Mississippi CDL HazMat Endorsement Test cheat sheet

HazMat endorsement (H) is required to drive any vehicle carrying a placarded quantity of hazardous materials; a CDL with H is required to operate a cargo tank, and N is required for tank vehicles.

Hazardous material is defined as a substance or material the Secretary of Transportation determines capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce (49 CFR 171.8).

The Hazardous Materials Regulations are found in 49 CFR Parts 171-180: Part 171 general, 172 communications, 173 shippers, 177 highway, 178 packagings, 180 continuing packaging qualification.

A motor carrier may not require or permit a driver to operate a CMV while the driver's ability is impaired, and a driver may not operate a placarded vehicle within 4 hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage.

Shippers are responsible for classification, packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping papers; carriers are responsible for vehicle condition, loading, placarding, and en route operation.

HazMat employees must receive general awareness, function-specific, safety, and security awareness training, with recurrent training at least every 3 years.

The hazardous materials table in 49 CFR 172.101 lists each material's proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, packing group, label codes, special provisions, packaging authorizations, and quantity limits.

Common placarded-quantity thresholds: 1,001 lb aggregate gross weight for Table 1 materials, and 1,001 lb for Table 2; some materials require placards at any quantity.

Shipping papers must include the basic description: proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, and packing group (when assigned), plus total quantity and number of packages.

Emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper must be monitored at all times during transport and must be reachable by a person who has knowledge of the material and response information.

Hazard class labels are 4-inch squares (some exceptions); placards are 10 3/4-inch squares (with limited exceptions on smaller vehicles).

Placards are required for Table 1 materials in any quantity, and for Table 2 materials when the aggregate gross weight is 1,001 lb or more.

The DANGEROUS placard may be used for materials in Table 2 when two or more categories are present and the aggregate weight is 1,001 lb or more.

Shippers must provide emergency response information with shipping papers; carriers must keep it with shipping papers and make it available to emergency responders.

For empty packagings that previously contained hazardous materials, the shipping paper may say 'Residue: last contained' followed by the proper shipping name and hazard class.

Markings must be durable, legible, in English, and placed on the package; the UN/NA identification number must be displayed on the vehicle for bulk packages and on portable tanks.

Pre-trip inspection of a placarded vehicle must include checking tires, brakes, coupling devices, lights, and that the vehicle has no leaks, loose closures, or damaged packaging.

Cargo must be loaded so packages are secure against movement; packages must not be loaded on top of or next to incompatible materials without segregation.

Cyanides and acids must not be loaded together; oxidizing materials must be separated from flammables; consult the segregation table in 49 CFR 177.848.

Cargo tanks must be attended at all times unless the vehicle is secured and the parking area is safe; the driver must remain within 100 feet of the vehicle during loading and unloading.

A cargo tank may not be filled beyond its marked capacity; outage (vapor space) must be maintained to allow for expansion.

When loading or unloading, the engine must be shut off, brakes set, and wheels chocked; smoking and open flames are prohibited within 25 feet of a placarded vehicle.

Cargo must be secured with tiedowns meeting the working load limits; the aggregate working load limit must be at least 50% of the cargo weight for highway transport.

Packages must be loaded so that labels and markings are visible and the package is not damaged by other cargo, doors, or the vehicle itself.

A placarded vehicle must stop before every railroad-highway grade crossing, look both ways, and proceed only when safe; the stop must be made within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.

A driver may not fuel a placarded vehicle with the engine running; the driver must shut off the engine and may not smoke within 25 feet.

Placarded vehicles may not be parked within 5 feet of a traveled portion of a highway; if the vehicle must be parked on a shoulder, warning devices must be displayed.

A driver may not leave a placarded vehicle unattended unless the vehicle is secured against movement and the parking area is safe; in some cases the driver must remain within 100 feet.

Tunnel restrictions apply to placarded vehicles carrying certain hazardous materials; the driver must obey posted signs and may not enter a restricted tunnel.

Routes may be restricted by state or local authorities; drivers must follow designated hazmat routes and posted restrictions.

When driving in hazardous conditions, the driver must reduce speed and increase following distance; placarded vehicles are subject to the same basic speed law as other CMVs.

A driver must not transport hazardous materials in a vehicle with a passenger or unauthorized person on board, except as permitted by regulation.

A hazardous materials incident must be reported immediately to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) when it involves a fatality, injury requiring hospitalization, evacuation, or specified property/environmental damage.

The carrier must also notify the shipper and must submit a written report on DOT Form 5800.1 within 30 days of the incident.

Emergency response information must be carried with the shipping papers and must include the nature of the hazard, protective measures, and first aid.

In a spill, the driver should keep people away, secure the scene, and call for help; the driver should not attempt to clean up a large spill without proper training and equipment.

Security awareness includes recognizing suspicious behavior, securing the vehicle and cargo, and reporting suspicious activity to the carrier and appropriate authorities.

A security plan is required for certain quantities of hazardous materials; the plan must address personnel security, unauthorized access, and en route security.

The driver must not disclose information about hazardous cargo to unauthorized persons and must follow the carrier's security procedures.

Emergency response guides (ERG) provide initial isolation and protective action distances; the driver should use the ERG and shipping papers to identify the material.

Class 1 Explosives: Division 1.1 mass explosion hazard, 1.2 projection hazard, 1.3 fire and minor blast/projection, 1.4 minor explosion, 1.5 very insensitive, 1.6 extremely insensitive.

Class 2 Gases: Division 2.1 flammable gas, 2.2 nonflammable/non-toxic gas, 2.3 toxic gas (poison gas); Division 2.3 materials are toxic-by-inhalation.

Class 3 Flammable and Combustible Liquids: flash point not more than 60 degrees C (140 degrees F); packing groups I, II, III based on flash point and boiling point.

Class 4 Flammable Solids: Division 4.1 flammable solid, 4.2 spontaneously combustible, 4.3 dangerous when wet.

Class 5 Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides: Division 5.1 oxidizer, 5.2 organic peroxide; these can cause or enhance combustion.

Class 6 Toxic and Infectious Substances: Division 6.1 toxic (poison), 6.2 infectious substance; Class 7 Radioactive; Class 8 Corrosive; Class 9 Miscellaneous.

Class 8 Corrosives include materials that cause full-thickness destruction of skin or corrode steel or aluminum; packing groups reflect degree of hazard.

Class 9 Miscellaneous includes materials that present a hazard during transport but do not fit another class, such as lithium batteries and dry ice.

A cargo tank is a bulk packaging attached to a motor vehicle; it must be marked with the specification, capacity, and material of construction.

Portable tanks are bulk packagings that are not permanently attached to the vehicle and must meet UN or DOT specification requirements.

Division 2.3 toxic-by-inhalation (TIH) materials and Division 6.1 TIH materials require special handling, routing, and attendance; some require a written route plan.

TIH materials in cargo tanks may be subject to additional restrictions, including attendance requirements and prohibition of parking in populated areas.

Bulk packages must be marked with the UN/NA identification number on each side and each end; the identification number must also be displayed on the vehicle.

Cargo tanks must be inspected and tested according to the specification; the driver must check for leaks, damaged valves, and secure closures before loading.

A cargo tank may not be loaded with a material it is not designed to carry; the specification plate identifies authorized materials.

For Division 2.3 and 6.1 TIH materials, the driver must follow the carrier's route plan and may not deviate except for emergency or rest.

Placarded vehicles must stop at railroad-highway grade crossings, including those with flashing lights or gates, unless the crossing is exempted by sign or the vehicle is not required to stop.

The stop must be made within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail; the driver must look and listen before proceeding.

Tunnel restrictions may prohibit placarded vehicles carrying certain materials; drivers must obey posted signs and may not enter a restricted tunnel.

Bridge restrictions may limit weight or hazardous materials; drivers must obey posted weight limits and hazmat restrictions.

State and local authorities may designate hazmat routes and may require permits; drivers must follow the designated route.

A driver must not deviate from a designated hazmat route except for emergency, rest, or to reach a terminal or destination.

When approaching a railroad crossing, the driver must not shift gears while crossing the tracks; the vehicle should be driven across without stopping.

If the vehicle stalls on a crossing, the driver must evacuate the vehicle and warn others; the driver should move away from the vehicle and call for help.

To obtain an H endorsement, the applicant must hold a CDL, pass the HazMat knowledge test, and successfully complete a TSA security threat assessment.

The TSA security threat assessment includes fingerprint-based criminal history records checks and checks of terrorism-related databases.

Disqualifying criminal offenses include terrorism, murder, kidnapping, arson, and certain firearms or explosives offenses; a felony conviction may disqualify.

The applicant must provide proof of legal status and must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or have a valid work authorization.

The H endorsement must be renewed with the CDL; the TSA security threat assessment must be renewed at least every 5 years.

A driver may be disqualified for a hazardous materials violation, including driving a placarded vehicle while under the influence or failing to stop at a railroad crossing.

The applicant must submit to fingerprinting and pay the required fee; the assessment may take several weeks.

A driver with a suspended or revoked CDL is not eligible for an H endorsement until the CDL is reinstated.