Tennessee Hazardous Materials Practice Questions

Hazardous Materials questions

1. 1. What is the purpose of hazardous materials placards?

   1. A. To warn of the hazard class
   2. B. To identify the carrier company
   3. C. To show the weight of the load

   Answer: A — To warn of the hazard class

   Placards communicate the hazard class to emergency responders and other road users.

2. 2. Who is responsible for placarding the vehicle?

   1. A. The shipper alone
   2. B. The receiving facility
   3. C. The driver and the carrier

   Answer: C — The driver and the carrier

   The shipper identifies the material; the driver and carrier are responsible for the placards being correct and displayed.

3. 3. How many placards must a placarded vehicle display?

   1. A. One, placed on the driver's side only
   2. B. Four, one on each side and one on each end
   3. C. Two, one at the front and one at the rear

   Answer: B — Four, one on each side and one on each end

   Placards go on all four sides so the hazard is visible from any approach.

4. 4. Where must hazardous materials shipping papers be kept while driving?

   1. A. Within reach and clearly visible
   2. B. Locked in the glove compartment
   3. C. In the trailer with the cargo

   Answer: A — Within reach and clearly visible

   Responders must be able to find the papers quickly, including if the driver is incapacitated.

5. 5. What must a hazardous materials shipping paper describe?

   1. A. Only the destination address
   2. B. Only the weight of the load
   3. C. Name, hazard class, number, quantity

   Answer: C — Name, hazard class, number, quantity

   These four elements identify the material precisely for handling and emergency response.

6. 6. What should a driver do if a hazardous material leaks from the vehicle?

   1. A. Wash the spill from the road surface
   2. B. Stop, secure the area, notify authorities
   3. C. Continue to the nearest depot to report

   Answer: B — Stop, secure the area, notify authorities

   Never move a leaking hazardous load to find a phone; secure the scene where you are.

7. 7. How close to an open fire may a placarded vehicle be parked?

   1. A. No closer than 300 feet
   2. B. No closer than 50 feet
   3. C. There is no restriction

   Answer: A — No closer than 300 feet

   A placarded vehicle must be kept at least 300 feet from any open fire.

8. 8. When must a vehicle be placarded?

   1. A. Whenever any cargo at all is being carried
   2. B. Only when crossing a state boundary
   3. C. When the load reaches the specified quantity

   Answer: C — When the load reaches the specified quantity

   Placarding is triggered by material class and quantity thresholds set in the regulations.

9. 9. What does the number in the centre of a placard indicate?

   1. A. The carrier's identification
   2. B. The hazard class of the material
   3. C. The weight of the load

   Answer: B — The hazard class of the material

   The class number lets responders identify the hazard immediately from a distance.

10. 10. May a placarded vehicle be left unattended?

    1. A. Not unless the attendance rules are met
    2. B. Yes, in any signed and lit lorry park
    3. C. Yes, if all the doors are locked

    Answer: A — Not unless the attendance rules are met

    Attendance requirements exist precisely because an unattended hazardous load is a public risk.

11. 11. What must a driver do before transporting hazardous materials?

    1. A. Only notify the carrier
    2. B. Only carry a fire extinguisher
    3. C. Hold the correct endorsement

    Answer: C — Hold the correct endorsement

    The hazmat endorsement exists because the handling knowledge is specific and legally required.

12. 12. Where should a driver never smoke around a hazardous load?

    1. A. Only while the engine runs
    2. B. Anywhere near flammable cargo
    3. C. Only inside the cab itself

    Answer: B — Anywhere near flammable cargo

    Ignition sources near flammable materials are the principal risk during handling.

13. 13. What must a driver do with shipping papers when leaving the vehicle?

    1. A. Leave them where responders can find them
    2. B. Take them with you wherever you go
    3. C. Lock them in the trailer with the load

    Answer: A — Leave them where responders can find them

    Responders need to identify the load whether or not the driver is available.

14. 14. How must hazardous materials entries appear on a shipping paper?

    1. A. Written out on a separate sheet
    2. B. Noted only on the placard itself
    3. C. Clearly identified or listed first

    Answer: C — Clearly identified or listed first

    The entry must stand out so a responder can find it under pressure.