CDL Endorsements

CDL Endorsements Hazardous Materials Practice Questions

Hazardous Materials makes up 13 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest CDL Endorsements practice test. Here are 10 of the 52 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.

Updated 2026-11-10 by the Tigertest team. Based on FMCSA CDL Manual sections 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. HazMat also needs a TSA security threat assessment.

1. 1. The hazardous materials rules aim to contain the product, communicate the risk, and do what else?

   • A.Lower freight costs for shippers
   • B.Assure safe drivers and equipment
   • C.Keep hazmat off all interstates
   • D.Standardize billing between carriers

   Answer: B. The regulations have three goals: contain the product, communicate the risk, and assure safe drivers and equipment. Cost, billing, and banning interstates are not goals of the rules.

2. 2. You will drive a 20,000-pound box truck hauling a load that requires hazmat placards. What license do you need?

   • A.A regular license, since it is under 26,001 pounds
   • B.A CDL with only a tank endorsement
   • C.No CDL if the trip stays in-state
   • D.A CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement

   Answer: D. Any vehicle that must be placarded for hazardous materials requires a CDL with the H endorsement, regardless of its weight.

3. 3. Besides passing the knowledge test, what must an applicant complete to get or renew a hazmat endorsement?

   • A.A TSA security threat assessment
   • B.A road test driving a loaded cargo tank
   • C.A hazmat firefighting course
   • D.A DOT cardiac stress test

   Answer: A. Federal law requires a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment (background check) before a state issues or renews an H endorsement.

4. 4. How many hazard classes does the U.S. Department of Transportation use to classify hazardous materials?

   • A.6
   • B.12
   • C.9
   • D.4

   Answer: C. Hazardous materials are grouped into nine hazard classes, from Class 1 explosives through Class 9 miscellaneous hazardous materials. The older ORM-D designation was phased out at the start of 2021.

5. 5. Which hazard class covers corrosive materials such as battery acid?

   • A.Class 4
   • B.Class 9
   • C.Class 8
   • D.Class 6

   Answer: C. Class 8 is corrosives. Class 6 is poisons and infectious substances, Class 4 is flammable solids, and Class 9 is miscellaneous.

6. 6. Hazard Class 6 includes which two types of hazardous materials?

   • A.Poisons and infectious substances
   • B.Oxidizers and organic peroxides
   • C.Flammable and combustible liquids
   • D.Radioactive and fissile materials

   Answer: A. Division 6.1 is poisonous (toxic) materials and Division 6.2 is infectious substances. Oxidizers are Class 5, flammable liquids Class 3, and radioactive Class 7.

7. 7. What does the hazmat shipping designation ORM-D stand for?

   • A.Oxidizing Reactive Material-Dangerous
   • B.Organic Residue Mixture-Diluted
   • C.Optional Reporting Material-Division
   • D.Other Regulated Material-Domestic

   Answer: D. ORM-D means Other Regulated Material-Domestic. It was used for consumer commodities such as some aerosols, but since January 1, 2021 those items ship as limited quantities instead. Some CDL manuals still mention the term.

8. 8. You see a regulated hazmat that is not an explosive, gas, flammable, oxidizer, poison, radioactive, or corrosive. Which class fits it?

   • A.Class 2, gases
   • B.Class 9, miscellaneous hazardous materials
   • C.Class 6, poisons and infectious substances
   • D.Class 4, flammable solids

   Answer: B. Class 9 covers miscellaneous hazardous materials that do not meet the definition of Classes 1 through 8.

9. 9. In the Hazardous Materials Table, what does a plus sign (+) in Column 1 mean?

   • A.The material may be shipped by water only
   • B.The shipping name and hazard class are fixed
   • C.A technical name must be added
   • D.The material may be shipped by air only

   Answer: B. A plus sign fixes the proper shipping name and hazard class even if the material does not meet that class definition. A means air, W means water, and G means a technical name is required.

10. 10. Column 5 of the Hazardous Materials Table gives the packing group. Which packing group shows the greatest danger?

    • A.Packing Group IV
    • B.Packing Group II
    • C.Packing Group III
    • D.Packing Group I

    Answer: D. Packing groups run from I (great danger) to III (minor danger). There is no Packing Group IV.