25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Washington 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 · HazMat Basics
Which HazMat is most dangerous if released into the environment?
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A.
Class 7 radioactive
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B.
Class 4 flammable solid
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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 3 of 25 · Emergencies
When a HazMat package leaks, you should:
-
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 4 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 5 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
-
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 6 of 25 · HazMat Driving
What is the speed limit when transporting HazMat through a tunnel?
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A.
Tunnel speed limit minus 10 mph
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B.
Posted limit
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C.
No speed limit applies to HazMat
-
D.
Posted speed unless lower limit is posted for HazMat
Correct answer: D.
Follow posted limits; lower limits often apply specifically to HazMat in tunnels.
Question 7 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Drivers must check shipping papers for:
-
A.
Proper shipping name, hazard class, identification number
-
B.
Total quantity
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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 8 of 25 · Placards
Which of these placards has a yellow background?
-
A.
Flammable solids
-
B.
Oxidizers
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C.
Corrosives
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D.
Radioactive
Correct answer: B.
Yellow background placards typically indicate oxidizers.
Question 9 of 25 · Placards
When is a placard required for any quantity?
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A.
Some Table 1 materials such as Division 1.1 explosives
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B.
All HazMat over 1,001 pounds gross
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C.
Only Division 6 materials
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D.
Never required for small loads
Correct answer: A.
Table 1 materials require placards for any quantity.
Question 10 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Drivers must avoid which of these areas when transporting HazMat?
-
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
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Avoid restricted areas, populated zones, and any ignition sources.
Question 11 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Where can drivers find emergency contact information for the materials they're hauling?
-
A.
On the placards
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B.
In the shipping papers
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C.
On the trailer doors
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D.
In the glove box
Correct answer: B.
A 24-hour emergency contact number must appear on the shipping papers.
Question 12 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Which of these documents must accompany the HazMat?
-
A.
Shipping papers
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B.
Hazard placards
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C.
Emergency response info
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Shipping papers, placards, and emergency info must all accompany the load.
Question 13 of 25 · Placards
What does the placard table tell you?
-
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 14 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
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D.
Physician's certification only
Correct answer: B.
A current CDL with HazMat endorsement (and TSA background check) is required.
Question 15 of 25 · Placards
When must placards be displayed?
-
A.
Before the vehicle is loaded
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B.
Once the HazMat is loaded and secured before driving
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C.
After the trip ends
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D.
Only at weigh stations
Correct answer: B.
Drivers must placard once HazMat is loaded and verify before moving the vehicle.
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 · 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
-
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 18 of 25 · Placards
Which of these is required if a vehicle's placards are missing or destroyed?
-
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
-
D.
Drivers must wait until next shipping point
Correct answer: A.
Replace missing or damaged placards immediately before continuing.
Question 19 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 20 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 21 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 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
-
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 · Rail Crossings
What is the maximum stopping distance allowed for HazMat vehicles approaching a railroad crossing?
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A.
Stop within 15-50 feet of the nearest rail and not closer than 15 feet
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B.
Stop on the tracks
-
C.
Stop only when train is approaching
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D.
No stop required
Correct answer: A.
HazMat vehicles must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail before crossing.
Question 24 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 25 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.
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 Washington Department of Licensing administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Washington CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 7 questions
- Loading: 4 questions
- Emergencies: 3 questions
- HazMat Driving: 3 questions
- Shipping Papers: 3 questions
- CDL Rules: 2 questions
- HazMat Basics: 1 question
- Rail Crossings: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 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 Washington 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.