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. Shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing are signs of → Pulmonary agent
2. 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
3. Which of these DOES NOT present a threat to Class 1 materials? → Loss of body functions such as respiration.
4. What do the four-digit numbers on an orange panel or placard identify? → The UN/NA identification number for the specific material
5. What of the following is NOT a signal word printed on a pipeline marker? → Emergency
6. What color is the background of a FLAMMABLE placard? → Red
7. 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
8. When moving dangerous garbage, you must → All of the above
9. What shape are HazMat placards required to be? → Diamond (square-on-point)
10. If there are any spills that go over the RQ, you must notify ______. → DOT and EPA
11. Which hazard class uses a yellow background placard? → Oxidizers and organic peroxides
12. 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
13. The shippers, carriers, and destination's names and EPA registration numbers must appear on → Hazardous waste manifests
14. As soon as you can, record the incident with pictures and videos. → Evidence preservation
15. 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
16. 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
17. The Emergency Response Guidebook has two different categories of potential risks: → Health and fire/explosion
18. similar to motor oil, vapors heavier than air → VX
19. What is the primary purpose of keeping shipping papers accessible during a HazMat emergency? → To allow first responders to identify the materials and take appropriate action
20. This is NOT a fixed tank type. → All of the above
21. The color blue on the NFPA 704 emblem denotes → Health
22. What is the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) used for? → Providing initial action guidance during a HazMat incident
23. What does a leakproofness test (hydraulic pressure test) verify for liquid HazMat packaging? → The package can withstand internal pressure without leaking or deforming
24. The following symbol: What does it mean? → Low temperature or cryogenic hazard
25. Which of the following claims regarding hazardous substance packaging is accurate? → All of the above
26. When is a 'salvage drum' required during hazardous materials transport? → To contain a damaged, defective, or leaking inner package during transport
27. Under DOT regulations, what minimum liquid capacity distinguishes 'bulk packaging' from non-bulk packaging? → 119 gallons
28. What is a 'Hazardous Waste Manifest' required for? → Transporting materials listed as hazardous wastes under EPA regulations
29. What does the term 'forbidden' mean when applied to a hazardous material? → The material may not be transported under any circumstances
30. Which color section of the ERG lists materials by their four-digit ID number? → Yellow pages