California CDL Tanker Practice Test

The California CDL Tanker 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
Tanker 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 Tanker practice test

1. What braking methods does the manual give for a quick stop to avoid a crash?
1. A. Controlled or stab braking
2. B. Parking brake only
3. C. Engine off
4. D. Horn and release
Show answer
Answer: A. Controlled or stab braking
The manual says to use controlled or stab braking for a quick stop.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.2 Controlling Surge.
2. How do you often load heavy liquids?
1. A. Totally full
2. B. With no outage
3. C. Only on the left side
4. D. Only partly full
Show answer
Answer: D. Only partly full
You may often only partially fill tanks with heavy liquids.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.7 How Much to Load.
3. A curve sign shows 45 mph. You drive a tanker. What do tests show?
1. A. A tanker is safe at 10 mph over
2. B. A tanker is safe at the posted speed
3. C. A tanker can turn over at the posted curve speed
4. D. Only empty tankers roll
Show answer
Answer: C. A tanker can turn over at the posted curve speed
Tests have shown that tankers can turn over at the speed limits posted for curves.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity.
4. How do wet roads change your normal stopping distance?
1. A. They add a few feet
2. B. They cut it in half
3. C. They do not change it
4. D. They double it
Show answer
Answer: D. They double it
Wet roads double the normal stopping distance.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.4 Stopping Distance.
5. What is the most important thing to check for on any tank vehicle?
1. A. Leaks
2. B. Tire tread depth
3. C. Mirror shape
4. D. Horn sound
Show answer
Answer: A. Leaks
The manual says leaks are the most important item to check on all tank vehicles.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
6. You find a small leak in your tank. The trip is short. What should you do?
1. A. Drive carefully to the stop
2. B. Do not carry the load in the leaking tank
3. C. Drive with the load at low speed
4. D. Add more liquid to cover the leak
Show answer
Answer: B. Do not carry the load in the leaking tank
The manual says not to carry liquids or gases in a leaking tank.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
7. Your tank has baffles. Which kind of surge can still happen?
1. A. Side-to-side surge
2. B. No surge at all
3. C. Only upward surge
4. D. Only forward surge
Show answer
Answer: A. Side-to-side surge
Side-to-side surge can still occur in a baffled tank, and it can cause a roll over.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks.
8. Where should you look for signs of leaking?
1. A. Only inside the cab
2. B. Only on top of the tank
3. C. Under and around the vehicle
4. D. Only at the trailer lights
Show answer
Answer: C. Under and around the vehicle
The manual says to check under and around the vehicle for signs of leaking.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
9. When you check pipes, connections, and hoses for leaks, where should you look especially?
1. A. Around joints
2. B. At the middle of the hose only
3. C. At the tank label
4. D. On the cab roof
Show answer
Answer: A. Around joints
The manual says to check especially around joints.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
10. What may happen if the drive or trailer wheels of a tank trailer skid?
1. A. The vehicle may jackknife
2. B. The tank may shrink
3. C. The load gets lighter
4. D. The wheels get more traction
Show answer
Answer: A. The vehicle may jackknife
If the drive wheels or trailer wheels skid, the vehicle may jackknife.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.5 Skids.
11. Your tank vehicle has special purpose equipment. What must you do?
1. A. Turn it off and seal it
2. B. Leave it unchecked
3. C. Remove it before the trip
4. D. Make sure it works
Show answer
Answer: D. Make sure it works
The manual says that if your vehicle has such equipment, make sure it works.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.2 Check Special Purpose Equipment.
12. What problem can a full tank of dense liquid cause?
1. A. It may exceed legal weight limits
2. B. It may freeze
3. C. It may have too much outage
4. D. It may have too much surge
Show answer
Answer: A. It may exceed legal weight limits
A full tank of dense liquid may exceed legal weight limits.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.7 How Much to Load.
13. An officer finds your tank leaking. What will happen to you?
1. A. A warning only, then you drive on
2. B. You must drive to the next town
3. C. The load is just weighed
4. D. You will be cited and stopped from driving further
Show answer
Answer: D. You will be cited and stopped from driving further
The manual says you will be cited and prevented from driving further.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
14. What total (aggregate) rated tank capacity is part of the tank endorsement rule?
1. A. 500 gallons or more
2. B. 750 gallons or more
3. C. 1000 gallons or more
4. D. 2000 gallons or more
Show answer
Answer: C. 1000 gallons or more
The manual says an aggregate rated capacity of 1000 gallons or more.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
15. What does high center of gravity mean?
1. A. The truck sits very low
2. B. Much of the load's weight is carried high off the road
3. C. The load is light
4. D. The tank is empty
Show answer
Answer: B. Much of the load's weight is carried high off the road
The manual defines it as much of the load's weight carried high up off the road.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity.
16. Why must you keep tank vents clear?
1. A. So the tank looks clean
2. B. So they work correctly
3. C. So the load weighs less
4. D. So the tires stay cool
Show answer
Answer: B. So they work correctly
The manual says to keep the vents clear so they work correctly.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
17. Which tank vehicle may take longer to stop?
1. A. A full one
2. B. A half full one
3. C. An empty one
4. D. They all stop in the same distance
Show answer
Answer: C. An empty one
Empty tank vehicles may take longer to stop than full ones.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.4 Stopping Distance.
18. What is inside an un-baffled tank to slow the liquid?
1. A. Nothing
2. B. One baffle
3. C. Two bulkheads
4. D. A rubber lining
Show answer
Answer: A. Nothing
Un-baffled tanks have nothing inside to slow down the flow of the liquid.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.5 Un-baffled Tanks.
19. When does a Class C vehicle need the tank endorsement?
1. A. When it hauls any water
2. B. When it hauls dry hazmat
3. C. Never, Class C is exempt
4. D. When it hauls liquid or gas hazmat in tanks of the described size
Show answer
Answer: D. When it hauls liquid or gas hazmat in tanks of the described size
Class C vehicles need it when carrying hazmat in liquid or gas form in the rated tanks described.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
20. What does a tank endorsement let a driver haul?
1. A. Only hazardous materials
2. B. Certain liquids or gases in tanks
3. C. Only dry bulk goods
4. D. Only passengers
Show answer
Answer: B. Certain liquids or gases in tanks
The manual says a tank endorsement is required for certain vehicles that transport liquids or gases.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).

California CDL Tanker questions

What score do you need to pass the California CDL Tanker 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 Tanker test the same as other states?

The Tanker 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: 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction); 8.1.1 Leaks; 8.1.2 Check Special Purpose Equipment; 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity; 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks; 8.2.5 Un-baffled Tanks; 8.2.7 How Much to Load; 8.3.2 Controlling Surge; 8.3.4 Stopping Distance; 8.3.5 Skids

Tanker practice test in nearby states