Texas CDL Hazmat Exam Flashcards

Q: What score do I need to pass the Texas CDL Hazmat test?

Federal CDL rules under 49 CFR Section 383.135 require at least 80% correct on CDL knowledge tests, which for the Texas Hazardous Materials Exam means 24 of 30 questions correct. Texas DPS administers the test at driver license offices as part of the H endorsement application.

Q: Do I need a TSA background check to get the Texas H endorsement?

Yes. Texas DPS states that a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement cannot be issued until the applicant completes a TSA security threat assessment, including fingerprinting through a TSA-approved vendor, as required by the USA PATRIOT Act. First-time H applicants must also complete ELDT before the knowledge test.

Q: How many times can I retake the Texas CDL Hazmat knowledge test, and how long do I have to wait?

Texas CDL knowledge tests generally require a minimum 24-hour wait before a retest, with up to three attempts allowed within a 90-day application window. If all three attempts are used or the 90 days lapse, the application is voided and the applicant must file a new application and pay the $25 fee again. Texas DPS does not publish a separate public retake interval specific to the Hazardous Materials Exam, so confirm current procedure with your local driver license office.

Q: Does the 300-foot no-parking rule apply to every hazmat load?

No. Under 49 CFR 397.7, the 300-foot rule (no parking near a bridge, tunnel, building, crowd, or open fire) applies specifically to vehicles carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives. It is not a general rule for every placarded hazard class, though other attendance and parking rules still apply to hazmat loads generally.

Q: What's the difference between the Texas H and X endorsements?

The H endorsement authorizes transporting hazardous materials that require placards. The X endorsement combines tank vehicle authority with hazardous materials authority, so a driver needing both must pass the tank vehicle and hazardous materials knowledge tests to earn the X.

Question 1

What are the four required elements of a basic hazardous materials shipping description, in order?

Accepted Answer

1) UN/NA identification number, 2) proper shipping name, 3) hazard class or division, 4) packing group (Roman numeral, when the material has one) — always in that sequence on the shipping paper.

Question 2

Where must the total quantity of a hazardous material appear relative to the basic shipping description?

Accepted Answer

Immediately before or after the basic description on the shipping paper, alongside the ID number, shipping name, hazard class, and packing group.

Question 3

What does 'RQ' next to a shipping description mean?

Accepted Answer

RQ marks a Reportable Quantity. If a release of that amount occurs, the carrier has federal reporting obligations. RQ is written with the basic description, not as a separate entry.

Question 4

How must a hazmat entry stand out on a shipping paper that also lists non-hazardous freight?

Accepted Answer

It must be listed first, or highlighted in a contrasting color, or marked with an X (or RQ) in a column captioned 'HM' immediately before the description.

Question 5

Where must a driver keep the shipping papers while actually driving?

Accepted Answer

In a pouch on the driver's door, or in clear view within immediate reach while the seat belt is fastened — never locked in a toolbox or out of reach.

Question 6

If a driver steps away from the vehicle, where should the shipping papers be left?

Accepted Answer

On the driver's seat or in the driver's door pouch, so they're immediately visible and available to emergency responders.

Question 7

How long must a shipper retain a copy of a hazardous materials shipping paper?

Accepted Answer

Two years from the date the carrier accepted the material — extended to three years for hazardous waste manifests.

Question 8

How long must a carrier that did NOT originate a hazmat shipment keep the shipping paper?

Accepted Answer

At least one year after the material was accepted, even though that carrier wasn't the shipper — it's proof the material moved lawfully through the chain.

Question 9

What is required of the signature on a hazardous waste manifest?

Accepted Answer

It must be signed by hand and dated — a typed or stamped name does not satisfy the requirement.

Question 10

What must emergency response information accompanying a shipment make available, and to whom?

Accepted Answer

The material's immediate hazards, fire/explosion risk, and first-aid measures, kept accessible to the driver and to emergency responders at all times — it's part of the same paperwork package as the shipping description.

Question 11

What quantity of a Table 1 material triggers placarding?

Accepted Answer

Any amount. Table 1 materials — such as Division 1.1-1.3 explosives, Division 2.3 poison gas, Division 4.3 dangerous-when-wet, Division 6.1 Zone A/B inhalation hazards, and Class 7 radioactive — must be placarded regardless of weight.

Question 12

What weight threshold triggers placarding for a Table 2 material?

Accepted Answer

1,001 pounds or more of aggregate gross weight of Table 2 materials (most flammable liquids, corrosives, and oxidizers) loaded at one location — 1,000 pounds or less is exempt.

Question 13

How many placards must appear on a placarded vehicle, and where?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of four identical placards — one on each side and one on each end — so the hazard is visible from any direction.

Question 14

What weight cap limits using a single DANGEROUS placard instead of two separate Table 2 class placards?

Accepted Answer

2,205 pounds per class. If any one Table 2 hazard class reaches or exceeds that weight, its own specific placard must be used instead of the general DANGEROUS placard.

Question 15

What is the required size and orientation of a hazmat placard?

Accepted Answer

A 250-millimeter (9.84-inch) square, displayed turned upright on a point (diamond orientation).

Question 16

Does an empty bulk tank that previously carried a placardable material still need to be placarded?

Accepted Answer

Yes — bulk packaging must be placarded even if it holds only the residue of the hazardous material, because residue can still present a hazard.

Question 17

Does the 1,000-lb-or-less Table 2 exception apply to inhalation-hazard (Zone A/B) materials?

Accepted Answer

No. Inhalation hazard materials must be placarded at any amount — there is no low-quantity exception for them.

Question 18

How much clear space must surround a placard on the vehicle?

Accepted Answer

At least 3 inches from any other markings or advertising, so the placard isn't obscured or confused with unrelated signage.

Question 19

What is the difference between a hazmat label and a hazmat placard?

Accepted Answer

A label is the smaller diamond marking placed on an individual package to identify its hazard; a placard is the larger diamond displayed on the outside of the transport vehicle itself, visible to responders from a distance.

Question 20

List Hazard Classes 1 through 9 in order.

Accepted Answer

1 Explosives, 2 Gases, 3 Flammable liquids, 4 Flammable solids, 5 Oxidizers/organic peroxides, 6 Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances, 7 Radioactive materials, 8 Corrosives, 9 Miscellaneous hazardous materials.

Question 21

What does a packing group of I, II, or III indicate?

Accepted Answer

The degree of danger within a hazard class: Packing Group I is greatest danger, II is medium danger, III is minor danger. It refines the hazard class — it doesn't replace it.

Question 22

What does ORM-D mean, and does it carry a hazard class number?

Accepted Answer

Other Regulated Material-Domestic — a consumer commodity with a limited transport hazard. It carries no hazard class number and is authorized for domestic shipment only.

Question 23

Does a 'combustible liquid' get a numbered DOT hazard class like flammable liquids do?

Accepted Answer

No. Combustible liquids have a higher flash point than flammable liquids and are regulated, but they are not assigned a hazard class number.

Question 24

How do Divisions 1.1-1.3 explosives differ from Divisions 1.4-1.6?

Accepted Answer

1.1-1.3 present a mass explosion hazard or major projection/fire hazard; 1.4-1.6 present only a minor explosion hazard or are extremely insensitive, with much lower risk.

Question 25

What separates Divisions 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 within Class 2 gases?

Accepted Answer

2.1 is flammable gas, 2.2 is non-flammable/non-poisonous compressed gas, and 2.3 is poison (toxic) gas — the most dangerous of the three divisions.

Question 26

What separates Divisions 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 within Class 4 flammable solids?

Accepted Answer

4.1 is a flammable solid, 4.2 is spontaneously combustible, and 4.3 is dangerous when wet — it reacts with water to release flammable gas.

Question 27

What separates Division 5.1 from Division 5.2?

Accepted Answer

5.1 is an oxidizer that feeds the combustion of other materials (like ammonium nitrate); 5.2 is an organic peroxide, which is both an oxidizer and often unstable or flammable itself.

Question 28

Near which hazard classes is smoking prohibited during loading or unloading?

Accepted Answer

Classes 1 (explosives), 2.1 (flammable gas), 3 (flammable liquid), 4 (flammable solid), and 5 (oxidizer/organic peroxide) — an open flame near any of these can ignite the material.

Question 29

Which hazard classes ban the use of a cargo heater during loading or transport?

Accepted Answer

Classes 1 (explosives), 2.1 (flammable gas), and 3 (flammable liquid) — a heat source near these materials is an ignition risk.

Question 30

Which hazard classes must not be loaded into a closed cargo space with the engine running nearby?

Accepted Answer

Classes 1 (explosives), 4 (flammable solids), and 5 (oxidizers) — trapped heat or fumes in an enclosed space raise fire and explosion risk.

Question 31

What is the transport index limit for Class 7 radioactive packages carried on one vehicle?

Accepted Answer

The sum of the transport indices of all Class 7 packages on that vehicle may not exceed 50.

Question 32

Where must nitric acid be positioned relative to other cargo in the same load?

Accepted Answer

Never above any other product — a leak must never be able to drip down onto cargo loaded beneath it.

Question 33

What must a driver do upon discovering a leaking hazmat package before or during loading?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to load it, or stop transporting it immediately — a known leaking package must never be moved; doing so is illegal.

Question 34

What is the purpose of the hazardous materials segregation table?

Accepted Answer

It tells drivers and loaders which hazard classes must be kept apart or never loaded together, because combining incompatible classes can cause fire, explosion, or a dangerous chemical reaction.

Question 35

Can poisons and foodstuffs share the same vehicle compartment?

Accepted Answer

No — poisonous materials and foodstuffs must never be loaded, transported, or stored together, due to contamination risk.

Question 36

How close must an attendant stay to a cargo tank during loading or unloading?

Accepted Answer

Within 25 feet of the tank, with an unobstructed view, and the attendant must know the emergency shutoff procedure and remain alert throughout the transfer.

Question 37

How is the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) organized so a responder can find a material quickly?

Accepted Answer

By UN/NA identification number and by proper shipping name, each pointing to a numbered guide page listing the hazards and recommended response actions.

Question 38

What minimum information must emergency response information for a hazmat shipment include?

Accepted Answer

The material's immediate hazards, its fire or explosion risk, and immediate first-aid measures.

Question 39

What is the phone number for the National Response Center, and when must it be called?

Accepted Answer

(800) 424-8802 — a mandatory federal reporting line called when a hazmat incident causes death, serious injury, or significant property damage.

Question 40

What is the phone number for CHEMTREC, and how does it differ from the National Response Center?

Accepted Answer

(800) 424-9300 — a 24-hour hotline for technical chemical information during an emergency. Unlike the NRC, it is not a mandatory incident-reporting line.

Question 41

What three outcomes make a hazmat incident report to the National Response Center mandatory?

Accepted Answer

A death, a serious injury requiring hospitalization, or property/environmental damage estimated at $50,000 or more.

Question 42

After a reportable hazmat incident, what is the deadline for the detailed written follow-up report?

Accepted Answer

Within 30 days of the incident — submitted in addition to the immediate phone notification to the National Response Center.

Question 43

From what direction should a driver approach a suspected hazmat spill or leak?

Accepted Answer

Uphill and upwind whenever possible, staying a safe distance away and never walking into or through the spilled material.

Question 44

Should a driver ever try to identify a leaking hazardous material by smell?

Accepted Answer

No — never. Some hazardous vapors are dangerous or fatal at concentrations too faint to notice by smell, so identification must come from the shipping papers or placards, not sniffing.

Question 45

What federal screening must be completed before Texas DPS can issue a first-time hazardous materials endorsement (HME)?

Accepted Answer

A TSA security threat assessment, mandated by the USA PATRIOT Act, which includes fingerprinting through a TSA-approved vendor after the DPS application is processed.

Question 46

Under 49 CFR 397.7, does the 300-foot no-parking rule (near bridges, tunnels, buildings, crowds, or open fires) apply to every placarded hazmat load?

Accepted Answer

No — it applies specifically to vehicles carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives. It is not a general rule for all hazard classes.

Question 47

How close to the traveled portion of a road may a vehicle carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives park?

Accepted Answer

Never within 5 feet of the traveled roadway — an additional restriction on top of the 300-foot rule for bridges, tunnels, buildings, crowds, and open fires.

Question 48

What is a 'safe haven,' and which loads use it?

Accepted Answer

An approved location where a vehicle carrying Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 explosives may be left unattended — these loads otherwise require constant attendance, so a safe haven is the authorized exception.

Question 49

How far may an attendant be from a parked placarded vehicle and still be considered to be 'attending' it?

Accepted Answer

Within 100 feet, with an unobstructed view of the vehicle, awake and alert, and able to move the vehicle if necessary.

Question 50

How far before a railroad crossing must a driver hauling hazardous materials stop, look, and listen?

Accepted Answer

Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, opening a window if needed to listen, before proceeding across.

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