A truck containing covered hazardous materials stops to refuel its own fuel tank. What does the hazmat fueling rule require?
Correct answer: Engine off, with a person controlling the fueling at the fill point.
397.15 concerns fueling the motor vehicle itself. It requires the engine not to operate and a person to control the fueling process where the fuel tank is filled.
Source: 49 CFR 397.15(a)–(b); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A normal truck power unit carries hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards. What is its minimum required extinguisher rating?
Correct answer: One extinguisher rated at least 10 B:C.
The placard-required power-unit minimum is 10 B:C. The extinguisher must also be accessible, charged and securely mounted; a rating does not authorize untrained cargo-fire response.
Source: 49 CFR 393.95(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)–(4); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
An empty cargo tank used for Class 3 flammable-liquid transportation breaks down. Which warning equipment is appropriate to carry?
Correct answer: Required reflective triangles, without flame-producing signals.
Flame-producing signals must not be carried on the specified cargo tank whether loaded or empty. The required reflective triangles provide a non-flame warning option.
Source: 49 CFR 393.95(f)(1), (g); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
When does the tire rule for covered hazardous-material vehicles require examination of each tire?
Correct answer: At the start of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked.
397.17(a) specifies trip-start and each-parking examinations. It does not replace the driver's other inspection duties.
Source: 49 CFR 397.17(a); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A covered hazmat truck has a flat tire. Where may it be driven under the repair-location exception?
Correct answer: To the nearest safe place for the necessary repair.
The tire must be repaired, replaced or properly inflated before driving, except travel to the nearest safe place to perform that work. Other safe-operation requirements still apply.
Source: 49 CFR 397.17(b); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A tire on a covered hazmat vehicle is found overheated. What must be resolved before further operation?
Correct answer: The cause of the overheating must be corrected.
The driver must cause the overheated tire to be removed to a safe distance and correct the cause before operating again. Arrange qualified help and maintain applicable parking and attendance precautions.
Source: 49 CFR 397.17(c)–(d); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A Class 3 placard-required truck approaches an ordinary railroad grade crossing with no applicable exception. Where must it stop?
Correct answer: Between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks.
For a covered vehicle, stop within 50 feet but not closer than 15, then look and listen. Use a gear that allows crossing without shifting.
Source: 49 CFR 392.10(a), (a)(3)(vi); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A cargo tank formerly used to transport hazardous material is empty. At an ordinary grade crossing with no applicable exception, does empty status alone remove the federal stop requirement?
Correct answer: No; the rule includes loaded and empty hazardous-material cargo tanks.
392.10(a)(4) expressly covers such cargo tanks whether loaded or empty. The specific crossing exceptions in paragraph (b) must be considered separately.
Source: 49 CFR 392.10(a)(4), (b); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
After making a required railroad stop, how should the driver choose a gear for crossing?
Correct answer: Choose one that allows the whole crossing without shifting.
The rule requires a gear that permits completing the crossing without a gear change and prohibits shifting while crossing.
Source: 49 CFR 392.10(a); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Which shipping information helps responders locate the appropriate entry in the Emergency Response Guidebook?
Correct answer: The proper shipping name and material identification number.
The handbook explains that ERG information is indexed by proper shipping name and identification number. Accurate hazard communication helps responders find the applicable guidance.
Source: Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, May 2026; Section 9; ERG lookup; printed and physical PDF page 170; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
You notice an unfamiliar leak from hazardous cargo. How should you identify the material without deliberately exposing yourself?
Correct answer: Use available shipping information from a safe position.
Do not identify a hazardous leak by touching, tasting or deliberately smelling it. Use papers and safe observations, keep away and seek qualified emergency assistance.
Source: Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, May 2026; Section 9; Unknown leak identification; printed and physical PDF page 171; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Hazardous cargo is leaking and the driver wants to continue to a truck stop to find help. What is the appropriate response?
Correct answer: Stop safely and call or send for help instead of spreading the leak.
The handbook warns against continuing a leaking shipment to find a phone or truck stop. Movement is limited to what safety requires and what can be done without endangering people or spreading contamination.
Source: Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, May 2026; Section 9; Driving a leaking load for help; printed and physical PDF page 171; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Hazardous cargo is burning and the driver lacks specialized firefighting training and equipment. What should the driver do?
Correct answer: Withdraw, warn others and summon emergency responders.
A hazardous cargo fire calls for trained, equipped responders. Keep shipping information available when safely possible and do not put yourself into the hazard.
Source: Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, May 2026; Section 9; Hazardous cargo fire; printed and physical PDF page 171; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
While waiting for responders at a hazardous-material release, which location does the handbook recommend for people kept away from the scene?
Correct answer: Far away and upwind of the release.
Keep people far away and upwind and warn them about the danger. Actual isolation distances and protective actions depend on the material and responders' guidance.
Source: Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, May 2026; Section 9; Upwind protective position; printed and physical PDF page 171; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
What information is especially useful when someone contacts responders about your hazardous-cargo incident?
Correct answer: Exact location, incident details and known shipment identification.
Give the exact location and direction of travel, what happened, carrier details and known proper shipping name, class and identification number. Do not approach the hazard merely to gather missing information.
Source: Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, May 2026; Section 9; Information when requesting help; printed and physical PDF page 172; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A transportation incident meets 171.15's NRC telephone-report criteria. When must the person in physical possession notify the NRC?
Correct answer: As soon as practical, no later than 12 hours after occurrence.
The telephone deadline is as soon as practical and within 12 hours. This is not permission to delay emergency assistance; the detailed written report has a separate deadline.
Source: 49 CFR 171.15(a); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A hazardous material directly causes the public to be evacuated for exactly one hour. Does this meet the evacuation trigger for NRC telephone reporting?
Correct answer: Yes; the trigger is one hour or more.
The current federal trigger is evacuation of the general public for one hour or more as a direct result of the hazardous material. Exactly one hour qualifies; notify the NRC as soon as practical and within 12 hours, separately from calling for emergency help.
Source: 49 CFR 171.15(b)(1)(iii); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A hazardous material directly causes an injury requiring admission to a hospital during transportation. Does that meet an NRC telephone-report trigger?
Correct answer: Yes; hospital admission is one of the listed triggers.
An injury requiring admittance to a hospital as a direct result of the hazardous material is a listed trigger. Mere cost estimates are not a substitute for checking the actual criteria.
Source: 49 CFR 171.15(b)(1)(ii); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
After an incident covered by 171.16, what is the ordinary deadline for the detailed hazardous-material incident report?
Correct answer: Within 30 days of discovering the incident.
The person in physical possession at the incident must submit the required DOT Form F 5800.1 within 30 days of discovery. This is separate from any prompt emergency call and NRC telephone notice.
Source: 49 CFR 171.16(a); official eCFR text current through September 17, 2026; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
At pickup, a Division 6.2 package is damaged and appears to be leaking. What should the driver do?
Correct answer: Do not accept it; contact the supervisor about the damage.
The handbook says damaged or leaking infectious-substance packages should not be accepted and the supervisor should be contacted. Avoid contact and leave specialist handling to trained personnel.
Source: Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, May 2026; Section 9; Damaged infectious-substance package; printed and physical PDF page 173; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
