25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Vermont CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 1 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 2 of 25 · Inspection
HazMat drivers must inspect tires:
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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 · Emergencies
What should you do if HazMat spills on the ground?
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A.
Cover with sand or absorbent material
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B.
Drive away from the spill
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C.
Get qualified help to handle the spill
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D.
Wash it down with water
Correct answer: C.
Get trained responders. Don't cover, push, or wash the spill yourself.
Question 4 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Are flares allowed when stopped near a HazMat leak?
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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
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D.
Only at night
Correct answer: B.
Open flames are dangerous near leaks. Use reflective triangles instead.
Question 5 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Drivers must check shipping papers for:
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A.
Proper shipping name, hazard class, identification number
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B.
Total quantity
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C.
Emergency response number
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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 · 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 7 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 8 of 25 · CDL Rules
What does the letter "H" represent on a CDL?
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A.
Hazardous materials endorsement
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B.
Heavy vehicle endorsement
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C.
Highway driving endorsement
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D.
Hauling endorsement
Correct answer: A.
The H endorsement allows a CDL holder to transport placarded hazardous materials.
Question 9 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 10 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 11 of 25 · Emergencies
When a HazMat package leaks, you should:
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A.
Move it to a safe area
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B.
Secure the area and call for help
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C.
Continue the trip
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D.
Place it in the trailer's rear
Correct answer: B.
Don't move leaking packages. Secure the area and contact qualified responders.
Question 12 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which of the following is a sign of a tire fire?
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A.
Smoke from the tire
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B.
A loud noise
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C.
Vibration in the steering
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Watch for smoke, noise, and vibration as warning signs of a tire fire.
Question 13 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 14 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where must HazMat shipping papers be kept while loading or unloading?
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A.
In the cab only
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B.
On the dock with the cargo
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C.
On the seat of the cab or in a door pouch within reach
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D.
Locked in the glove box
Correct answer: C.
Papers must be readily accessible at all times during transport.
Question 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 of 25 · HazMat Basics
How many hazard classes are there?
Correct answer: C.
There are nine UN hazard classes used for HazMat transportation.
Question 19 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 20 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 21 of 25 · Security
Drivers should report any HazMat shipment that:
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A.
Appears to be tampered with
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B.
Has missing or damaged placards
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C.
Has a strong odor or evidence of leakage
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Always report any sign of tampering, damaged placards, or leak evidence.
Question 22 of 25 · Loading
What is "compatibility group letter"?
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A.
A code that tells which explosives can be loaded together
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B.
A type of placard
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C.
A type of vehicle
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D.
A type of safety vest
Correct answer: A.
Letters such as "A," "B," etc., classify explosives that can be transported together.
Question 23 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 24 of 25 · HazMat Driving
What should a driver do before transporting any HazMat shipment?
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A.
Inspect the placards and shipping papers
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B.
Inspect the vehicle and cargo
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C.
Plan the route
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Verify all paperwork, vehicle, cargo, and route before HazMat transport.
Question 25 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Drivers must avoid which of these areas when transporting HazMat?
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A.
Tunnels and bridges where prohibited
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B.
Heavily populated areas when alternative routes exist
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C.
Open flames or heat sources
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Avoid restricted areas, populated zones, and any ignition sources.
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 Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Vermont CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Emergencies: 5 questions
- Placards: 4 questions
- Shipping Papers: 3 questions
- Loading: 3 questions
- Emergency Equipment: 2 questions
- Security: 2 questions
- HazMat Driving: 2 questions
- Inspection: 1 question
- CDL Rules: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 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 Vermont 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.