25 realistic Hazardous Materials practice questions for Wisconsin CDL applicants. Required for: Drivers transporting placarded hazardous materials. Official test: 30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
Question 1 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 2 of 25 · Placards
Which of these placards has a yellow background?
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A.
Flammable solids
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B.
Oxidizers
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C.
Corrosives
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D.
Radioactive
Correct answer: B.
Yellow background placards typically indicate oxidizers.
Question 3 of 25 · Loading
Which of these can never be hauled with explosives?
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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 4 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Which is true about smoking near HazMat vehicles?
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A.
Smoking is fine while driving
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B.
Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of certain materials
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C.
Smoking is allowed at truck stops
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D.
Smoking is allowed in residential areas
Correct answer: B.
Smoking is forbidden within 25 feet of explosives, oxidizers, and flammables.
Question 5 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 6 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.
Question 7 of 25 · Placards
Placards are warning signs placed on:
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A.
Drivers' shirts
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B.
The outside of vehicles transporting HazMat
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C.
The shipping papers only
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D.
Inside the cab
Correct answer: B.
Diamond-shaped placards on the four sides of the vehicle warn others of hazardous cargo.
Question 8 of 25 · Security
Which is true about HazMat security?
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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 9 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 10 of 25 · Emergencies
What is the first thing you should do if your HazMat load catches fire?
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A.
Pull over, away from buildings or vehicles, then call 911
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B.
Drive to the nearest hospital
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C.
Continue to destination
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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 11 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
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D.
Class 9 miscellaneous
Correct answer: C.
Treat every HazMat shipment as dangerous and follow all rules.
Question 12 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.
Question 13 of 25 · HazMat Basics
Which is the goal of HazMat regulations?
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A.
To make HazMat transport safer for everyone
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B.
To allow easy transport of HazMat
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C.
To increase shipping costs
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D.
To require more inspections
Correct answer: A.
HazMat rules contain risk to public safety, property, and the environment.
Question 14 of 25 · Loading
When loading or unloading HazMat:
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A.
Set the parking brake
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B.
Be sure the cargo is properly braced
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C.
Stay close to the vehicle
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Keep the brakes set, secure cargo, and remain on alert during loading and unloading.
Question 15 of 25 · Placards
What does each placard show?
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A.
The hazard class number
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B.
A pictorial symbol for the hazard
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C.
The four-digit ID number when required
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Placards show the hazard class number, symbol, and ID number when required.
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 · 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 18 of 25 · Parking
When is parking allowed for HazMat vehicles?
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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
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D.
Only at truck stops
Correct answer: B.
Park away from people, fires, ignition sources, and within sight when possible.
Question 19 of 25 · Shipping Papers
Which is true regarding HazMat shipping papers tabs?
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A.
They must be tabbed or be the first paper
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B.
They are filed alphabetically only
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C.
They are not required to be visible
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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 20 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 21 of 25 · CDL Rules
Drivers transporting HazMat must have:
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A.
Only a regular driver license
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B.
A valid CDL with HazMat endorsement and TSA security threat assessment
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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 22 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 23 of 25 · Loading
What does the term "marking" refer to?
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A.
Marking the shipper's name on the package
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B.
Putting the proper shipping name and ID number on the package
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C.
Marking the truck's plates
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D.
Marking the route on a map
Correct answer: B.
Marking includes the proper shipping name and the four-digit ID number on the package.
Question 24 of 25 · HazMat Driving
Drivers transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives may NOT:
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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 25 of 25 · Loading
Which of the following must NEVER be transported with a HazMat shipment?
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A.
Routine cargo
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B.
Other foods
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C.
Class A or B explosives without segregation tables
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D.
Pet food
Correct answer: C.
Explosives have strict segregation rules. Always consult the segregation table.
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 Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the HazMat Endorsement (H) on your Wisconsin CDL, you need to score at least 24 out of 30 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Placards: 5 questions
- Loading: 5 questions
- HazMat Driving: 3 questions
- Shipping Papers: 3 questions
- Emergencies: 2 questions
- Parking: 2 questions
- HazMat Basics: 2 questions
- Security: 1 question
- Emergency Equipment: 1 question
- CDL Rules: 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 Wisconsin 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.