Guide · Updated Oct 23, 2026
Tanker Endorsement Test Questions: 11 Answers Explained
The tanker endorsement test is a written knowledge test for the N endorsement. It covers Section 8 of the CDL manual, Tank Vehicles, and the manual says to study Sections 2, 5, 6 and 9 as well. Below are 11 tanker endorsement test sample questions and answers, each with a one-line reason and the manual section.
These are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual. Read the question, pick your answer, then check it. For the full study plan, see the tanker endorsement test guide.
11 tanker endorsement test sample questions and answers
1. Which check does the manual call the most important on every tank vehicle?
- A. Paint condition
- B. Mirror position
- C. Leaks
- D. Window glass
Answer: C. The manual says leaks are the most important item to check for on all tank vehicles. Manual section: 8.1.1 Leaks.
2. You find your tank is leaking, but you drive anyway. What does the manual say about that?
- A. It is a crime
- B. It is fine if the leak is small
- C. It is fine if you carry a spill kit
- D. It is fine on a short trip
Answer: A. The manual says carrying liquids or gases in a leaking tank is a crime. Size and trip length do not change that. Manual section: 8.1.1 Leaks.
3. You check a manhole cover and its vent. Which is right?
- A. The cover needs no gasket
- B. The cover needs a gasket and must close correctly, and the vent must be clear
- C. The vent may stay blocked
- D. The cover may stay loose
Answer: B. The manual says covers need gaskets and must close correctly. Vents must stay clear so they work. Manual section: 8.1.1 Leaks.
4. A curve sign says 40 mph. You drive a loaded tanker. What is the safest plan?
- A. Drive exactly 40 mph
- B. Drive 5 mph over for a smooth line
- C. Brake hard in the curve
- D. Go well below 40 mph
Answer: D. The manual says tankers can turn over at the speeds posted for curves. It says to take curves well below the posted speeds. Manual section: 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity.
5. You stop a partly filled tanker on ice. What can the liquid wave do?
- A. Shove the truck into an intersection
- B. Hold the truck in place
- C. Pull the truck backward
- D. Nothing, because the truck has stopped
Answer: A. When the wave hits the end of the tank, it pushes the truck the way the wave is moving. On a slippery surface, it can shove a stopped truck out into an intersection. Manual section: 8.2.2 Danger of Surge.
6. Which tank has bulkheads with holes that let the liquid flow through?
- A. A smooth bore tank
- B. A baffled tank
- C. An empty tank
- D. A tank with closed vents
Answer: B. The manual describes baffled tanks this way. The baffles help control forward and backward surge. Manual section: 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks.
7. You haul milk in a tank with no baffles. How should you drive?
- A. Quickly, to finish the trip
- B. The same as with any tank
- C. Extremely cautious, slow and careful, especially when starting and stopping
- D. Only at night
Answer: C. A smooth bore tank has nothing inside to slow the liquid, so forward and back surge is very strong. Manual section: 8.2.5 Un-baffled Tanks.
8. It is a cool morning. A driver wants to fill the cargo tank to the top. Why is that a mistake?
- A. The liquid will freeze
- B. The liquid expands as it warms, so you must leave room
- C. The tank will shrink
- D. The vents will close
Answer: B. The manual says never to load a cargo tank totally full. The room you leave is called outage. Manual section: 8.2.6 Outage.
9. You haul a dense liquid, such as some acids. Why might you fill the tank only part way?
- A. A full tank may exceed legal weight limits
- B. Dense liquids do not move
- C. Partly full tanks never surge
- D. Dense liquids need no outage
Answer: A. The manual says a full tank of dense liquid may exceed legal weight limits. Manual section: 8.2.7 How Much to Load?
10. You are slowing for a stop in a loaded tanker. Which is the right way to brake?
- A. Pump the brakes in short taps
- B. Brake late and hard
- C. Keep a steady pressure and brake far in advance
- D. Release the brakes early
Answer: C. The manual says to keep a steady pressure on the brakes and not release too soon. Brake far in advance of a stop. Manual section: 8.3.2 Controlling Surge.
11. You finish a delivery and your tank is empty. How will it stop compared with a full one?
- A. Faster, every time
- B. In the same distance, every time
- C. It cannot skid
- D. It may take longer to stop
Answer: D. The manual says empty tank vehicles may take longer to stop than full ones. Manual section: 8.3.4 Stopping Distance.
Key facts from the tank vehicles section
| Topic | What the manual says | Manual section |
|---|---|---|
| Tank size rule | "Having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1000 gallons or more." | 8 (intro) |
| Hazmat not required | "The liquid or gas does not have to be a hazardous material." | 8 (intro) |
| Leaks | "On all tank vehicles, the most important item to check for is leaks." | 8.1.1 |
| Valves and covers | "Never drive a tank vehicle with open valves or manhole covers." | 8.1.2 |
| Curves | "Take highway curves and on ramp/off ramp curves well below the posted speeds." | 8.2.1 |
| Baffled tanks | "The baffles help to control the forward and backward liquid surge." | 8.2.4 |
| Smooth bore tanks | "Be extremely cautious (slow and careful) in driving smooth bore tanks." | 8.2.5 |
| Outage | "Never load a cargo tank totally full." | 8.2.6 |
| Braking | "Keep a steady pressure on the brakes." | 8.3.2 |
| Wet roads | "Wet roads double the normal stopping distance." | 8.3.4 |
Try 10 more tanker questions
Now test yourself. Each answer shows why it is right and why the others are wrong.
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.
How to use these questions
Cover the answer and say yours out loud. If you miss one, read the manual section listed under it. Then go to the tanker endorsement practice test and keep going until the facts feel easy.
Federal rules set the minimum passing score for each knowledge test at 80 percent (49 CFR 383.135). Your state may ask for more.
Hauling placarded loads in a tank? See the hazmat test guide and the X endorsement guide. Not sure which tests you need? Read every CDL endorsement test and what each one needs.
Practice next
Rules, fees and test details differ by state. Pick yours:
Common questions
What is on the tanker endorsement test?
The manual's tank vehicle section covers inspecting a tank vehicle, driving it, and safe driving rules. It also tells you to study Sections 2, 5, 6 and 9. Your state sets the exact test, so check your state's manual.
Do I need the tanker endorsement if the liquid is not hazardous?
The manual says the liquid or gas does not have to be a hazardous material. For a Class A or B vehicle, the rule depends on tank size. Each tank must be more than 119 gallons, and the tanks together must be 1,000 gallons or more. For a Class C vehicle, the manual requires it only when you haul hazardous materials in tanks that size.
What score do I need to pass the tanker test?
Federal rules set the minimum passing score for each knowledge test at 80 percent. Your state may ask for more, so check your state's CDL manual.
Sources
- Virginia CDL Manual (AAMVA model manual, 2026 edition), Section 8 Tank Vehicles
- 49 CFR 383.5 Definitions (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests (eCFR)
Rules and numbers can differ by state. See how we source facts.