HazMat Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Endorsement Theory 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a hazardous materials shipping paper?
- To identify the shipper's insurance policy
- To describe the hazardous materials and provide emergency response information (Correct answer)
- To list the driver's qualifications for transporting HazMat
- To document the truck's maintenance history
Correct answer: To describe the hazardous materials and provide emergency response information
Shipping papers describe the hazardous materials being transported and provide critical emergency response information.
Question 2: Where must shipping papers be kept while a driver is operating a vehicle transporting hazardous materials?
- In the glove compartment at all times
- In a pouch on the driver's door or within reach while driving, and on the seat or visible when out of the cab (Correct answer)
- Locked in the sleeper berth for security
- Stored in the trailer with the cargo
Correct answer: In a pouch on the driver's door or within reach while driving, and on the seat or visible when out of the cab
Shipping papers must be within reach while driving and left on the seat or in a door pouch when the driver exits the cab.
Question 3: Which federal agency sets most hazardous materials transportation regulations that CDL drivers must follow?
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) (Correct answer)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Correct answer: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
PHMSA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, sets the hazardous materials regulations (HMR) that govern transportation.
Question 4: What does the term 'forbidden' mean when applied to a hazardous material?
- The material requires special permits to transport
- The material may never be transported by any mode (Correct answer)
- The material may only be transported in limited quantities
- The material requires a hazmat team escort
Correct answer: The material may never be transported by any mode
A 'forbidden' designation means the material must never be offered for transportation or transported by any mode.
Question 5: What information is NOT required on a hazardous materials shipping paper?
- Proper shipping name
- Hazard class or division
- Driver's commercial driver's license number (Correct answer)
- Identification number
Correct answer: Driver's commercial driver's license number
The driver's CDL number is not required on shipping papers; required items include proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, and packing group.
Question 6: What is a 'reportable quantity' (RQ) in hazardous materials transportation?
- The minimum amount of HazMat that triggers placard requirements
- The amount of a hazardous substance that triggers special reporting requirements under EPA regulations (Correct answer)
- The maximum load allowed for a single shipment
- The quantity that requires a hazmat team standby during loading
Correct answer: The amount of a hazardous substance that triggers special reporting requirements under EPA regulations
A reportable quantity is the threshold amount of a hazardous substance that, if released, must be reported to federal authorities.
Question 7: During a hazardous materials transport, a driver notices a leak from a package. What should the driver do FIRST?
- Continue driving to reach the nearest repair shop
- Park away from populated areas, stay upwind, and contact emergency services (Correct answer)
- Try to repair the leak using duct tape and continue delivery
- Call the shipper to ask if the leak is acceptable
Correct answer: Park away from populated areas, stay upwind, and contact emergency services
The driver should park safely away from people and structures, stay upwind of the leak, and immediately notify emergency services.
HazMat Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Endorsement Theory 2
What is the purpose of a hazardous materials shipping paper?