DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 49 CFR, which document must accompany a shipment of hazardous materials at all times during transport?
- Bill of lading with hazmat shipping paper (Correct answer)
- Driver's commercial license only
- Vehicle registration and insurance card
- Carrier safety rating certificate
Correct answer: Bill of lading with hazmat shipping paper
Hazmat shipping papers (e.g., bill of lading) must accompany all hazardous materials shipments and be accessible to the driver at all times per 49 CFR 172.600.
Question 2: What is the minimum distance a placard must be visible from when placed on a transport vehicle?
- 25 feet
- 50 feet
- 100 feet (Correct answer)
- 150 feet
Correct answer: 100 feet
DOT regulations require hazmat placards to be legible and visible from at least 100 feet under normal daylight conditions.
Question 3: A package of radioactive material bears a 'Radioactive II' label. What does the Roman numeral indicate?
- The quantity in grams
- The transport index category (Correct answer)
- The number of packages in the shipment
- The hazard division number
Correct answer: The transport index category
The Roman numeral on radioactive labels (I, II, or III) denotes the transport index category, which reflects the radiation level at the package surface.
Question 4: Which of the following is classified as a Division 1.1 explosive?
- Black powder (Correct answer)
- Safety fuses
- Model rocket motors
- Toy caps
Correct answer: Black powder
Black powder is classified as a Division 1.1 (mass explosion hazard) explosive under 49 CFR 173.
Question 5: During a DOT inspection, a cargo tank is found without a required MC specification plate. What is the correct action?
- Allow transport with a written waiver from the carrier
- Place the vehicle out of service immediately (Correct answer)
- Issue a warning and allow 30 days for correction
- Require the driver to obtain a permit from the state
Correct answer: Place the vehicle out of service immediately
A cargo tank missing its required specification plate is non-compliant and must be placed out of service until the violation is corrected.
Question 6: Which hazard class requires 'DANGEROUS' placards when two or more categories are combined in a single vehicle and the aggregate quantity exceeds 1,000 kg?
- Class 3 and Class 8 only
- Any combination of non-bulk packages meeting the threshold (Correct answer)
- Class 2 gases only
- Class 6 poisons only
Correct answer: Any combination of non-bulk packages meeting the threshold
The 'DANGEROUS' placard may be used for mixed loads of non-bulk packages from two or more hazard classes when the aggregate weight exceeds 1,000 kg per 49 CFR 172.504(b).
Question 7: What information is NOT required on a hazmat shipping paper?
- Proper shipping name
- Hazard class or division
- Driver's license number (Correct answer)
- Total quantity of hazardous material
Correct answer: Driver's license number
The driver's license number is not a required element on hazmat shipping papers; required entries include proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, packing group, and quantity.
DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation 2
Under 49 CFR, which document must accompany a shipment of hazardous materials at all times during transport?