New York CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test

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

Last updated Oct 15, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the New York CDL manual on October 15, 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.

New York CDL permit facts

What	What New York says	Source
Hazardous Materials pass mark	80%	Official page
CLP validity	One year (365 days) for original permits issued on or after December 27, 2022	Official page
Knowledge test retest rule	No limit on how many times you can retake a failed knowledge test, but it is at the discretion of the District Director, Office Manager, County Clerk or Office Supervisor	Official page
Test languages	CDL tests are given in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. The hazmat test is English only. You must read and speak English well enough to talk with people, read road signs, answer officials, fill in reports and take skills tests.	Official page

20 question Hazardous Materials practice test

1. 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.
2. What is the least size of a placard?
1. A. 10 3/4 inches square
2. B. 6 inches square
3. C. 8 inches square
4. D. 12 inches square
Show answer
Answer: A. 10 3/4 inches square
Placards are at least 10 3/4 inches square.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products.
3. Who is responsible for the emergency response telephone number on a shipping paper?
1. A. The driver
2. B. The receiver
3. C. The carrier's dispatcher
4. D. The shipper
Show answer
Answer: D. The shipper
The shipper is responsible for the emergency response telephone number.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.5 The Item Description.
4. A radioactive package has a total transport index of 5.1 to 10.0. How far must it be from people?
1. A. 1 foot
2. B. 2 feet
3. C. 3 feet
4. D. 4 feet
Show answer
Answer: C. 3 feet
Table 9.7B shows 3 ft for a transport index of 5.1 to 10.0.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.5 Required Notification (Table 9.7B).
5. A shipment is not marked and labeled correctly. What does the carrier do?
1. A. Accepts it and fixes it later
2. B. Accepts it and drives slowly
3. C. Refuses the shipment
4. D. Moves it to a different truck
Show answer
Answer: C. Refuses the shipment
Carriers refuse improper shipments.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.2 The Carrier.
6. 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.
7. Which letters come before a hazmat identification number?
1. A. HM or ID
2. B. UN or NA
3. C. RQ or PG
4. D. US or CA
Show answer
Answer: B. UN or NA
Identification numbers are preceded by UN or NA.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products.
8. Which name goes with Division 1.1?
1. A. Projection Hazard
2. B. Mass Explosion
3. C. Fire Hazard
4. D. Minor Explosion
Show answer
Answer: B. Mass Explosion
Table 9.1 lists Division 1.1 as Mass Explosion.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.1 Definitions.
9. What are the rules for packaging, loading, and unloading hazmat called?
1. A. Containment rules
2. B. Placard rules
3. C. Routing rules
4. D. Endorsement rules
Show answer
Answer: A. Containment rules
The manual calls them containment rules.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.1.1.
10. To whom may you give a hazardous waste shipment?
1. A. A registered carrier or disposal/treatment facility
2. B. Any carrier with space
3. C. The nearest dump
4. D. Any shipper who asks
Show answer
Answer: A. A registered carrier or disposal/treatment facility
Give the waste only to a registered carrier or disposal/treatment facility.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.9 Hazardous Waste Manifest.
11. Where may the front placard be placed?
1. A. Only on the front of the tractor
2. B. Only on the front of the trailer
3. C. On the tractor door only
4. D. On the front of the tractor or the front of the trailer
Show answer
Answer: D. On the front of the tractor or the front of the trailer
The front placard may go on the tractor front or the trailer front.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.10 Placarding.
12. At what total weight do non-bulk Table B materials need placards?
1. A. 501 pounds or more
2. B. 1,001 pounds or more
3. C. 2,205 pounds or more
4. D. Any amount
Show answer
Answer: B. 1,001 pounds or more
Table B needs placards at 1,001 pounds or more, including the package.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.11 Placard Tables.
13. In Table 9.3, what is the reportable quantity for phorate?
1. A. 100 pounds
2. B. 5,000 pounds
3. C. 10 pounds
4. D. 1 pound
Show answer
Answer: C. 10 pounds
Table 9.3 lists phorate at 10 pounds (4.54 kilograms).
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products.
14. You find a smoldering package of flammable solids. What should you NOT do?
1. A. Warn others of the fire hazard
2. B. Open the smoldering package
3. C. Remove it if you can do so safely
4. D. Keep bystanders away
Show answer
Answer: B. Open the smoldering package
Do not open smoldering packages of flammable solids.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards.
15. While you load hazardous materials, a worker lights a cigarette nearby. What should you do?
1. A. Allow it if the worker stands upwind
2. B. Allow it if the cargo is sealed
3. C. Allow it after the first box is loaded
4. D. Not let people smoke nearby
Show answer
Answer: D. Not let people smoke nearby
The manual says to keep fire away and not let people smoke nearby.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements.
16. You leave the cab. Where do you leave the shipping papers?
1. A. Under the bunk
2. B. In the door pouch or on the driver's seat
3. C. In the trailer
4. D. In your pocket
Show answer
Answer: B. In the door pouch or on the driver's seat
Leave them in the driver's door pouch or on the driver's seat.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.10 Where to Keep Shipping Papers and Emergency Response Information.
17. What is the only acceptable way to check tire pressure?
1. A. Use a tire pressure gauge
2. B. Hit the tire with a bar
3. C. Look at the tire
4. D. Kick the tire
Show answer
Answer: A. Use a tire pressure gauge
The only acceptable way is to use a tire pressure gauge.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.9 Check Tires.
18. Which shipping paper entry suggests a hazardous material?
1. A. One with an X or RQ in the hazardous materials column
2. B. One with a page number
3. C. One with the delivery date
4. D. One with the shipper's address
Show answer
Answer: A. One with an X or RQ in the hazardous materials column
A highlighted entry or an X or RQ in the HM column is a clue.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.8 Recognizing Hazardous Materials.
19. You drive a placarded trailer. May you drop the trailer on a public street and leave it?
1. A. Yes, if you return within one hour
2. B. Yes, if the street is quiet
3. C. No, never leave a trailer with hazardous materials on a public street
Show answer
Answer: C. No, never leave a trailer with hazardous materials on a public street
Do not uncouple a trailer and leave it with hazardous materials on a public street.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.2.
20. Which packages must not be left near people, animals, or film longer than the tables allow?
1. A. Radioactive yellow II or yellow III packages
2. B. Any package with a red label
3. C. All Class 3 packages
4. D. Any empty package
Show answer
Answer: A. Radioactive yellow II or yellow III packages
The manual names radioactive yellow II and yellow III labeled packages.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.5 Required Notification (Radioactive Separation).

New York CDL Hazardous Materials questions

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

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

Is the New York 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. New York uses its own handbook: https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/commercial-drivers/new-york-state-commercial-drivers-manual

What languages is the New York CDL knowledge test offered in?

CDL tests are given in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. The hazmat test is English only. You must read and speak English well enough to talk with people, read road signs, answer officials, fill in reports and take skills tests.

Sources

https://dmv.ny.gov/brochure/cdl10sec01.pdf
https://dmv.ny.gov/news/dmv-extends-validity-of-commercial-learner-permit
https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/commercial-drivers/get-a-commercial-driver-license-cdl
https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/commercial-drivers/new-york-state-commercial-drivers-manual
Manual sections used in this test: 9.1.1; 9.1.1 Contain the Material; 9.2.2 The Carrier; 9.3.1 Definitions; 9.3.10 Placarding; 9.3.11 Placard Tables; 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products; 9.3.5 The Item Description; 9.3.8 Recognizing Hazardous Materials; 9.3.9 Hazardous Waste Manifest; 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements; 9.6.10 Where to Keep Shipping Papers and Emergency Response Information; 9.6.2; 9.6.9 Check Tires; 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards; 9.7.5 Required Notification (Radioactive Separation); 9.7.5 Required Notification (Table 9.7B)

Hazardous Materials practice test in nearby states