California CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test

The California CDL Hazardous Materials test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. You need at least 80% to pass. That's the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135 (California does not publish its own number).

Last updated Oct 7, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the California CDL manual on October 7, 2026

Scott Wilder on X | scottwilderhq.com

FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC. It offers free exam-style practice tests built from the official CDL manual. FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.

California CDL permit facts

What	What California says	Source
Hazardous Materials pass mark	At least 80%. This is the federal minimum (49 CFR 383.135); California does not publish its own number.	Official page
CLP fee	No separate CLP fee is listed. You pay the nonrefundable application fee ($100 for Class A or B, $59 for Class C commercial) when you apply, good for 12 months	Official page
CLP validity	Up to 180 days from issue. It can be renewed for another 180 days if the expiration is not more than one year from the first application date	Official page
CLP holding period	Hold the CLP at least 14 days before the skills test	Official page
Test languages	The DMV commercial handbook (2019 edition) says commercial knowledge tests are offered in English, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Russian and Spanish. Skills tests must be done in English and interpreters are not allowed. No English-only rule for commercial knowledge tests was found on dmv.ca.gov as of October 2026.	Official page

20 question Hazardous Materials practice test

1. Which letters show a reportable quantity on the shipping paper and package?
1. A. PG
2. B. RQ
3. C. PIH
4. D. UN
Show answer
Answer: B. RQ
The shipper displays the letters RQ for a reportable quantity.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products.
2. Your placarded flammable liquid tank breaks down. What stopped vehicle signals can you use?
1. A. Flares
2. B. Fuses
3. C. Burning torches
4. D. Reflective triangles
Show answer
Answer: D. Reflective triangles
Use reflective triangles or red electric lights.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.4 No Flares!.
3. You see that a package is leaking while you load. What should you do?
1. A. Load it last
2. B. Refuse the package
3. C. Wipe it and load it
4. D. Load it in the sleeper
Show answer
Answer: B. Refuse the package
Drivers must refuse leaking packages and shipments.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.3 The Driver.
4. When must the driver put placards on the vehicle, if they are required?
1. A. After the first rest stop
2. B. After arriving at the destination
3. C. Only after leaving the state
4. D. When loading
Show answer
Answer: D. When loading
Drivers placard the vehicle when loading, if required.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.3 The Driver.
5. May a shipper use a hazard class to describe a non-hazardous material?
1. A. No, it may not
2. B. Yes, always
3. C. Yes, if the load is small
4. D. Yes, if the driver agrees
Show answer
Answer: A. No, it may not
A non-hazardous material may not be described with a hazard class or ID number.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.5 The Item Description.
6. Which method should you NEVER use to identify a leaking material?
1. A. Check the shipping papers
2. B. Look at the labels
3. C. Check the package location
4. D. Use your sense of smell
Show answer
Answer: D. Use your sense of smell
Toxic gases can destroy your sense of smell and can injure or kill you even if they don't smell.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.3 Fires.
7. What does the shipper's signed certification say?
1. A. The shipment was prepared following the regulations
2. B. The driver checked every package
3. C. The load is under 1,001 pounds
4. D. The vehicle has the right placards
Show answer
Answer: A. The shipment was prepared following the regulations
The shipper signs to say the shipment was prepared according to the regulations.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.4 The Shipping Paper.
8. You must do an emergency transfer of Division 1.1 explosives on a public road. What do you set out?
1. A. Red warning reflectors, flags, or electric lanterns
2. B. Burning flares
3. C. Fuses
4. D. Nothing, since it is quick
Show answer
Answer: A. Red warning reflectors, flags, or electric lanterns
You must warn others on the road with red reflectors, flags, or electric lanterns.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1 Class 1 (Explosives) Materials.
9. A shipping paper for hazardous materials must include what for each hazardous material?
1. A. A photo of the package
2. B. The price of the material
3. C. A proper shipping description
4. D. The driver's signature
Show answer
Answer: C. A proper shipping description
The shipping paper must include a proper shipping description for each hazardous material.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.4 The Shipping Paper.
10. How must a driver transport a hazmat shipment?
1. A. Slowly with many stops
2. B. Only at night
3. C. Only with a second driver
4. D. Safely and without delay
Show answer
Answer: D. Safely and without delay
The driver safely transports the shipment without delay.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.3.
11. Which tool should you NOT use when loading hazardous materials?
1. A. A hand truck
2. B. A pallet
3. C. A strap
4. D. A hook
Show answer
Answer: D. A hook
The manual says not to use hooks because they might damage containers.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4 Loading and Unloading.
12. When may you move an improperly placarded vehicle?
1. A. When the trip is short
2. B. At night only
3. C. When the shipper says it is OK
4. D. During an emergency, to protect life or property
Show answer
Answer: D. During an emergency, to protect life or property
Only in an emergency, to protect life or property.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.10 Placarding.
13. Where does the signed shipper's certification appear?
1. A. On the placards
2. B. In the Emergency Response Guidebook
3. C. On the original shipping paper
4. D. On the driver's license
Show answer
Answer: C. On the original shipping paper
The signed certification appears on the original shipping paper.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.6 Shipper's Certification.
14. Which task belongs to the driver?
1. A. Decide the packing group
2. B. Keep the shipping papers and emergency response information in the proper place
3. C. Sign the shipper's certification
4. D. Print the hazard labels
Show answer
Answer: B. Keep the shipping papers and emergency response information in the proper place
The driver keeps shipping papers and emergency information in the proper place.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.3.
15. Who must find out if a hazardous materials trip needs permits or special routes?
1. A. The driver
2. B. The shipper only
3. C. The police
4. D. The receiver
Show answer
Answer: A. The driver
It is your job as driver to find out about permits or special routes.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.5 Route Restrictions.
16. Where do emergency workers look for the proper shipping name and identification number?
1. A. On the driver's logbook
2. B. On the trailer license plate
3. C. On the fuel receipt
4. D. On the shipping paper
Show answer
Answer: D. On the shipping paper
Emergency personnel look for these things on the shipping paper, so they must be correct.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.1 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).
17. Which shipping paper entry suggests a hazardous material?
1. A. One with an X or RQ in the hazardous materials column
2. B. One with a page number
3. C. One with the delivery date
4. D. One with the shipper's address
Show answer
Answer: A. One with an X or RQ in the hazardous materials column
A highlighted entry or an X or RQ in the HM column is a clue.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.8 Recognizing Hazardous Materials.
18. Division 2.3 or 6.1 materials must NOT be in what kind of containers?
1. A. New containers
2. B. Containers with interconnections
3. C. Metal containers
4. D. Containers with labels
Show answer
Answer: B. Containers with interconnections
Never transport these materials in containers with interconnections.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1.
19. At what total weight do non-bulk Table B materials need placards?
1. A. 501 pounds or more
2. B. 1,001 pounds or more
3. C. 2,205 pounds or more
4. D. Any amount
Show answer
Answer: B. 1,001 pounds or more
Table B needs placards at 1,001 pounds or more, including the package.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.11 Placard Tables.
20. One tire on your hazmat truck is leaking. How far may you drive on it?
1. A. Only to the nearest safe place to fix it
2. B. To the next planned stop
3. C. To the delivery, if it is near
Show answer
Answer: A. Only to the nearest safe place to fix it
Do not drive on a leaking or flat tire except to the nearest safe place to fix it.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.9.

California CDL Hazardous Materials questions

What score do you need to pass the California CDL Hazardous Materials test?

You need at least 80% to pass. That is the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135. California does not publish its own number.

Is the California CDL Hazardous Materials test the same as other states?

The Hazardous Materials test is built on the same federal knowledge standards in every state, so the topics match the CDL manual. California uses its own handbook: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/web/eng_pdf/comlhdbk.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in California?

CLP fee: No separate CLP fee is listed. You pay the nonrefundable application fee ($100 for Class A or B, $59 for Class C commercial) when you apply, good for 12 months.

What languages is the California CDL knowledge test offered in?

The DMV commercial handbook (2019 edition) says commercial knowledge tests are offered in English, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Russian and Spanish. Skills tests must be done in English and interpreters are not allowed. No English-only rule for commercial knowledge tests was found on dmv.ca.gov as of October 2026.

Sources

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.135
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/licensing-fees/
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/web/eng_pdf/comlhdbk.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 9.2.3; 9.2.3 The Driver; 9.3.10 Placarding; 9.3.11 Placard Tables; 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products; 9.3.4 The Shipping Paper; 9.3.5 The Item Description; 9.3.6 Shipper's Certification; 9.3.8 Recognizing Hazardous Materials; 9.4 Loading and Unloading; 9.4.1; 9.4.1 Class 1 (Explosives) Materials; 9.6.4 No Flares!; 9.6.5 Route Restrictions; 9.6.9; 9.7.1 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG); 9.7.3 Fires

Hazardous Materials practice test in nearby states