CDL Hazmat shipping papers and emergency information practice questions
20 free practice questions from 49 CFR Part 172 Subparts C and G. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
CDL Hazmat shipping papers and emergency information
20 questions across 8 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Who must describe hazardous materials
1. A material that is not a hazardous substance, hazardous waste or marine pollutant is identified by the letter "W" in column 1 of the 172.101 table. It is offered for transportation by highway only. What does 172.200(b) say about Subpart C (shipping papers)?
- A. Subpart C applies, because every material in the 172.101 table must be described on a shipping paper
- B. Subpart C does not apply to it, except when the material is offered or intended for transportation by water
- C. Subpart C applies only if the load is placarded
- D. Subpart C applies, but only the proper shipping name has to be entered
Show answer
Answer: B. Subpart C does not apply to it, except when the material is offered or intended for transportation by water
Subpart C "does not apply to any material, other than a hazardous substance, hazardous waste or marine pollutant, that is" "Identified by the letter “W” in column 1 of the § 172.101 table, except when the material is offered or intended for transportation by water".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.200, Applicability (as of Nov 4, 2026)
2. A shipper offers a limited quantity package for transportation by highway. The material is not a hazardous substance, hazardous waste or marine pollutant. What does 172.200(b) say about Subpart C (shipping papers)?
- A. A full shipping paper is always required for limited quantities
- B. A shipping paper is required only when the package weighs more than 454 kg
- C. Subpart C does not apply to it, because it is not offered for transportation by aircraft or vessel
- D. Only the emergency response telephone number must be written on the package
Show answer
Answer: C. Subpart C does not apply to it, because it is not offered for transportation by aircraft or vessel
Subpart C "does not apply to any material, other than a hazardous substance, hazardous waste or marine pollutant, that is" a "limited quantity package unless the material is offered for transportation by aircraft or vessel."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.200, Applicability (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Preparing and keeping shipping papers
3. A shipper adds information about the material to a shipping paper, beyond the required description. Unless Subpart C otherwise permits or requires, where does 172.201(a)(4) say that additional information must be placed?
- A. After the basic description required by 172.202(a)
- B. Before the identification number
- C. Between the parts of the basic description, wherever it fits
- D. Only on the back of the shipping paper
Show answer
Answer: A. After the basic description required by 172.202(a)
Additional information is allowed "provided the information is not inconsistent with the required description." "Unless otherwise permitted or required by this subpart, additional information must be placed after the basic description required by § 172.202(a)."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.201, Preparation and retention of shipping papers (as of Nov 4, 2026)
4. Under 172.201(e), where must the copy of the shipping paper kept by the person who provides it be accessible?
- A. In the cab of the vehicle that carried the shipment
- B. At the consignee's receiving dock
- C. Only with the emergency response information provider
- D. At or through that person's principal place of business
Show answer
Answer: D. At or through that person's principal place of business
Each person who provides a shipping paper "must retain a copy of the shipping paper required by § 172.200(a), or an electronic image thereof, that is accessible at or through its principal place of business" and must make it available, upon request, to an authorized official of a Federal, State, or local government agency.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.201, Preparation and retention of shipping papers (as of Nov 4, 2026)
5. A motor carrier uses one shipping paper without change for many shipments of a hazardous material with the same shipping name and identification number. What does 172.201(e) allow?
- A. Retaining a single copy of the shipping paper, if the carrier also retains a record of each shipment made
- B. Keeping no copy, because the shipper already keeps one
- C. Retaining a single copy with no other record
- D. Keeping each copy only until the end of the trip
Show answer
Answer: A. Retaining a single copy of the shipping paper, if the carrier also retains a record of each shipment made
Such a motor carrier "may retain a single copy of the shipping paper, instead of a copy for each shipment made, if the carrier also retains a record of each shipment made, to include shipping name, identification number, quantity transported, and date of shipment."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.201, Preparation and retention of shipping papers (as of Nov 4, 2026)
The basic description and its sequence
6. The example basic description in 172.202(b) reads "UN2744, Cyclobutyl chloroformate, 6.1, (8, 3), PG II." What do the numbers (8, 3) show?
- A. The packing groups of the material
- B. The number of packages and the number of shipping paper pages
- C. Subsidiary hazard classes, entered in parentheses immediately following the primary hazard class or division number
- D. The inhalation hazard zone
Show answer
Answer: C. Subsidiary hazard classes, entered in parentheses immediately following the primary hazard class or division number
Under 172.202(a)(3), "Except for combustible liquids, the subsidiary hazard class(es) or subsidiary division number(s) must be entered in parentheses immediately following the primary hazard class or division number." Here 6.1 is the primary division and (8, 3) are the subsidiary classes.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.202, Description of hazardous material on shipping papers (as of Nov 4, 2026)
7. Which materials does 172.202(a)(4) except from showing a packing group in the basic description?
- A. Class 3 materials assigned a packing group in Column (5)
- B. Class 8 materials assigned a packing group in Column (5)
- C. Division 6.1 materials assigned a packing group in Column (5)
- D. Division 5.2 materials
Show answer
Answer: D. Division 5.2 materials
"Class 1 (explosives) materials; self-reactive substances; Division 5.2 materials; and entries that are not assigned a packing group (e.g., Class 7) are excepted from this requirement."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.202, Description of hazardous material on shipping papers (as of Nov 4, 2026)
8. A hazardous material is shipped by highway in one cargo tank. Under the bulk package exception in 172.202(a)(5)(iii), how may the total quantity be shown?
- A. As the net explosive mass
- B. By some indication of the total quantity, for example 1 cargo tank
- C. As the gross mass per package followed by the letter G
- D. No indication of quantity is needed at all
Show answer
Answer: B. By some indication of the total quantity, for example 1 cargo tank
Bulk packages are excepted from the total quantity requirement of 172.202(a)(5), "provided some indication of the total quantity is shown"; the rule's example is 1 cargo tank.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.202, Description of hazardous material on shipping papers (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Additional description entries
9. A material that is poisonous by inhalation is assigned to Class 8. What does 172.203(m) require on its shipping paper?
- A. The inhalation hazard words (Poison-Inhalation Hazard or Toxic-Inhalation Hazard) and the appropriate zone, immediately following the shipping description
- B. No inhalation entry, because 172.203(m) applies only to Division 2.3 and Division 6.1 materials
- C. Only the word HOT immediately before the proper shipping name
- D. Only the zone letter, entered before the identification number
Show answer
Answer: A. The inhalation hazard words (Poison-Inhalation Hazard or Toxic-Inhalation Hazard) and the appropriate zone, immediately following the shipping description
172.203(m) applies "Notwithstanding the hazard class to which a material is assigned": for materials poisonous by inhalation, the inhalation hazard words and the zone, as appropriate, "shall be entered on the shipping paper immediately following the shipping description."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.203, Additional description requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
10. Under 172.203(h), what is entered after the basic description for noncorrosive liquefied petroleum gas in a Specification MC 330 or MC 331 cargo tank?
- A. 0.2 PERCENT WATER
- B. NOT FOR Q and T TANKS
- C. HOT
- D. NONCORROSIVE or NONCOR
Show answer
Answer: D. NONCORROSIVE or NONCOR
"Following the basic description for a hazardous material in a Specification MC 330 or MC 331 cargo tank", noncorrosive liquefied petroleum gas gets NONCORROSIVE or NONCOR; "NOT FOR Q and T TANKS" is for "grades of liquefied petroleum gas other than" noncorrosive, and 0.2 PERCENT WATER is an anhydrous ammonia entry.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.203, Additional description requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Shipper's certification
11. Which shipment does 172.204(b)(1) except from the shipper's certification?
- A. Any hazardous waste hauled in a cargo tank supplied by the carrier
- B. A hazardous material, other than a hazardous waste, offered for transportation by motor vehicle and transported in a cargo tank supplied by the carrier
- C. Any shipment of less than 454 kg
- D. Any shipment hauled by a for-hire motor carrier
Show answer
Answer: B. A hazardous material, other than a hazardous waste, offered for transportation by motor vehicle and transported in a cargo tank supplied by the carrier
"Except for a hazardous waste, no certification is required for a hazardous material offered for transportation by motor vehicle and transported:" "In a cargo tank supplied by the carrier", or by the shipper as a private carrier (with a limit for reshipped or transferred material).
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.204, Shipper's certification (as of Nov 4, 2026)
12. A shipper hauls its own hazardous material (not a hazardous waste) in non-bulk packages by motor vehicle as a private carrier, but the material will be transferred to another carrier to finish the trip. Under 172.204, is the shipper's certification required?
- A. No, because the shipper is hauling as a private carrier
- B. No, because all shipments by motor vehicle are excepted
- C. Yes, because the private carrier exception does not cover material that is to be reshipped or transferred from one carrier to another
- D. Yes, but only if the load requires placards
Show answer
Answer: C. Yes, because the private carrier exception does not cover material that is to be reshipped or transferred from one carrier to another
The exception covers material transported "By the shipper as a private carrier except for a hazardous material that is to be reshipped or transferred from one carrier to another." Without an exception, "each person who offers a hazardous material for transportation shall certify".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.204, Shipper's certification (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Hazardous waste manifest
13. Under 172.205(c), whose dates and handwritten signatures must the original copy of the hazardous waste manifest bear?
- A. The person representing the shipper (generator) when the waste is offered, and the person representing the initial carrier accepting it
- B. Only the designated facility receiving the waste
- C. Only the driver, at the time of delivery
- D. Only an EPA official
Show answer
Answer: A. The person representing the shipper (generator) when the waste is offered, and the person representing the initial carrier accepting it
"The original copy of the manifest must be dated by, and bear the handwritten signature of, the person representing:" the shipper (generator) "at the time it is offered for transportation" and "The initial carrier accepting the waste for transportation."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.205, Hazardous waste manifest (as of Nov 4, 2026)
14. What does 172.205(h) say about the hazardous waste manifest and the shipping paper?
- A. The manifest may never be used as the shipping paper
- B. The manifest may be used as the shipping paper only for rail shipments
- C. The manifest takes the place of the emergency response telephone number
- D. A manifest required by 40 CFR part 262 that contains all of the information required by Subpart C may be used as the shipping paper
Show answer
Answer: D. A manifest required by 40 CFR part 262 that contains all of the information required by Subpart C may be used as the shipping paper
"A hazardous waste manifest required by 40 CFR part 262, containing all of the information required by this subpart, may be used as the shipping paper required by this subpart."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.205, Hazardous waste manifest (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Emergency response information
15. How does 172.602(c)(1) require a carrier transporting a hazardous material by highway to maintain the emergency response information?
- A. Only at the carrier's main office
- B. Packed inside the package with the hazardous material
- C. In the same manner as prescribed for shipping papers, immediately accessible to the driver
- D. Only as an electronic file sent after an incident
Show answer
Answer: C. In the same manner as prescribed for shipping papers, immediately accessible to the driver
Each carrier "shall maintain the information specified in paragraph (a) of this section and § 172.606 of this part in the same manner as prescribed for shipping papers", and it "must be immediately accessible to train crew personnel, drivers of motor vehicles, flight crew members, and bridge personnel on vessels".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.602, Emergency response information (as of Nov 4, 2026)
16. A hazardous material is excepted from the shipping paper requirements of the HMR. What does 172.600(d) say about the emergency response information requirements of Subpart G for that material?
- A. They apply in full, so the information must still ride in the cab
- B. They do not apply to it
- C. They apply only if the vehicle is placarded
- D. They apply only to the carrier, not to the offeror
Show answer
Answer: B. They do not apply to it
172.600(d) states: "The requirements of this subpart do not apply to hazardous material which is excepted from the shipping paper requirements of this subchapter."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.600, Applicability and general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Emergency response telephone number and carrier contact
17. The emergency response telephone number on a shipping paper is that of an agency or organization that accepts responsibility for providing the emergency response information (an ERI provider). Under 172.604(b)(2), what must also be shown on the shipping paper?
- A. The agency's street address
- B. The driver's name and CDL number
- C. The consignee's account number with the agency
- D. The person registered with the ERI provider, identified by name, or contract number or other unique identifier assigned by the ERI provider
Show answer
Answer: D. The person registered with the ERI provider, identified by name, or contract number or other unique identifier assigned by the ERI provider
"The person who is registered with the ERI provider must be identified by name, or contract number or other unique identifier assigned by the ERI provider, on the shipping paper immediately before, after, above, or below the emergency response telephone number", unless it is entered elsewhere in a prominent manner.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.604, Emergency response telephone number (as of Nov 4, 2026)
18. An offeror wants to enter the emergency response telephone number once on the shipping paper, in a prominent and clearly visible manner, instead of immediately after the description. When does 172.604(a)(3)(ii) allow this?
- A. Only if the number applies to each hazardous material on the shipping paper and it is indicated that the number is for emergency response information
- B. Whenever the shipping paper has more than one page
- C. Only for hazardous waste shipments
- D. Whenever the carrier, not the offeror, prepared the shipping paper
Show answer
Answer: A. Only if the number applies to each hazardous material on the shipping paper and it is indicated that the number is for emergency response information
"The offeror may use one of the methods prescribed in this paragraph only if the telephone number applies to each hazardous material entered on the shipping paper, and if it is indicated that the telephone number is for emergency response information".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.604, Emergency response telephone number (as of Nov 4, 2026)
19. A semi-trailer holding hazardous material that needs a shipping paper is separated from its tractor and parked somewhere other than a facility operated by the consignor or consignee or a facility subject to 172.602(c)(2). It is not marked with the identification numbers described in 172.606(c). What must the carrier do under 172.606(b)?
- A. Nothing, because the trailer is no longer attached to motive power
- B. Notify the consignee within 24 hours
- C. One of two options: mark the trailer with the motor carrier's telephone number on the front exterior near the brake hose and electrical connections (or on a label, tag or sign attached there), or have the shipping paper and emergency response information readily available on the trailer
- D. Remove the shipping paper from the trailer
Show answer
Answer: C. One of two options: mark the trailer with the motor carrier's telephone number on the front exterior near the brake hose and electrical connections (or on a label, tag or sign attached there), or have the shipping paper and emergency response information readily available on the trailer
The carrier shall "Mark the transport vehicle with the telephone number of the motor carrier on the front exterior near the brake hose and electrical connections" (or on a label, tag or sign there), or "Have the shipping paper and emergency response information readily available on the transport vehicle."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.606, Carrier information contact (as of Nov 4, 2026)
20. Under 172.606(a), who must instruct the driver of a motor vehicle to contact the carrier in the event of an incident involving the hazardous material?
- A. The shipper (offeror)
- B. Each carrier who transports or accepts for transportation a hazardous material for which a shipping paper is required
- C. The consignee
- D. The emergency response information provider
Show answer
Answer: B. Each carrier who transports or accepts for transportation a hazardous material for which a shipping paper is required
"Each carrier who transports or accepts for transportation a hazardous material for which a shipping paper is required shall instruct the operator of a motor vehicle, train, aircraft, or vessel to contact the carrier (e.g., by telephone or mobile radio) in the event of an incident involving the hazardous material."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 172.606, Carrier information contact (as of Nov 4, 2026)