Ohio CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test

The Ohio CDL Hazardous Materials test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. You need at least 80% to pass. That's the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135 (Ohio does not publish its own number).

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 Ohio 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.

Ohio CDL permit facts

What	What Ohio says	Source
Hazardous Materials pass mark	At least 80%. This is the federal minimum (49 CFR 383.135); Ohio does not publish its own number.	Official page
CLP fee	$31.50 (listed as the CDL temporary permit fee, driver fee included)	Official page
CLP validity	12 months	Official page
Test languages	Drivers must read, speak and write English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs and answer official questions. Translation aids are not allowed. The BMV offers the CDL manual in English (HSY 7605) and Spanish (HSY 7606). Tests are taken in person at a driver exam station.	Official page

20 question Hazardous Materials practice test

1. Your vehicle is placarded. Which route is best, if you have a choice?
1. A. The shortest route through downtown
2. B. A tunnel to save time
3. C. A narrow alley shortcut
4. D. A route that avoids crowds, tunnels, and narrow streets
Show answer
Answer: D. A route that avoids crowds, tunnels, and narrow streets
Whenever placarded, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets, and alleys.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.5.
2. You send someone for help with a leak. Which item should you tell them to report?
1. A. Your exact location and direction of travel
2. B. Your home address
3. C. The price of the cargo
4. D. The name of your last customer
Show answer
Answer: A. Your exact location and direction of travel
The helper should give your exact location and direction of travel.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.3 Fires.
3. When may a placarded vehicle proceed over railroad tracks after stopping?
1. A. As soon as the crossing arms go up
2. B. When no train is coming and you can clear the tracks without stopping
3. C. When you have waited 10 seconds
Show answer
Answer: B. When no train is coming and you can clear the tracks without stopping
Proceed only when you are sure no train is coming and you can clear the tracks without stopping.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.12.
4. Which method should you NEVER use to identify a leaking material?
1. A. Check the shipping papers
2. B. Look at the labels
3. C. Check the package location
4. D. Use your sense of smell
Show answer
Answer: D. Use your sense of smell
Toxic gases can destroy your sense of smell and can injure or kill you even if they don't smell.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.3 Fires.
5. How must the identification number be shown on a cargo tank?
1. A. White numbers on a black panel
2. B. Red numbers on a yellow panel
3. C. Black numbers on an orange panel, a placard, or a white diamond
4. D. Black numbers on a green panel
Show answer
Answer: C. Black numbers on an orange panel, a placard, or a white diamond
The rules require black numbers on orange panels, placards, or a white diamond-shaped background.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.5.1.
6. 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.
7. After loading hazardous materials, what must you NOT do during the trip?
1. A. Open any package
2. B. Check the tires
3. C. Look at your mirrors
4. D. Check your shipping papers
Show answer
Answer: A. Open any package
After loading, do not open any package during your trip.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements.
8. The hazardous material name marked on a package should match what?
1. A. The name on the shipping paper
2. B. The driver's trip log
3. C. The placard color
4. D. The carrier's company name
Show answer
Answer: A. The name on the shipping paper
The package marking is the same name as on the shipping paper.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.7 Package Markings and Labels.
9. 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.
10. You carry a small amount of chlorine and are not placarded. At a railroad crossing, what must you do?
1. A. Slow down only
2. B. Stop only if a train is seen
3. C. Drive across
4. D. Stop, since any amount of chlorine requires a stop
Show answer
Answer: D. Stop, since any amount of chlorine requires a stop
You must stop if your vehicle carries any amount of chlorine.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings.
11. Which letter may be placed in the HM column before a hazardous material description?
1. A. H
2. B. X
3. C. Z
4. D. P
Show answer
Answer: B. X
An X placed before the shipping description in the HM column identifies a hazardous material.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.5 The Item Description.
12. What must you do to get a hazmat endorsement on your CDL?
1. A. Work for a shipper for one year
2. B. Get a letter from your carrier
3. C. Pass a written test about hazardous materials
4. D. Pass only a road test in an empty truck
Show answer
Answer: C. Pass a written test about hazardous materials
You must pass a written test about transporting hazardous materials.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.1.3 Assure Safe Drivers and Equipment.
13. Who must choose the safest route for placarded radioactive materials?
1. A. The carrier
2. B. The shipper
3. C. The consignee
Show answer
Answer: A. The carrier
A carrier must choose the safest route, then tell the driver about the materials and show the route plan.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.5.
14. What kind of floor liner must you use for Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3?
1. A. Iron
2. B. Steel
3. C. Non-metallic material or non-ferrous metal
4. D. Any metal
Show answer
Answer: C. Non-metallic material or non-ferrous metal
The liner must be non-metallic or non-ferrous metal.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1.
15. Which tool should you NOT use when loading hazardous materials?
1. A. A hand truck
2. B. A pallet
3. C. A strap
4. D. A hook
Show answer
Answer: D. A hook
The manual says not to use hooks because they might damage containers.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4 Loading and Unloading.
16. 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.
17. What should you NOT do while crossing railroad tracks with a placarded vehicle?
1. A. Shift gears
2. B. Look both ways
3. C. Keep a steady speed
4. D. Check for trains first
Show answer
Answer: A. Shift gears
Don't shift gears while crossing the tracks.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings.
18. When may you move flammable compressed gas from one tank to another on a public road?
1. A. When fueling road construction or maintenance machinery
2. B. When the tanks are almost empty
3. C. When it is dark
4. D. When the weather is dry
Show answer
Answer: A. When fueling road construction or maintenance machinery
The exception is fueling machinery used in road construction or maintenance.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards.
19. When must you ground a cargo tank for flammable liquids filled through an open filling hole?
1. A. After the tank is half full
2. B. After closing the filling hole
3. C. Before opening the filling hole
4. D. Only at night
Show answer
Answer: C. Before opening the filling hole
Ground the tank before opening the filling hole and keep it until after closing.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.5.3 Flammable Liquids.
20. You will drive a short way with a small amount in your tank. What must you do first?
1. A. Leave the valves open to vent
2. B. Close only the top hatch
3. C. Nothing, the trip is short
4. D. Close all manholes and valves
Show answer
Answer: D. Close all manholes and valves
Close all manholes and valves, no matter how small the amount or how short the distance.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.5.2 Tank Loading.

Ohio CDL Hazardous Materials questions

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

You need at least 80% to pass. That is the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135. Ohio does not publish its own number.

Is the Ohio 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. Ohio uses its own handbook: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/publicsafety.ohio.gov/HSY7605.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Ohio?

CLP fee: $31.50 (listed as the CDL temporary permit fee, driver fee included).

What languages is the Ohio CDL knowledge test offered in?

Drivers must read, speak and write English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs and answer official questions. Translation aids are not allowed. The BMV offers the CDL manual in English (HSY 7605) and Spanish (HSY 7606). Tests are taken in person at a driver exam station.

Sources

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.135
https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspx
https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-cdl-classes.aspx
https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/publicsafety.ohio.gov/HSY7605.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 9.1.3 Assure Safe Drivers and Equipment; 9.3.5 The Item Description; 9.3.7 Package Markings and Labels; 9.3.8 Recognizing Hazardous Materials; 9.4 Loading and Unloading; 9.4.1; 9.4.1 General Loading Requirements; 9.5.1; 9.5.2 Tank Loading; 9.5.3 Flammable Liquids; 9.6.11; 9.6.12; 9.6.12 Stop before Railroad Crossings; 9.6.5; 9.7.3 Fires; 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards

Hazardous Materials practice test in nearby states