
Question 12 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 13 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 14 of 25 · Placards
When must placards be displayed?
- A. Before the vehicle is loaded
- B. Once the HazMat is loaded and secured before driving
- C. After the trip ends
- D. Only at weigh stations
Correct answer: B.
Drivers must placard once HazMat is loaded and verify before moving the vehicle.
Question 15 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where can a driver find information about which HazMat are flammable?
- A. Hazardous Materials Table
- B. CDL test only
- C. Engine manual
- D. Driver license documents
Correct answer: A.
The DOT Hazardous Materials Table classifies materials and lists handling requirements.
Question 16 of 25 · CDL Rules
Drivers transporting HazMat must have:
- A. Only a regular driver license
- B. A valid CDL with HazMat endorsement and TSA security threat assessment
- C. A passport
- D. Physician's certification only
Correct answer: B.
A current CDL with HazMat endorsement (and TSA background check) is required.
Question 17 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.
Question 18 of 25 · Inspection
HazMat drivers must inspect tires:
- A. Once a day
- B. At the start of the trip and at every stop
- C. Once a week
- 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 19 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where must HazMat shipping papers be kept while loading or unloading?
- A. In the cab only
- B. On the dock with the cargo
- C. On the seat of the cab or in a door pouch within reach
- D. Locked in the glove box
Correct answer: C.
Papers must be readily accessible at all times during transport.
Question 20 of 25 · Tank Operations
What does the term "outage" mean in HazMat tank operations?
- A. Loss of electrical power
- B. Empty space left in a tank to allow for liquid expansion
- C. Out-of-service tank
- D. A leak in the tank
Correct answer: B.
Outage is the empty space left for liquid expansion due to temperature changes.
Question 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 of 25 · HazMat Basics
What's the most important reason for these regulations?
- A. Public safety
- B. Protect the environment
- C. Protect the carrier
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Regulations protect people, property, and the environment.
Question 25 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which type of fire is most likely to occur with HazMat?
- A. Tire fires
- B. Electrical fires
- C. Engine compartment fires
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Any of these can occur — pre-trip and en-route inspections reduce risk.
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 South Dakota Driver Licensing Program administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your South Dakota 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: 4 questions
- Parking: 3 questions
- HazMat Driving: 2 questions
- Emergency Equipment: 2 questions
- Loading: 2 questions
- HazMat Basics: 2 questions
- Emergencies: 1 question
- Security: 1 question
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- Inspection: 1 question
- Tank Operations: 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 South Dakota 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.