SD CDL - South Dakota Commercial Drivers License Tank Vehicle Rules Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are driving a tank vehicle with baffled compartments. When making a turn, what type of liquid surge should you still be most concerned about?

Accepted Answer

Side-to-side surge

Answer

Baffles are designed with holes to slow down the forward and backward movement of liquid (longitudinal surge). However, they do not prevent side-to-side (lateral) surge, which can push the vehicle sideways and increase the risk of a rollover, especially in a curve.

Question 2

What is the primary reason that 'smooth bore' or unbaffled tank trucks are used for certain loads, like milk?

Accepted Answer

Sanitation regulations require tanks that can be thoroughly cleaned.

Answer

Unbaffled tanks are used for products like milk because sanitation regulations require tanks that can be completely and easily cleaned. Baffles create nooks and crannies that would be difficult to sanitize, potentially trapping old product.

Question 3

A driver is loading a dense liquid into a large tank. Even if the tank is not filled to its volume capacity, what is the most likely reason the driver must stop loading?

Accepted Answer

The legal weight limit for the vehicle has been reached.

Answer

Dense liquids are very heavy. A tank may be only partially full by volume, but the weight of the liquid can cause the vehicle to reach its maximum legal gross weight limit.

Question 4

The term 'outage' refers to which of the following when loading a liquid tank?

Accepted Answer

The empty space left in a tank to allow for liquid expansion.

Answer

Liquids expand when they get warm. 'Outage' is the empty space intentionally left at the top of a tank to accommodate this expansion, preventing spills and dangerous pressure buildup.

Question 5

You are driving a partially filled, unbaffled tanker and need to come to a stop. What is the greatest danger caused by liquid surge?

Accepted Answer

The surge can push the stopped truck into an intersection.

Answer

When stopping, the liquid surges to the front of the tank. As it sloshes back, the wave can be strong enough to push the entire vehicle forward, potentially moving it into a crosswalk or intersection, especially on a slippery surface.

SD CDL - South Dakota Commercial Drivers License Practice Test

SD CDL - South Dakota Commercial Drivers License Practice Test

SD CDL - South Dakota Commercial Drivers License Tank Vehicle Rules Questions and Answers