North Carolina CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test

The North Carolina CDL Hazardous Materials test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), part of NCDOT 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 North Carolina 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.

North Carolina CDL permit facts

What	What North Carolina says	Source
Hazardous Materials pass mark	80%	Official page
CLP fee	$25.50 (listed as Learner's Permit in the manual fee list)	Official page
CLP validity	180 days. It can be renewed once, also for 180 days.	Official page
Test languages	The CDL pages do not name the languages for CDL tests and give no English-only rule. For regular license tests NCDMV says tests are offered in different languages and oral tests are available on request, and you can ask for an ASL or language interpreter online.	Official page

20 question Hazardous Materials practice test

1. When may liquid discharge valves on a compressed gas tank be open?
1. A. While driving on the highway
2. B. Any time the tank is full
3. C. Only when loading and unloading
Show answer
Answer: C. Only when loading and unloading
Keep liquid discharge valves closed except when loading and unloading.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.5.4.
2. 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.
3. What must a driver do about the special hazmat transport rules?
1. A. Follow all of them
2. B. Follow them only on highways
3. C. Follow them only for large loads
4. D. Follow only the ones the shipper names
Show answer
Answer: A. Follow all of them
The driver follows all special rules about transporting hazardous materials.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.3.
4. Besides a gas mask, what must a driver hauling chlorine in cargo tanks carry?
1. A. A spare tank
2. B. A flare kit
3. C. An emergency kit for leaks in the dome cover plate fittings
Show answer
Answer: C. An emergency kit for leaks in the dome cover plate fittings
The driver must also have an emergency kit for controlling leaks in dome cover plate fittings.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.11.
5. Which bulk package does NOT need to show the owner's name or shipping name?
1. A. An intermediate bulk container (IBC)
2. B. A portable tank
3. C. A cargo tank
Show answer
Answer: A. An intermediate bulk container (IBC)
IBCs are bulk packages, but they are not required to have the owner's name or shipping name.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.5.1.
6. What is a safe haven?
1. A. A rest area for drivers
2. B. A weigh station
3. C. An approved place to park unattended explosives vehicles
4. D. A fuel stop
Show answer
Answer: C. An approved place to park unattended explosives vehicles
A safe haven is an approved place for parking unattended vehicles with explosives.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.1 Parking with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Explosives.
7. Which division is named Dangerous When Wet?
1. A. Division 4.1
2. B. Division 4.2
3. C. Division 4.3
4. D. Division 5.1
Show answer
Answer: C. Division 4.3
Table 9.1 lists Division 4.3 as Dangerous When Wet.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.1 Definitions.
8. 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.
9. A box of explosives has an oily stain on it. What should you do?
1. A. Take it if the stain is small
2. B. Take it but load it last
3. C. Take it but ride slowly
4. D. Do not take the package
Show answer
Answer: D. Do not take the package
Do not take a package that shows any dampness or oily stain.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1 Class 1 (Explosives) Materials.
10. You will load explosives. What do you look for in the cargo space?
1. A. Soft cushions
2. B. Wet towels
3. C. Loose rope
4. D. Sharp points such as bolts, nails, or broken floorboards
Show answer
Answer: D. Sharp points such as bolts, nails, or broken floorboards
You must make sure there are no sharp points that might damage cargo.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1.
11. A Division 6.2 infectious substances package is damaged. Who should you contact right away?
1. A. The shipper's customer
2. B. Your supervisor
3. C. A nearby hospital
4. D. The next driver
Show answer
Answer: B. Your supervisor
You should immediately contact your supervisor.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards.
12. When must the driver put placards on the vehicle, if they are required?
1. A. After the first rest stop
2. B. After arriving at the destination
3. C. Only after leaving the state
4. D. When loading
Show answer
Answer: D. When loading
Drivers placard the vehicle when loading, if required.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.3 The Driver.
13. How far before the nearest rail must you stop if you are placarded?
1. A. 5 to 10 feet
2. B. 50 to 100 feet
3. C. 15 to 50 feet
4. D. 100 to 200 feet
Show answer
Answer: C. 15 to 50 feet
You must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings.
14. What do the rules usually say about cargo heaters when loading explosives or flammables?
1. A. They must be set to low
2. B. They must be on at night
3. C. They usually forbid the use of cargo heaters
4. D. They must be on a timer
Show answer
Answer: C. They usually forbid the use of cargo heaters
The rules usually forbid use of cargo heaters, including automatic heater/air conditioner units.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. What must you have when you carry Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives?
1. A. A verbal route plan
2. B. A GPS only
3. C. No plan if the trip is short
4. D. A written route plan
Show answer
Answer: D. A written route plan
You must have a written route plan and follow it.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.5 Route Restrictions.
18. You find an overheated tire on your hazmat truck. What should you do?
1. A. Pour cold water on it and keep driving
2. B. Leave it on if the load is close to delivery
3. C. Remove it and place it a safe distance from the vehicle
Show answer
Answer: C. Remove it and place it a safe distance from the vehicle
Remove any overheated tire and place it a safe distance from your vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.9.
19. A shipping paper for hazardous materials must include what for each hazardous material?
1. A. A photo of the package
2. B. The price of the material
3. C. A proper shipping description
4. D. The driver's signature
Show answer
Answer: C. A proper shipping description
The shipping paper must include a proper shipping description for each hazardous material.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.4 The Shipping Paper.
20. What is the correct order of a basic description?
1. A. Shipping name, ID number, packing group, hazard class
2. B. Hazard class, ID number, shipping name, packing group
3. C. Packing group, hazard class, shipping name, ID number
4. D. ID number, shipping name, hazard class, packing group
Show answer
Answer: D. ID number, shipping name, hazard class, packing group
The order is identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class or division, then packing group.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.5 The Item Description.

North Carolina CDL Hazardous Materials questions

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

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

Is the North Carolina 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. North Carolina uses its own handbook: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Documents/commercial-driver-manual.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in North Carolina?

CLP fee: $25.50 (listed as Learner's Permit in the manual fee list).

What languages is the North Carolina CDL knowledge test offered in?

The CDL pages do not name the languages for CDL tests and give no English-only rule. For regular license tests NCDMV says tests are offered in different languages and oral tests are available on request, and you can ask for an ASL or language interpreter online.

Sources

https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Documents/commercial-driver-manual.pdf
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/commercial/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/driver-license-tests.aspx
Manual sections used in this test: 9.1.1 Contain the Material; 9.2.2 The Carrier; 9.2.3; 9.2.3 The Driver; 9.3.1 Definitions; 9.3.4 The Shipping Paper; 9.3.5 The Item Description; 9.3.9 Hazardous Waste Manifest; 9.4.1; 9.4.1 Class 1 (Explosives) Materials; 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements; 9.5.1; 9.5.4; 9.6.1 Parking with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Explosives; 9.6.11; 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings; 9.6.5 Route Restrictions; 9.6.9; 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards

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