Missouri CDL Tanker Practice Test

The Missouri CDL Tanker test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. Missouri Department of Revenue (licenses) and Missouri State Highway Patrol (testing) 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 Missouri 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.

Missouri CDL permit facts

What	What Missouri says	Source
Tanker pass mark	80%	Official page
Tanker test questions	20	Official page
CLP fee	$44, which is a $25 written test fee, a $10 permit fee and a $9 office fee. Pay by card, check or cash	Official page
Duplicate CLP fee	$14	Official page
CLP validity	360 days. It cannot be renewed. When it ends you must pass all the knowledge tests again for a new CLP	Official page
CLP holding period	Hold the CLP at least 14 days before the CDL skills test. The test paper alone is not a permit	Official page
Knowledge test retest rule	You may retake a failed test right away, but the examiner can make you come back on a later day	Official page
Test languages	Commercial knowledge tests are English only, and no translators are allowed (RSMo 302.720).	Official page

20 question Tanker practice test

1. After you slow down before a curve, what should you do in the curve?
1. A. Brake hard
2. B. Accelerate slightly
3. C. Shift to neutral
4. D. Stop
Show answer
Answer: B. Accelerate slightly
The manual says to accelerate slightly through the curve.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.3 Curves.
2. How strong is forward-and-back surge in an un-baffled tank?
1. A. Only strong when empty
2. B. Very weak
3. C. Not possible
4. D. Very strong
Show answer
Answer: D. Very strong
With nothing to slow the liquid, forward-and-back surge is very strong.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.5 Un-baffled Tanks.
3. Why must you leave room at the top of a liquid tank?
1. A. Liquids get lighter as they move
2. B. Liquids expand as they warm
3. C. Liquids sink as they cool
4. D. Liquids evaporate at once
Show answer
Answer: B. Liquids expand as they warm
Liquids expand as they warm, so you must leave room for the expanding liquid.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.6 Outage.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The liquid wave hits the end of the tank. What does it tend to do to the truck?
1. A. Hold it in place
2. B. Pull it the other way
3. C. Push it the way the wave is moving
4. D. Lift the front wheels
Show answer
Answer: C. Push it the way the wave is moving
The manual says the wave tends to push the truck in the direction the wave is moving.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.2 Danger of Surge.
8. What may happen if you steer quickly while braking?
1. A. The tank may empty
2. B. Nothing, it is safe
3. C. The brakes may lock forever
4. D. The vehicle may roll over
Show answer
Answer: D. The vehicle may roll over
The manual says that steering quickly while braking may cause the vehicle to roll over.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.2 Controlling Surge.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. When must you inspect a tanker?
1. A. Only after a spill
2. B. Only once a month
3. C. Before loading, unloading, or driving
4. D. Only when the load is hazmat
Show answer
Answer: C. Before loading, unloading, or driving
The manual says to inspect before loading, unloading, or driving a tanker.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. What do baffles help control in a liquid tank?
1. A. Side-to-side tire wear
2. B. Forward and backward surge
3. C. Liquid temperature
4. D. The weight of the liquid
Show answer
Answer: B. Forward and backward surge
Baffles help control the forward and backward liquid surge.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks.
16. 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.
17. Why do sanitation rules forbid baffles in food tanks?
1. A. Baffles make the tank too heavy
2. B. Baffles make the inside of the tank hard to clean
3. C. Baffles cost too much
4. D. Baffles make milk expand
Show answer
Answer: B. Baffles make the inside of the tank hard to clean
Sanitation rules forbid baffles because the inside of the tank is difficult to clean.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.5 Un-baffled Tanks.
18. Why do you inspect a tanker before loading, unloading, or driving?
1. A. To save fuel
2. B. To make sure it is safe to carry the load and safe to drive
3. C. To shorten the trip
4. D. To avoid weigh stations
Show answer
Answer: B. To make sure it is safe to carry the load and safe to drive
The inspection makes sure the vehicle is safe to carry the liquid or gas and safe to drive.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
19. What individual tank rated capacity (more than how many gallons) is part of the tank endorsement rule?
1. A. 119 gallons
2. B. 50 gallons
3. C. 500 gallons
4. D. 1000 gallons
Show answer
Answer: A. 119 gallons
The manual says an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
20. 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.

Missouri CDL Tanker questions

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

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

Is the Missouri 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. Missouri uses its own handbook: https://dor.mo.gov/forms/Commerical_Driver_License.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Missouri?

CLP fee: $44, which is a $25 written test fee, a $10 permit fee and a $9 office fee. Pay by card, check or cash.

What languages is the Missouri CDL knowledge test offered in?

Commercial knowledge tests are English only, and no translators are allowed (RSMo 302.720).

Sources

https://dor.mo.gov/resources/official-final-rules/documents/12_CSR_10-24_300_CDL_Written_Examinations_Final.pdf
https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/commercial/
https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/documents/feechart.pdf
https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/commercial/cdl-permit.html
https://dor.mo.gov/faq/driver-license/cdl-clp.html
https://dor.mo.gov/forms/Commerical_Driver_License.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction); 8.1.1 Leaks; 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity; 8.2.2 Danger of Surge; 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks; 8.2.5 Un-baffled Tanks; 8.2.6 Outage; 8.2.7 How Much to Load; 8.3.2 Controlling Surge; 8.3.3 Curves; 8.3.4 Stopping Distance

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