North Dakota Cargo and Tank Vehicles Practice Questions

Cargo and Tank Vehicles questions

1. 1. Who is responsible for making sure cargo is properly secured?

   1. A. The driver
   2. B. The shipper only
   3. C. The receiving customer

   Answer: A — The driver

   The driver is responsible for inspecting cargo and confirming it is secured before and during the trip.

2. 2. How many tie-downs are needed at minimum for cargo?

   1. A. One per 20 feet, never fewer than one
   2. B. Two, however long the cargo is
   3. C. One per 10 feet, never fewer than two

   Answer: C — One per 10 feet, never fewer than two

   The rule is one tie-down per 10 feet of cargo length with a minimum of two.

3. 3. What does gross combination weight rating mean?

   1. A. The maximum weight of the trailer alone
   2. B. The unit, trailers, and cargo
   3. C. The weight of the empty tractor

   Answer: B — The unit, trailers, and cargo

   GCWR is the manufacturer's maximum for the whole combination including cargo.

4. 4. What happens when cargo weight is placed too far to the rear?

   1. A. The front axle loses grip
   2. B. Braking improves on all axles
   3. C. The trailer becomes easier to reverse

   Answer: A — The front axle loses grip

   Removing weight from the steering axle makes the front end light and the vehicle hard to control.

5. 5. Why is a high centre of gravity dangerous?

   1. A. Fuel consumption increases sharply
   2. B. The brakes overheat
   3. C. It makes a rollover far likelier

   Answer: C — It makes a rollover far likelier

   Rollover threshold falls as the centre of gravity rises, so an equal-weight load carried high is far riskier.

6. 6. What should a driver do when unsure of an overhead clearance?

   1. A. Assume posted heights include a safety margin
   2. B. Slow down and take another route instead
   3. C. Proceed slowly and watch the mirrors

   Answer: B — Slow down and take another route instead

   Posted clearances may be wrong after repaving, and a strike is catastrophic.

7. 7. What is liquid surge in a tank vehicle?

   1. A. Liquid moving back and forth in the tank
   2. B. Fuel foaming in the tank
   3. C. Overflow from an overfilled tank

   Answer: A — Liquid moving back and forth in the tank

   A partially filled tank lets liquid move, which can shove the vehicle forward at a stop or into a skid.

8. 8. Why are tank vehicles filled with outage rather than completely full?

   1. A. A completely full tank would be too heavy
   2. B. The pump cannot fill them fully
   3. C. Liquid expands as it warms and needs room

   Answer: C — Liquid expands as it warms and needs room

   Outage leaves expansion room, which is why some tanks cannot be filled solid.

9. 9. What do baffles inside a tank do?

   1. A. Increase the tank's capacity
   2. B. Reduce forward and backward surge
   3. C. Eliminate all liquid movement

   Answer: B — Reduce forward and backward surge

   Baffles have holes that slow front-to-back movement; side-to-side surge remains.

10. 10. What is a header board on a flatbed for?

    1. A. To stop cargo shifting forward
    2. B. To increase load capacity
    3. C. To mount the trailer lights

    Answer: A — To stop cargo shifting forward

    A headache rack stops a load moving forward into the cab under hard braking.

11. 11. What should be done with cargo covers on a flatbed?

    1. A. Leave them loose for ventilation
    2. B. Remove them entirely
    3. C. Secure them so they cannot come loose

    Answer: C — Secure them so they cannot come loose

    A loose tarp becomes a hazard to following traffic and can obstruct the driver's mirrors.

12. 12. How should heavy cargo be positioned within a trailer?

    1. A. Entirely at the front
    2. B. So that no single axle is overloaded
    3. C. Entirely over the rear axle

    Answer: B — So that no single axle is overloaded

    Concentrated weight overloads one axle and unbalances the vehicle's handling and braking.

13. 13. What is gross vehicle weight rating?

    1. A. The rated weight of one vehicle and load
    2. B. The weight of the cargo alone
    3. C. The weight of the empty vehicle

    Answer: A — The rated weight of one vehicle and load

    GVWR is the manufacturer's maximum for the vehicle plus everything it carries.

14. 14. What is axle weight?

    1. A. The weight of the axle assembly itself
    2. B. The maximum the axle can carry
    3. C. The weight carried by one axle

    Answer: C — The weight carried by one axle

    Axle weight is what bridge and road limits regulate, independent of total vehicle weight.

15. 15. How does a load placed too far forward affect the vehicle?

    1. A. It has no effect if within the total weight limit
    2. B. It overloads the front axle
    3. C. It improves steering

    Answer: B — It overloads the front axle

    Total weight can be legal while an individual axle is overloaded.

16. 16. Why does a driver need to know bridge weight formulas?

    1. A. Weight must be spread across enough axles
    2. B. They set the maximum speed on bridges
    3. C. They apply only to hazardous loads

    Answer: A — Weight must be spread across enough axles

    Bridge limits depend on how weight is distributed, not just the total.

17. 17. How should a driver brake in a tank vehicle carrying liquid?

    1. A. Hard and late
    2. B. With the trailer hand valve only
    3. C. Smoothly and early, expecting a push

    Answer: C — Smoothly and early, expecting a push

    The surge arrives after the vehicle slows and can push it forward into an intersection.

18. 18. What is a smooth-bore tank?

    1. A. A tank for dry bulk only
    2. B. A tank with no baffles inside
    3. C. A tank with extra baffles

    Answer: B — A tank with no baffles inside

    Smooth-bore tanks, common for food products, produce the strongest surge and demand the gentlest driving.

19. 19. Why can a posted clearance height be unreliable?

    1. A. Repaving can raise the road surface
    2. B. Signs are only advisory
    3. C. It applies only to loaded vehicles

    Answer: A — Repaving can raise the road surface

    A resurfaced road under an old sign leaves less room than the sign claims.

20. 20. How does load weight affect a vehicle's height?

    1. A. Weight never affects height
    2. B. A loaded vehicle is always taller
    3. C. An empty vehicle sits higher

    Answer: C — An empty vehicle sits higher

    Suspension compression means an empty trailer may not fit where a loaded one did.