Massachusetts CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test

The Massachusetts CDL Hazardous Materials test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) says you need 80% to pass (source).

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 Massachusetts 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.

Massachusetts CDL permit facts

What	What Massachusetts says	Source
Hazardous Materials pass mark	80%	Official page
Hazardous Materials test questions	30	Official page
CLP fee	$30 permit application fee	Official page
CLP validity	180 days from the date of issue	Official page
Test languages	CLP general knowledge and all endorsement exams are offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The road test must be given in English, and per federal regulation a foreign language interpreter is not permitted. The skills test sheet says a person is not eligible to operate a CMV unless they can read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs, answer official questions and make entries on reports (49 CFR 391.11).	Official page

20 question Hazardous Materials practice test

1. Under the hazmat rules, who must package the materials safely?
1. A. The driver
2. B. The shipper
3. C. The police
4. D. The receiver
Show answer
Answer: B. The shipper
The rules tell shippers how to package materials safely.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.1.1 Contain the Material.
2. How far must a placard be from other markings?
1. A. At least one inch
2. B. At least three inches
3. C. At least six inches
4. D. At least twelve inches
Show answer
Answer: B. At least three inches
A placard must be at least three inches from other markings.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.10 Placarding.
3. A package has a transport index of 10.1 to 20.0. What is the minimum distance to undeveloped film for over 12 hours?
1. A. 12 feet
2. B. 16 feet
3. C. 22 feet
4. D. 29 feet
Show answer
Answer: C. 22 feet
For 10.1 to 20.0, the over 12 hours column is 22 ft.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.5 Required Notification (Table 9.7A).
4. 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.
5. What shape are hazard warning labels on hazmat packages?
1. A. Diamond
2. B. Round
3. C. Rectangle
4. D. Triangle
Show answer
Answer: A. Diamond
The manual says labels are diamond-shaped.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.2 Package Labels.
6. Who do the hazmat regulations aim to protect?
1. A. Only the driver
2. B. Only the cargo owner
3. C. Only the road surface
4. D. You, people around you, and the environment
Show answer
Answer: D. You, people around you, and the environment
The regulations protect you, those around you, and the environment.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.1.1 Contain the Material.
7. What do the labels on a hazmat package always show?
1. A. The weight of the package
2. B. The shipper's phone number
3. C. The date it was packed
4. D. The hazard class of the product
Show answer
Answer: D. The hazard class of the product
Labels always reflect the hazard class of the product.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.7 Package Markings and Labels.
8. Your cargo tank for hazardous materials is empty. Must you stop at a railroad crossing?
1. A. Yes, loaded or empty
2. B. No, only when it is loaded
3. C. No, only at night
Show answer
Answer: A. Yes, loaded or empty
You must stop if your vehicle has cargo tanks used for hazardous materials, loaded or empty.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.12.
9. Why do poison cargo spills need extra fire care?
1. A. Poison cannot burn
2. B. Many poisons are also flammable
3. C. Poison spills always explode
4. D. Poison is lighter than air
Show answer
Answer: B. Many poisons are also flammable
Many products classed as poison are also flammable.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards.
10. When must the correct placards be attached to the vehicle?
1. A. At the first stop
2. B. When you reach the receiver
3. C. Before you drive it
4. D. Only if police stop you
Show answer
Answer: C. Before you drive it
Attach the placards before you drive the vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.10 Placarding.
11. A police officer stops your hazmat truck. What may the officer check?
1. A. Your shipping papers, placards, and endorsement
2. B. Only your fuel receipts
3. C. Only your tire pressure
4. D. Only your trip log
Show answer
Answer: A. Your shipping papers, placards, and endorsement
Officers may check your shipping papers, placards, endorsement, and knowledge of hazmat.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.1.3 Assure Safe Drivers and Equipment.
12. A box of hazardous materials is leaking in your trailer. You have no repair training. What should you do?
1. A. Put it in a new box
2. B. Tape the leak
3. C. Never try to repack it
4. D. Move it to the cab
Show answer
Answer: C. Never try to repack it
Never try to repack leaking containers unless you have the training and equipment.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.3 Fires.
13. How soon must carriers make a detailed written report after an incident?
1. A. Within 24 hours
2. B. Within 7 days
3. C. Within 30 days
4. D. Within 90 days
Show answer
Answer: C. Within 30 days
Carriers must make detailed written reports within 30 days of an incident.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.5 Required Notification.
14. When must you examine each tire on a placarded motor vehicle?
1. A. Only at the start of the day
2. B. Once a week
3. C. Only when a tire looks low
4. D. At the start of each trip and each time it is parked
Show answer
Answer: D. At the start of each trip and each time it is parked
You must examine each tire at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.9.
15. A diamond label will not fit on a package. What may the shipper do?
1. A. Leave off the label
2. B. Tell the driver by radio only
3. C. Put the label on a tag securely attached to the package
4. D. Put the label on the truck door
Show answer
Answer: C. Put the label on a tag securely attached to the package
Shippers may use a tag securely attached to the package.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.2 Package Labels.
16. Labels, shipping papers, and placards tell which people about the hazard?
1. A. Only the police
2. B. The shipper, the carrier, and the driver
3. C. Only the receiver
4. D. Only the driver
Show answer
Answer: B. The shipper, the carrier, and the driver
These steps communicate the hazard to the shipper, the carrier, and the driver.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.1.2.
17. Compressed gas is involved in an accident. Who must you notify?
1. A. The shipper
2. B. The consignee only
3. C. The last carrier
4. D. Your insurance agent
Show answer
Answer: A. The shipper
You must notify the shipper if compressed gas is involved in any accident.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards.
18. Before transport, what does the carrier check about the shipment?
1. A. That the receiver is open
2. B. That the truck has a full fuel tank
3. C. That the driver has a trip plan
4. D. That the shipper described, marked, and labeled it correctly
Show answer
Answer: D. That the shipper described, marked, and labeled it correctly
The carrier checks that the shipper prepared the shipment correctly.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.2 The Carrier.
19. How must you handle explosive packages?
1. A. Never drop, throw, or roll them
2. B. Roll them to the back
3. C. Throw them gently
4. D. Drop them on a mat
Show answer
Answer: A. Never drop, throw, or roll them
Never drop, throw, or roll packages of explosives.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1.
20. You arrive to pick up a load. Which is a clue the shipper handles hazmat?
1. A. A clean loading dock
2. B. Many parked trucks
3. C. Tanks with diamond labels or placards on the premises
4. D. A large office building
Show answer
Answer: C. Tanks with diamond labels or placards on the premises
Tanks with diamond labels or placards on the premises are a clue.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.8 Recognizing Hazardous Materials.

Massachusetts CDL Hazardous Materials questions

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

Massachusetts says you need 80% to pass the Hazardous Materials test.

Is the Massachusetts 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. Massachusetts uses its own handbook: https://www.mass.gov/doc/cdl-manual-march-2025-version/download

How much does a CDL permit cost in Massachusetts?

CLP fee: $30 permit application fee.

What languages is the Massachusetts CDL knowledge test offered in?

CLP general knowledge and all endorsement exams are offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The road test must be given in English, and per federal regulation a foreign language interpreter is not permitted. The skills test sheet says a person is not eligible to operate a CMV unless they can read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs, answer official questions and make entries on reports (49 CFR 391.11).

Sources

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-commercial-learners-permit-clp
https://www.mass.gov/doc/rmv-schedule-of-fees/download
https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles-now-offering-commercial-learners-permit-exams-in-spanish-and-portuguese
https://www.mass.gov/doc/cdl-manual-march-2025-version/download
Manual sections used in this test: 9.1.1 Contain the Material; 9.1.2; 9.1.3 Assure Safe Drivers and Equipment; 9.2.2 The Carrier; 9.2.3; 9.3.10 Placarding; 9.3.2 Package Labels; 9.3.7 Package Markings and Labels; 9.3.8 Recognizing Hazardous Materials; 9.4.1; 9.6.12; 9.6.9; 9.7.3 Fires; 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards; 9.7.5 Required Notification; 9.7.5 Required Notification (Table 9.7A)

Hazardous Materials practice test in nearby states