Question 1 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.
Tennessee Hazardous Materials CDL Practice Test
25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Tennessee CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 2 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Which of these documents must accompany the HazMat?
- A. Shipping papers
- B. Hazard placards
- C. Emergency response info
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Shipping papers, placards, and emergency info must all accompany the load.
Question 3 of 25 · Rail Crossings
When approaching railroad crossings hauling HazMat, you should:
- A. Stop within 15-50 feet of the nearest rail
- B. Stop only at marked crossings
- C. Slow down only
- D. Speed up to clear quickly
Correct answer: A.
Stop 15 to 50 feet from nearest rail. Don't shift gears while crossing.
Question 4 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 5 of 25 · Placards
What does the placard table tell you?
- A. Which placards are required for which materials and quantities
- B. Vehicle dimensions
- C. Highway routes
- D. Loading dock procedures
Correct answer: A.
The placarding table sets the placard rules based on hazard class and amount.
Question 6 of 25 · HazMat Driving
When can drivers smoke around a HazMat vehicle?
- A. While driving only
- B. When parked at a truck stop
- C. Never within 25 feet of certain materials
- D. Whenever convenient
Correct answer: C.
Smoking is forbidden within 25 feet of HazMat including explosives, oxidizers, or flammables.
Question 7 of 25 · Loading
Which of these can never be hauled with explosives?
- A. Cyanides or other toxic substances
- B. Building materials
- C. Foodstuffs
- D. Newspapers
Correct answer: A.
Cyanides, certain other poisons, and other incompatible substances cannot be loaded with explosives.
Question 8 of 25 · Emergencies
What does "ERG" stand for?
- A. Emergency Response Guide
- B. Energy Regulations Guide
- C. Environmental Resource Guide
- D. Emissions Reduction Guide
Correct answer: A.
The DOT Emergency Response Guidebook contains response info for HazMat incidents.
Question 9 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 10 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 11 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.
Question 12 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 13 of 25 · Emergencies
What is the first thing you should do if your HazMat load catches fire?
- A. Pull over, away from buildings or vehicles, then call 911
- B. Drive to the nearest hospital
- C. Continue to destination
- D. Try to put it out with snow
Correct answer: A.
Stop in a safe place, away from people and buildings, then notify emergency services.
Question 14 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 15 of 25 · Placards
How are placards different from labels?
- A. Labels go on packages; placards go on vehicles
- B. Placards go on packages and labels go on vehicles
- C. They are the same
- D. Labels are only required outside the U.S.
Correct answer: A.
Labels mark individual packages; placards identify HazMat on vehicles.
Question 16 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Which is true about smoking near HazMat vehicles?
- A. Smoking is fine while driving
- B. Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of certain materials
- C. Smoking is allowed at truck stops
- D. Smoking is allowed in residential areas
Correct answer: B.
Smoking is forbidden within 25 feet of explosives, oxidizers, and flammables.
Question 17 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 18 of 25 · Emergencies
Drivers must report HazMat incidents to:
- A. The local newspaper
- B. Carrier and law enforcement, then the National Response Center
- C. No one — drivers are not responsible
- D. The shipper only
Correct answer: B.
Notify your carrier and local responders, then call the National Response Center if reportable.
Question 19 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 20 of 25 · Rail Crossings
What is the maximum stopping distance allowed for HazMat vehicles approaching a railroad crossing?
- A. Stop within 15-50 feet of the nearest rail and not closer than 15 feet
- B. Stop on the tracks
- C. Stop only when train is approaching
- D. No stop required
Correct answer: A.
HazMat vehicles must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail before crossing.
Question 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 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 25 of 25 · Placards
Which of these is required if a vehicle's placards are missing or destroyed?
- A. Placards must be replaced before continuing
- B. Drivers can continue without placards
- C. Drivers must call OSHA
- D. Drivers must wait until next shipping point
Correct answer: A.
Replace missing or damaged placards immediately before continuing.
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 Tennessee Department of Safety — Driver Services administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Tennessee CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 7 questions
- Emergencies: 4 questions
- Shipping Papers: 3 questions
- HazMat Driving: 3 questions
- Rail Crossings: 2 questions
- Loading: 2 questions
- HazMat Basics: 2 questions
- 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 Tennessee 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.