Massachusetts CDL Tanker Practice Test

The Massachusetts CDL Tanker 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
Tanker pass mark	80%	Official page
Tanker test questions	20	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 Tanker practice test

1. What does a high center of gravity do to a vehicle?
1. A. Makes it use less fuel
2. B. Makes it brake faster
3. C. Makes it harder to tip
4. D. Makes it top-heavy and easy to roll over
Show answer
Answer: D. Makes it top-heavy and easy to roll over
The manual says it makes the vehicle top-heavy and easy to roll over.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity.
2. You stop a partly filled tanker on ice at an intersection. What danger does the manual warn of?
1. A. The tank will freeze solid
2. B. The wave can shove the truck into the intersection
3. C. The load will turn to gas
4. D. The brakes will lock forever
Show answer
Answer: B. The wave can shove the truck into the intersection
On a slippery surface, the wave can shove a stopped truck out into an intersection.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.2 Danger of Surge.
3. Which vehicle needs the tank endorsement under the manual's rule?
1. A. A Class B truck with a 1500 gallon tank (one tank) hauling liquid
2. B. A pickup with a 20 gallon fuel can
3. C. A Class A truck with no tank
4. D. A bus with a 50 gallon water jug
Show answer
Answer: A. A Class B truck with a 1500 gallon tank (one tank) hauling liquid
A Class A or B vehicle hauling liquid in a tank over 119 gallons with 1000 gallons or more total needs the endorsement.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
4. What is inside a baffled liquid tank?
1. A. Nothing, the tank is smooth
2. B. Solid walls with no holes
3. C. Bulkheads with holes in them
4. D. A second smaller tank
Show answer
Answer: C. Bulkheads with holes in them
Baffled tanks have bulkheads with holes that let the liquid flow through.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks.
5. What must you do when your vehicle starts to skid?
1. A. Wait for it to stop
2. B. Speed up
3. C. Turn off the lights
4. D. Restore traction to the wheels
Show answer
Answer: D. Restore traction to the wheels
You must take action to restore traction to the wheels.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.5 Skids.
6. You are coming to a stop in a loaded tank vehicle. What should you NOT do?
1. A. Brake early
2. B. Leave more space ahead
3. C. Keep steady pressure
4. D. Release the brakes too soon
Show answer
Answer: D. Release the brakes too soon
The manual says not to release the brakes too soon when coming to a stop.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.2 Controlling Surge.
7. 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.
8. Which vehicles are especially easy to roll over?
1. A. Liquid tankers
2. B. Empty flatbeds
3. C. Short vans
4. D. Light cars
Show answer
Answer: A. Liquid tankers
The manual says liquid tankers are especially easy to roll over.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity.
9. 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.
10. What must you know when you haul liquids in bulk?
1. A. The age of the tank
2. B. The color of the liquid
3. C. The outage requirement
4. D. The name of the shipper
Show answer
Answer: C. The outage requirement
The manual says you must know the outage requirement when hauling liquids in bulk.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.6 Outage.
11. Do all liquids need the same amount of outage?
1. A. Yes, always the same
2. B. Yes, if the tank is the same size
3. C. No, only milk needs outage
4. D. No, they need different amounts
Show answer
Answer: D. No, they need different amounts
Different liquids expand by different amounts, so they need different amounts of outage.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.6 Outage.
12. What should you look for on the tank's body or shell?
1. A. Fresh paint
2. B. Bird nests
3. C. Dents or leaks
4. D. Mud on the sides
Show answer
Answer: C. Dents or leaks
The manual says to check the tank's body or shell for dents or leaks.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
13. A large liquid tank is bolted onto your truck for one job only. Can the endorsement rule still apply?
1. A. No, only permanent tanks count
2. B. Yes, temporary tanks count too
3. C. No, only tanks built by the maker count
4. D. Yes, but only on weekends
Show answer
Answer: B. Yes, temporary tanks count too
The rule covers tanks attached permanently or temporarily to the vehicle or chassis.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. How full should you load a cargo tank?
1. A. Totally full
2. B. Full only on warm days
3. C. Never totally full
4. D. Full only for light liquids
Show answer
Answer: C. Never totally full
The manual says never load a cargo tank totally full.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.6 Outage.
17. 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).
18. Which of these is special purpose equipment on a tank vehicle?
1. A. Grounding and bonding cables
2. B. A tire chain bag
3. C. A cargo net
4. D. A sleeper curtain
Show answer
Answer: A. Grounding and bonding cables
Grounding and bonding cables are listed as special purpose equipment to check.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.2 Check Special Purpose Equipment.
19. What should manhole covers have, and what should they do?
1. A. Locks only, and stay loose
2. B. Paint, and stay open
3. C. Gaskets, and close correctly
4. D. Springs, and open on bumps
Show answer
Answer: C. Gaskets, and close correctly
The manual says covers must have gaskets and close correctly.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
20. What do bulkheads do in some liquid tanks?
1. A. Hold the hoses
2. B. Heat the liquid
3. C. Close the vents
4. D. Divide the tank into smaller tanks
Show answer
Answer: D. Divide the tank into smaller tanks
The manual says bulkheads divide some liquid tanks into several smaller tanks.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.3 Bulkheads.

Massachusetts CDL Tanker questions

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

Massachusetts says you need 80% to pass the Tanker test.

Is the Massachusetts 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. 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: 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction); 8.1.1 Leaks; 8.1.2 Check Special Purpose Equipment; 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity; 8.2.2 Danger of Surge; 8.2.3 Bulkheads; 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks; 8.2.6 Outage; 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