Who normally classifies a shipment and supplies its proper shipping description before the carrier accepts it?
Correct answer: The shipper offering the material.
The shipper normally classifies and describes the material. Each offeror remains responsible for the functions it performs; a carrier cannot knowingly accept an improperly prepared shipment.
Source: PHMSA interpretation 22-0041, September 9, 2022; shipper classification and proper description; also 49 CFR 171.2(b), (e)–(f); reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
At pickup, a hazardous-material package visibly leaks its contents, with no authorized venting or other exception. What should the driver do?
Correct answer: Refuse it and have the problem resolved before transport.
Packaging must prevent identifiable releases under normal transportation conditions, except where specifically authorized. A carrier must not accept this leaking shipment; have the problem resolved before transport.
Source: 49 CFR 173.24(b)(1); also 171.2(e); current eCFR text for covered operations, retrieved September 21, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Under the general federal hazmat-employee training rule, how often is recurrent training required?
Correct answer: At least once every three years.
Recurrent hazmat-employee training is required at least every three years. A CDL renewal is not a substitute, and required training for changed duties or rules must not be postponed until that interval expires.
Source: PHMSA Training Requirements for Industry, updated October 8, 2024; 49 CFR 172.704 initial and recurrent training; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A newly hired hazmat employee has not finished required initial training. What condition permits covered work during the initial training period?
Correct answer: Direct supervision by a properly trained, knowledgeable hazmat employee.
Initial training must be completed within 90 days, and covered functions performed beforehand must be under the specified direct supervision. This does not waive separate driver licensing requirements.
Source: PHMSA Training Requirements for Industry, updated October 8, 2024; 49 CFR 172.704 initial and recurrent training; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
After a hazmat employee leaves that role with an employer, how long must that employer keep the required current training record?
Correct answer: For 90 days after employment as a hazmat employee ends.
The employer retains current training records, inclusive of the preceding three years, throughout hazmat employment and for 90 days thereafter.
Source: PHMSA Training Requirements for Industry, updated October 8, 2024; 49 CFR 172.704 recordkeeping; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Which employees need the applicable in-depth security training in addition to general security awareness?
Correct answer: Employees covered by a required hazardous-material security plan.
PHMSA lists general security awareness among hazmat training subjects and in-depth security training when a security plan is required. The training must match the employee's covered duties.
Source: PHMSA Training Requirements for Industry, updated October 8, 2024; 49 CFR 172.704 training categories; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
For an ordinary highway shipment assigned a packing group, which basic-description order is correct?
Correct answer: Identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group.
The four basic elements must appear in the prescribed sequence, without unrelated information inserted between them. Authorized technical names and subsidiary hazards follow their specific rules.
Source: 49 CFR 172.202(a)(1)–(4), (b); current eCFR text for covered operations, retrieved September 21, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Hazardous and nonhazardous freight appear on one shipping paper. Which is an accepted way to identify the hazardous entries?
Correct answer: Put an X before their basic descriptions in an HM column.
PHMSA describes an X in the HM column as one accepted method. Hazardous entries can alternatively be listed first or presented in the specified contrasting color; merely marking the total weight is not sufficient.
Source: PHMSA interpretation 15-0189, January 8, 2016; 49 CFR 172.201(a)(1), identifying hazardous entries; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
What language must the required hazardous-material shipping description use for covered U.S. transportation?
Correct answer: Legible English.
The required shipping description and transport copies must be legible and printed manually or mechanically in English.
Source: PHMSA interpretation 10-0140, August 11, 2010; 49 CFR 172.201(a)(2), legible English shipping descriptions; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Which abbreviation is expressly allowed in the shipping-paper rules when it is commonly accepted and recognizable?
Correct answer: A packaging-type abbreviation such as cyl. for cylinder.
Commonly recognized packaging-type abbreviations and measurement units can be used. This does not authorize improvised abbreviations in the required material description.
Source: 49 CFR 172.202(a)(7), (c)(1); current eCFR text for covered operations, retrieved September 21, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A required shipping paper spans three pages. How should the pages be identified?
Correct answer: Number them consecutively and show the total on page one.
Each page must be consecutively numbered, and the first must indicate the total, such as page 1 of 3.
Source: PHMSA interpretation 15-0189, January 8, 2016; 49 CFR 172.201(c), multipage shipping papers; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Where may the total quantity appear relative to the basic hazardous-material description?
Correct answer: Before or after the basic description.
Quantity and packaging information can appear before or after the basic description. They must not interrupt its prescribed sequence.
Source: 49 CFR 172.202(b), (c)(1); current eCFR text for covered operations, retrieved September 21, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
