HAZMAT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield HAZMAT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Who is responsible for properly classifying, packaging, and labeling hazardous materials before shipment? → The shipper who prepares the material for transport
2. Shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing are signs of → Pulmonary agent
3. If you are first on the scene of a HazMat accident that you did not cause, what is your responsibility? → Stop, keep others away, call 911, and stay upwind
4. What is the significance of a '1' shown in the lower corner of a placard? → The material is in Class 1 — Explosives
5. Which of the following is an example of a Division 6.1 material? → Arsenic trioxide
6. Which of these DOES NOT present a threat to Class 1 materials? → Loss of body functions such as respiration.
7. What do the four-digit numbers on an orange panel or placard identify? → The UN/NA identification number for the specific material
8. What of the following is NOT a signal word printed on a pipeline marker? → Emergency
9. What color is the background of a FLAMMABLE placard? → Red
10. Under the HMR, what action must a driver take before pulling over at a rest stop with a placarded vehicle? → Check that the load is secure and no leaks are present
11. Which statement about loading oxygen and flammable gas in the same vehicle is correct? → They require a minimum separation distance or approved barrier between them
12. Which of the following is NOT a required element on a hazardous materials shipping paper? → Driver's CDL number
13. When moving dangerous garbage, you must → All of the above
14. An 'X' in the RQ column of a shipping paper means: → A Reportable Quantity of the material is present
15. What does hazard class 3 represent in the DOT hazardous materials classification system? → Flammable and combustible liquids
16. What shape are HazMat placards required to be? → Diamond (square-on-point)
17. If there are any spills that go over the RQ, you must notify ______. → DOT and EPA
18. Which hazard class uses a yellow background placard? → Oxidizers and organic peroxides
19. Hazardous material packages must bear diamond-shaped warning labels. If a label can't fit on the package → The label must be put on a tag that is securely attached to the package
20. The shippers, carriers, and destination's names and EPA registration numbers must appear on → Hazardous waste manifests
21. A driver must stop before crossing a railroad grade crossing when transporting which type of cargo? → Chlorine, explosives, or any quantity of a Division 2.3 gas
22. As soon as you can, record the incident with pictures and videos. → Evidence preservation
23. Which of the following materials is classified as a Division 2.1 hazard? → Flammable gas
24. What should a driver do if a small amount of HazMat leaks from a package during transport? → Stop safely, do not touch the material, and call for assistance
25. When transporting hazmat, how far from the nearest rail must you stop at a railroad crossing? → 15 to 50 feet
26. What is the significance of an 'RQ' marking before a material's proper shipping name on a bill of lading? → A reportable quantity is present, triggering mandatory spill notification
27. The Emergency Response Guidebook has two different categories of potential risks: → Health and fire/explosion
28. Which federal agency primarily regulates the transportation of hazardous materials on US highways? → PHMSA
29. similar to motor oil, vapors heavier than air → VX
30. Which of the following is a Class 8 hazardous material? → Sulfuric acid