CDL Tank Vehicles (Tanker) Practice Test

Updated October 27, 2026

1. What is liquid surge?
   A.A pump failureB.Movement of liquid in waves inside a partly filled tankC.A leak in the tankD.High pressure in the tires
2. What do baffles in a tank do?
   A.Slow front-to-back surgeB.Stop side-to-side surgeC.Keep the liquid coldD.Measure the liquid level
3. Why are smooth bore tanks more dangerous when starting and stopping?
   A.They are heavierB.They have no baffles, so front-to-back surge is strongC.They have more compartmentsD.They can't be filled fully
4. Why must you leave outage in a tank?
   A.To make the tank lighterB.For the pump to workC.So the liquid has room to expand as it warmsD.To reduce surge to zero
5. How fast should a tanker take a curve?
   A.At the posted speed limitB.Faster than a regular truck, to stay stableC.At highway speed, if the tank is fullD.Well below the posted speed, because of the high center of gravity
6. Under federal rules (49 CFR 383.5), a tank vehicle carries liquid or gas in tanks with an individual capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate capacity of at least:
   A.500 gallonsB.750 gallonsC.1,000 gallonsD.5,000 gallons
7. Why does a tanker have a high center of gravity?
   A.Because the tires are smallB.Because much of the load sits high off the roadC.Because tankers carry no loadD.Because the engine is in the rear
8. How does a bulkhead differ from a baffle in a tank?
   A.They're the same thingB.Baffles divide the tank into fully sealed compartmentsC.Bulkheads divide the tank into separate compartments; baffles have openings that let liquid flow throughD.Bulkheads are found only in empty tanks
9. When loading a tank with bulkheads, what must you watch?
   A.The paint colorB.The tank's temperature onlyC.Nothing; bulkheads balance any loadD.Weight distribution, so axles aren't overloaded
10. Why might a tank be only partly filled with a very dense liquid?
    A.Because a full load of a heavy liquid could exceed legal weight limitsB.To make it easier to cleanC.To increase surgeD.To save fuel
11. In a partly filled tank, liquid surge is greatest when:
    A.Driving at a steady speed on a straight roadB.Starting, stopping or brakingC.ParkedD.The tank is completely full
12. Which is a safe practice when driving a tanker on a curve?
    A.Take the curve at the posted speed limitB.Brake hard in the middle of the curveC.Slow down before the curve, well below the posted speed if neededD.Speed up through the curve
13. What happens if a tanker driver brakes hard and then releases in a partly filled smooth bore tank?
    A.Nothing changesB.The tank seals itselfC.The baffles stop all movementD.The liquid surge can push the truck forward, especially on slippery roads
14. Why should a tanker driver keep extra following distance?
    A.Liquid surge and the high center of gravity make stopping and maneuvering harderB.Tankers can stop faster than carsC.Tankers are lighter than other trucksD.Following distance doesn't matter for tankers
15. When driving a tanker, which skid is especially dangerous?
    A.A skid from slow, gentle brakingB.A skid that happens while the liquid is surging, because surge can make it worseC.A skid on dry pavement at low speedD.A skid in a parking lot