Pennsylvania CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test

The Pennsylvania 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 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania CDL permit facts

What	What Pennsylvania says	Source
Hazardous Materials pass mark	At least 80%. This is the federal minimum (49 CFR 383.135); Pennsylvania does not publish its own number.	Official page
Hazardous Materials test questions	30	Official page
CLP fee (photo fee, one permit)	$15.50 photo fee, plus $6.00 for each endorsement or restriction removal (no fee for the school bus endorsement). Add $5 for each additional commercial permit on the fee chart.	Official page
CLP validity	The permit is valid for one year from the date the Knowledge Test Authorization (KTA) is issued.	Official page
Test languages	PennDOT offers knowledge tests in multiple languages, in written and audio format. The hazmat knowledge test is English only. The test language list is not published on the pages checked.	Official page

20 question Hazardous Materials practice test

1. 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.
2. How close must the person attending a parked placarded vehicle be if not in the vehicle?
1. A. Within 300 feet
2. B. Within 100 feet and in clear view
3. C. Within 500 feet
4. D. Within 25 feet but out of sight
Show answer
Answer: B. Within 100 feet and in clear view
The person must be within 100 feet and have the vehicle in clear view.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.3 Attending Parked Vehicles.
3. Who must find out if a hazardous materials trip needs permits or special routes?
1. A. The driver
2. B. The shipper only
3. C. The police
4. D. The receiver
Show answer
Answer: A. The driver
It is your job as driver to find out about permits or special routes.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.6.5 Route Restrictions.
4. 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.
5. What do the labels on a hazmat package always show?
1. A. The weight of the package
2. B. The shipper's phone number
3. C. The date it was packed
4. D. The hazard class of the product
Show answer
Answer: D. The hazard class of the product
Labels always reflect the hazard class of the product.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.7 Package Markings and Labels.
6. Which placard goes with Class 3 Flammable Liquids?
1. A. Combustible
2. B. Flammable
3. C. Flammable Solid
4. D. Flammable Gas
Show answer
Answer: B. Flammable
The Table B row for 3 Flammable Liquids says Flammable.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.11 Placard Tables.
7. 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.
8. Division 2.3 or 6.1 materials must NOT be in what kind of containers?
1. A. New containers
2. B. Containers with interconnections
3. C. Metal containers
4. D. Containers with labels
Show answer
Answer: B. Containers with interconnections
Never transport these materials in containers with interconnections.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.4.1.
9. 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.
10. In hazmat rules, what is a carrier?
1. A. A person who transports passengers or property in commerce
2. B. A person who delivers only by truck
3. C. The person who receives the shipment
Show answer
Answer: A. A person who transports passengers or property in commerce
A carrier transports passengers or property in commerce by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle, or vessel.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.8.
11. What do the words outage and ullage mean?
1. A. The weight of the package plus its contents
2. B. How far a package is from being full of liquid
3. C. The name of the product on the paper
Show answer
Answer: B. How far a package is from being full of liquid
Outage or ullage is the amount by which a packaging falls short of being liquid full.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.8.
12. 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.
13. Uranium belongs to which hazard class?
1. A. Class 6, Poison
2. B. Class 7, Radioactive
3. C. Class 8, Corrosives
4. D. Class 9, Miscellaneous
Show answer
Answer: B. Class 7, Radioactive
Table 9.1 lists uranium as a Class 7 radioactive material.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.1 Definitions.
14. A package needs two labels. Where must they be placed?
1. A. On opposite sides of the package
2. B. Close together, near the proper shipping name
3. C. On the bottom of the package
4. D. Anywhere on the package
Show answer
Answer: B. Close together, near the proper shipping name
Multiple labels must be close together, near the proper shipping name.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.7 Package Markings and Labels.
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. Where does the signed shipper's certification appear?
1. A. On the placards
2. B. In the Emergency Response Guidebook
3. C. On the original shipping paper
4. D. On the driver's license
Show answer
Answer: C. On the original shipping paper
The signed certification appears on the original shipping paper.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.3.6 Shipper's Certification.
17. Radioactive material spilled in your trailer. When may you use the vehicle again?
1. A. After a day of airing out
2. B. After it is cleaned and checked with a survey meter
3. C. After you wash your hands
4. D. After the shipping papers are signed
Show answer
Answer: B. After it is cleaned and checked with a survey meter
Do not use the vehicle until it is cleaned and checked with a survey meter.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards.
18. You are driving and see your load leaking. The next truck stop is 10 miles away. What should you do?
1. A. Drive to the truck stop for help
2. B. Slow down and keep driving
3. C. Park and send someone else for help
4. D. Drive faster to get there sooner
Show answer
Answer: C. Park and send someone else for help
Never keep driving with a leak to find help. Park it, secure the area, and stay there.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.7.3 Fires.
19. How must a driver transport a hazmat shipment?
1. A. Slowly with many stops
2. B. Only at night
3. C. Only with a second driver
4. D. Safely and without delay
Show answer
Answer: D. Safely and without delay
The driver safely transports the shipment without delay.
From the official CDL manual, section 9.2.3.
20. 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.

Pennsylvania CDL Hazardous Materials questions

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

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

Is the Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania uses its own handbook: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-manuals/commercial-drivers-manual/pub223.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Pennsylvania?

CLP fee (photo fee, one permit): $15.50 photo fee, plus $6.00 for each endorsement or restriction removal (no fee for the school bus endorsement). Add $5 for each additional commercial permit on the fee chart..

What languages is the Pennsylvania CDL knowledge test offered in?

PennDOT offers knowledge tests in multiple languages, in written and audio format. The hazmat knowledge test is English only. The test language list is not published on the pages checked.

Sources

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.135
https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-fact-sheets/fs-cdl.pdf
https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-form/dl-31cd.pdf
https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-manuals/commercial-drivers-manual/pub223.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 9.1.3 Assure Safe Drivers and Equipment; 9.2.3; 9.3.1 Definitions; 9.3.11 Placard Tables; 9.3.3 Lists of Regulated Products; 9.3.5 The Item Description; 9.3.6 Shipper's Certification; 9.3.7 Package Markings and Labels; 9.4 Loading and Unloading; 9.4.1; 9.6.3 Attending Parked Vehicles; 9.6.5 Route Restrictions; 9.6.9; 9.7.3 Fires; 9.7.4 Responses to Specific Hazards; 9.8

Hazardous Materials practice test in nearby states