FMCSA Hazardous Materials Transportation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal agency's regulations govern the transportation of hazardous materials by highway in the US?
- EPA only
- OSHA only
- DOT/PHMSA with FMCSA enforcement (Correct answer)
- State environmental agencies
Correct answer: DOT/PHMSA with FMCSA enforcement
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) sets HazMat rules, while FMCSA enforces them for highway transport.
Question 2: What placards must be displayed when transporting 1,001 lbs or more of a Division 1.1 explosive?
- FLAMMABLE placards
- EXPLOSIVES 1.1 placards on all four sides (Correct answer)
- DANGEROUS placard only on the rear
- No placard required under 2,000 lbs
Correct answer: EXPLOSIVES 1.1 placards on all four sides
Any amount of Division 1.1 explosives requires EXPLOSIVES 1.1 placards on all four sides of the vehicle.
Question 3: What document must a driver have accessible when transporting hazardous materials?
- Vehicle registration and insurance card
- Shipping papers describing the HazMat (Correct answer)
- A PHMSA permit number
- A state hazmat permit
Correct answer: Shipping papers describing the HazMat
Shipping papers (e.g., a bill of lading) describing the hazardous material must be accessible to the driver at all times during transport.
Question 4: Where must shipping papers be kept while a driver is at the wheel of a HazMat vehicle?
- In the glove compartment
- Within reach of the driver or in a pouch on the driver's door (Correct answer)
- In the trailer with the cargo
- Faxed to dispatch — no hard copy needed
Correct answer: Within reach of the driver or in a pouch on the driver's door
Shipping papers must be within the driver's reach or in a clearly visible pouch on the driver's door while in motion.
Question 5: What does the HazMat hazard class number '3' indicate on a placard?
- Flammable gas
- Flammable liquid (Correct answer)
- Radioactive material
- Oxidizer
Correct answer: Flammable liquid
Class 3 hazardous materials are flammable liquids, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and ethanol.
Question 6: Which of the following HazMat classes requires a 'Poison' or 'Toxic' placard?
- Class 2.3 (Poisonous Gas) (Correct answer)
- Class 3 (Flammable Liquid)
- Class 8 (Corrosive)
- Class 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Correct answer: Class 2.3 (Poisonous Gas)
Class 2.3 (Poisonous/Toxic Gas) requires a POISON GAS placard whenever transported in any quantity.
FMCSA Hazardous Materials Transportation 1
Which federal agency's regulations govern the transportation of hazardous materials by highway in the US?