DOT Hazmat Employee Training Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   Under 49 CFR 172.702, who must make sure each hazmat employee is trained?

   • AThe hazmat employer
   • BPHMSA inspectors
   • CThe customer receiving the shipment
   • DThe local fire department
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The hazmat employer

   Section 172.702 places the duty on the hazmat employer to ensure each of its hazmat employees is trained, even if someone else delivers the training.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Who may provide hazmat training?

   • AOnly the truck manufacturer
   • BOnly a state university
   • CThe hazmat employer or other public or private sources
   • DOnly instructors who are pre-approved and certified in advance by PHMSA
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   Answer: C. The hazmat employer or other public or private sources

   The rule says training may be provided by the hazmat employer or by other public or private sources, but the employer stays responsible.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What must the employer do after training each hazmat employee?

   • ASend them to a PHMSA-approved test center for a written federal exam
   • BAsk the employee to grade themselves
   • CNothing, training alone is enough
   • DTest them by appropriate means on the training subjects
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   Answer: D. Test them by appropriate means on the training subjects

   Section 172.702 requires the hazmat employer to ensure each hazmat employee is tested by appropriate means on the subjects in section 172.704.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What kinds of testing does PHMSA say an employer may use?

   • AOnly a PHMSA computer test
   • BOnly a road test in a loaded truck
   • COnly a written test
   • DWritten, verbal, performance-based, or a mix
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   Answer: D. Written, verbal, performance-based, or a mix

   PHMSA's training overview says testing can be performance-based, written, verbal or a combination, chosen by the employer.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Is there a federal DOT hazmat training exam or card?

   • AYes, each state DMV gives one
   • BNo, the employer trains, tests and certifies its own employees
   • CYes, but only for drivers with a CDL
   • DYes, PHMSA gives a national exam and mails a wallet card to each person who passes
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No, the employer trains, tests and certifies its own employees

   PHMSA describes employer training, testing and certification but no federal test or card, and DOT does not pre-approve most trainers or programs.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which is one of the required parts of hazmat training under 172.704?

   • AForklift operator certification
   • BGeneral awareness and familiarization training
   • CFirst aid and CPR certification
   • DDefensive driving training
   Show answer

   Answer: B. General awareness and familiarization training

   Section 172.704 lists general awareness and familiarization, function-specific, safety, security awareness and, when needed, in-depth security training.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does function-specific training cover?

   • AHow to fill out OSHA injury logs
   • BOnly the security plan for the facility
   • CThe hazmat rules that apply to the tasks the employee actually does
   • DGeneral hazard class recognition only
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   Answer: C. The hazmat rules that apply to the tasks the employee actually does

   Function-specific training teaches the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations that apply to the functions each employee performs.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does safety training under 172.704 include?

   • AFire extinguisher use and building exits only
   • BEmergency response information, protection from hazards, and how to avoid accidents
   • CHow to report injuries to OSHA
   • DHow to lift heavy drums safely
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Emergency response information, protection from hazards, and how to avoid accidents

   Safety training covers emergency response information, measures to protect employees from workplace hazards, and methods to avoid accidents.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What is security awareness training about?

   • AHow to choose strong computer passwords
   • BHow to hire and supervise security guards
   • CSecurity risks in hazmat transport and how to recognize and respond to possible threats
   • DHow to lock the office and set the building alarm
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   Answer: C. Security risks in hazmat transport and how to recognize and respond to possible threats

   Every hazmat employee needs security awareness training on transport security risks and how to recognize and respond to possible security threats.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which hazmat employees need in-depth security training?

    • AThose covered by a security plan under Subpart I
    • BOnly managers and drivers who carry placarded loads
    • CEvery hazmat employee, at hire
    • DOnly workers at ports and airports
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    Answer: A. Those covered by a security plan under Subpart I

    Section 172.704 requires in-depth security training only for hazmat employees of employers that must have a security plan under Subpart I.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A new hazmat employee starts work before finishing training. What is allowed?

    • AThey may do any task alone after reading the rules
    • BThey may sign shipping papers if a manager approves
    • CThey may do hazmat tasks under the direct supervision of a properly trained employee
    • DThey may only sweep and clean the warehouse
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    Answer: C. They may do hazmat tasks under the direct supervision of a properly trained employee

    The rule lets new employees perform hazmat functions before training only under the direct supervision of a properly trained and knowledgeable hazmat employee.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How soon must a new hazmat employee finish initial training?

    • AWithin 90 days after employment
    • BWithin 7 days after employment
    • CWithin 3 years
    • DWithin 1 year after they are hired
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    Answer: A. Within 90 days after employment

    Section 172.704 says training must be completed within 90 days after employment or after a change in job function.

13. Question 13 of 25

    How often must hazmat employees receive recurrent training?

    • AAt least once every three years
    • BOnly once in a career
    • CEvery year
    • DOnce every 10 years
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    Answer: A. At least once every three years

    Section 172.704 requires each hazmat employee to receive the required training at least once every three years.

14. Question 14 of 25

    From what date is the 3-year recurrent training period counted?

    • AFrom the employee's birthday
    • BFrom the date of the most recent training
    • CFrom January 1 each year
    • DFrom the date the employee was first hired
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    Answer: B. From the date of the most recent training

    PHMSA says retraining is required at least once every three years, counted from the date of the employee's most recent training.

15. Question 15 of 25

    An employee already had OSHA hazard communication training. Does it count toward DOT hazmat training?

    • AOnly if an OSHA-authorized trainer gave it within the last 3 years
    • BNo, it can never count
    • COnly for the parts that cover the required DOT topics
    • DYes, it replaces all DOT training
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    Answer: C. Only for the parts that cover the required DOT topics

    Training for OSHA or EPA rules can count only to the extent it covers the components required by 172.704; any gaps need more training.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How many years of training must the employer's records cover?

    • AThe preceding three years
    • BOnly the first day
    • CThe preceding one year
    • DThe employee's entire time with the company
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    Answer: A. The preceding three years

    The hazmat employer must create and keep a record of current training for each hazmat employee covering the preceding three years.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How long must training records be kept after a hazmat employee leaves?

    • A90 days
    • BThey may be thrown away at once
    • C5 years
    • D1 day
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 90 days

    Records must be kept while the person works as a hazmat employee and for 90 days after they leave that employer.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which item must be in each hazmat training record?

    • AA certification that the employee has been trained and tested
    • BThe employee's home phone number
    • CA copy of the employee's medical card
    • DThe employee's CDL number
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A certification that the employee has been trained and tested

    The record must include the employee's name, latest training date, the materials, the trainer's name and address, and a certification of training and testing.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Who certifies that a hazmat employee has been trained and tested?

    • AThe state DMV, on the CDL
    • BThe employee, by signing a form
    • CA PHMSA inspector after reviewing the employee's test results
    • DThe hazmat employer, or an outside source it designates
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    Answer: D. The hazmat employer, or an outside source it designates

    PHMSA says the employer certifies the training and testing, although it may designate an outside source to certify on its behalf.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which person is a hazmat employee?

    • AA receptionist who never handles shipments or papers
    • BA worker who loads, unloads or prepares hazardous materials for shipment
    • CA customer buying gasoline at a pump
    • DA salesperson who takes orders by phone
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A worker who loads, unloads or prepares hazardous materials for shipment

    PHMSA lists people who load, unload or handle hazmat, prepare it for shipment, or drive vehicles carrying it as hazmat employees.

21. Question 21 of 25

    An owner-operator truck driver is self-employed. Do the hazmat training rules apply?

    • AOnly if they haul Table 1 materials
    • BYes, self-employed people can be both hazmat employer and hazmat employee
    • COnly if they own more than 10 trucks
    • DNo, only companies with employees are covered
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    Answer: B. Yes, self-employed people can be both hazmat employer and hazmat employee

    PHMSA says hazmat employers include self-employed persons such as owner-operators, who must train themselves and keep records.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A driver has a CDL with a hazmat endorsement. Does that cover all required hazmat training?

    • AYes, it replaces security training
    • BNo, the employer must decide what other training is needed
    • CYes, it lasts for life
    • DYes, it covers every hazmat task, including loading and securing cargo
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    Answer: B. No, the employer must decide what other training is needed

    PHMSA notes that a CDL hazmat or tank endorsement does not automatically cover every function, so employers must check what more training is needed.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A worker trained by a previous employer joins your company. Can that training count?

    • ANo, each new employer must retrain every worker from the start
    • BOnly if the old employer was in the same state
    • CYes, if a current training record is obtained
    • DOnly if it is more than 5 years old
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    Answer: C. Yes, if a current training record is obtained

    PHMSA says training from a previous employer or source can count toward the requirements if a current record of that training is obtained.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which hazard class is "Explosives"?

    • AClass 3
    • BClass 8
    • CClass 1
    • DClass 5
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Class 1

    Section 173.2 lists explosives as Class 1, with Divisions 1.1 through 1.6 based on the type of explosive hazard.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does Division 1.1 mean?

    • ACorrosive material
    • BExplosives with a mass explosion hazard
    • CExplosives with no significant blast hazard
    • DFlammable gas
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Explosives with a mass explosion hazard

    Division 1.1 is explosives with a mass explosion hazard, the most severe of the explosive divisions in section 173.2.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: No federal exam. Your hazmat employer must test you by appropriate means and certify your training; any pass mark is set by the employer.