Wisconsin CDL Tanker Practice Test

The Wisconsin CDL Tanker test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (Wisconsin DMV) 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 Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin CDL permit facts

What	What Wisconsin says	Source
Tanker pass mark	80%	Official page
Tanker test questions	20	Official page
CLP fee	$30, valid 180 days (Class A, B or C)	Official page
CLP holding period	Hold the CLP for 14 days before you take a skills test	Official page
Knowledge test retest rule	If you fail, you can retake no sooner than the next day. You may take the same test only five times in one year. After five tries you need special permission from DMV staff	Official page
Test languages	General knowledge, combination, air brakes, doubles and triples, passenger and tanker tests are offered in English, American Sign Language (video), Burmese, Croatian, Polish, Russian, Serbian and Spanish. The hazmat and school bus tests are English only. Translators and audio assist are not allowed on CDL tests.	Official page

20 question Tanker practice test

1. When should you slow down for a curve in a tank vehicle?
1. A. After the curve
2. B. In the middle of the curve
3. C. Before the curve
4. D. Only on sharp curves
Show answer
Answer: C. Before the curve
The manual says to slow down before curves.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.3 Curves.
2. Which vehicle needs the tank endorsement under the manual's rule?
1. A. A Class B truck with a 1500 gallon tank (one tank) hauling liquid
2. B. A pickup with a 20 gallon fuel can
3. C. A Class A truck with no tank
4. D. A bus with a 50 gallon water jug
Show answer
Answer: A. A Class B truck with a 1500 gallon tank (one tank) hauling liquid
A Class A or B vehicle hauling liquid in a tank over 119 gallons with 1000 gallons or more total needs the endorsement.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
3. 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.
4. In a tank vehicle, how should you make turns and lane changes?
1. A. Quickly, to save time
2. B. Smoothly
3. C. Only at high speed
4. D. Without slowing
Show answer
Answer: B. Smoothly
The manual says to make smooth turns and lane changes.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.1 Drive Smoothly.
5. 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.
6. An officer finds your tank leaking. What will happen to you?
1. A. A warning only, then you drive on
2. B. You must drive to the next town
3. C. The load is just weighed
4. D. You will be cited and stopped from driving further
Show answer
Answer: D. You will be cited and stopped from driving further
The manual says you will be cited and prevented from driving further.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
7. 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.
8. What total (aggregate) rated tank capacity is part of the tank endorsement rule?
1. A. 500 gallons or more
2. B. 750 gallons or more
3. C. 1000 gallons or more
4. D. 2000 gallons or more
Show answer
Answer: C. 1000 gallons or more
The manual says an aggregate rated capacity of 1000 gallons or more.
From the official CDL manual, section 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction).
9. Tank vehicles come in many types. Where do you learn how to inspect yours?
1. A. On a road sign
2. B. From a friend at the dock
3. C. From the load's shipping paper
4. D. In the vehicle's operator manual
Show answer
Answer: D. In the vehicle's operator manual
The manual says to check the vehicle's operator manual to know how to inspect your tank vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1 Inspecting Tank Vehicles.
10. How do wet roads change your normal stopping distance?
1. A. They add a few feet
2. B. They cut it in half
3. C. They do not change it
4. D. They double it
Show answer
Answer: D. They double it
Wet roads double the normal stopping distance.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.4 Stopping Distance.
11. You are about to move your tanker. What must you check about the valves?
1. A. That they are all removed
2. B. That they are painted
3. C. That they are all fully open
4. D. That they are in the correct position
Show answer
Answer: D. That they are in the correct position
The manual says to make sure the valves are in the correct position before loading, unloading, or moving.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.1 Leaks.
12. What kind of brake pressure helps control surge?
1. A. A steady pressure
2. B. Pumping on and off
3. C. Very light taps
4. D. Hard then soft
Show answer
Answer: A. A steady pressure
The manual says to keep a steady pressure on the brakes.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.2 Controlling Surge.
13. Which of these helps decide how much liquid you load into a tank?
1. A. The age of the tank
2. B. The color of the liquid
3. C. How much the liquid will expand in transit
Show answer
Answer: C. How much the liquid will expand in transit
The manual lists expansion in transit, liquid weight, and legal weight limits.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.7 How Much to Load.
14. What does high center of gravity mean?
1. A. The truck sits very low
2. B. Much of the load's weight is carried high off the road
3. C. The load is light
4. D. The tank is empty
Show answer
Answer: B. Much of the load's weight is carried high off the road
The manual defines it as much of the load's weight carried high up off the road.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity.
15. Which of these is special purpose equipment on a tank vehicle?
1. A. Grounding and bonding cables
2. B. A tire chain bag
3. C. A cargo net
4. D. A sleeper curtain
Show answer
Answer: A. Grounding and bonding cables
Grounding and bonding cables are listed as special purpose equipment to check.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.1.2 Check Special Purpose Equipment.
16. Which action can make your vehicle skid?
1. A. Driving smoothly
2. B. Over braking
3. C. Steady braking
4. D. Slowing before a curve
Show answer
Answer: B. Over braking
Over steering, over accelerating, or over braking may cause a skid.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.3.5 Skids.
17. You stop a partly filled tanker on ice at an intersection. What danger does the manual warn of?
1. A. The tank will freeze solid
2. B. The wave can shove the truck into the intersection
3. C. The load will turn to gas
4. D. The brakes will lock forever
Show answer
Answer: B. The wave can shove the truck into the intersection
On a slippery surface, the wave can shove a stopped truck out into an intersection.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.2 Danger of Surge.
18. You are coming to a stop in a half full tanker. What does the liquid do?
1. A. Surges back and forth
2. B. Stays still
3. C. Drains out
4. D. Freezes
Show answer
Answer: A. Surges back and forth
The manual says when coming to a stop, the liquid will surge back and forth.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.2 Danger of Surge.
19. What do bulkheads do in some liquid tanks?
1. A. Hold the hoses
2. B. Heat the liquid
3. C. Close the vents
4. D. Divide the tank into smaller tanks
Show answer
Answer: D. Divide the tank into smaller tanks
The manual says bulkheads divide some liquid tanks into several smaller tanks.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.3 Bulkheads.
20. Your tank has baffles. Which kind of surge can still happen?
1. A. Side-to-side surge
2. B. No surge at all
3. C. Only upward surge
4. D. Only forward surge
Show answer
Answer: A. Side-to-side surge
Side-to-side surge can still occur in a baffled tank, and it can cause a roll over.
From the official CDL manual, section 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks.

Wisconsin CDL Tanker questions

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

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

Is the Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin uses its own handbook: https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds356-cdl-manual.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Wisconsin?

CLP fee: $30, valid 180 days (Class A, B or C).

What languages is the Wisconsin CDL knowledge test offered in?

General knowledge, combination, air brakes, doubles and triples, passenger and tanker tests are offered in English, American Sign Language (video), Burmese, Croatian, Polish, Russian, Serbian and Spanish. The hazmat and school bus tests are English only. Translators and audio assist are not allowed on CDL tests.

Sources

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/rqts-for-cdl/cdl-requirements.aspx
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/dmv-fees.aspx
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/teen-driver/teen-hw-aply/knowledge.aspx
https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds356-cdl-manual.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 8 Tank Vehicles (introduction); 8.1 Inspecting Tank Vehicles; 8.1.1 Leaks; 8.1.2 Check Special Purpose Equipment; 8.2.1 High Center of Gravity; 8.2.2 Danger of Surge; 8.2.3 Bulkheads; 8.2.4 Baffled Tanks; 8.2.5 Un-baffled Tanks; 8.2.7 How Much to Load; 8.3.1 Drive Smoothly; 8.3.2 Controlling Surge; 8.3.3 Curves; 8.3.4 Stopping Distance; 8.3.5 Skids

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