Commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge tests · California DMV
Placards and placard tables
Questions and answers
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When must the appropriate placards be attached to the vehicle?
Before you drive it
Placards go on before the vehicle is driven.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
When are you allowed to move an improperly placarded vehicle?
Only during an emergency, to protect life or property
The only exception is an emergency where moving the vehicle protects life or property.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
Where may the front placard be displayed on a tractor-trailer?
On the front of the tractor or the front of the trailer
Placards appear on both sides and both ends. The front one may be on the front of the tractor or of the trailer.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
How far must a placard be from any other markings?
At least 3 inches
Each placard is kept at least 3 inches away from other markings.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
How must the words or numbers on a placard be positioned?
Level and reading from left to right
The placard is placed so that words or numbers are level and read left to right.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
Which of these would make a placard improperly displayed?
A ladder or tarpaulin partly covering it
Placards must be kept clear of attachments or devices such as ladders, doors, and tarpaulins.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
What kind of background must a placard be affixed to?
A background of contrasting color
A contrasting background keeps the placard easy to see.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
May a placard holder show a slogan such as "Drive Safely"?
No, such slogans are prohibited
The use of "Drive Safely" and other slogans is prohibited.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
Why must placards be kept clean and undamaged?
So the color, format, and message are easily seen
A dirty or damaged placard may hide its color, format, or message.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
Which 3 things do you need to know to decide which placards to use?
The hazard class, the amount shipped, and the total weight of all classes of HazMat on the vehicle
Placards depend on hazard class, the amount of HazMat shipped, and the total weight of all HazMat classes in the vehicle.
Section 9 · 9.3.10 – Placarding ↗ -
How many placard tables are there?
2
There are 2 placard tables, Table 1 and Table 2.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
How much of a Placard Table 1 material must be on board before placards are required?
Any amount
Table 1 materials are placarded whenever any amount is transported.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
For non-bulk packages of Placard Table 2 materials, at what total amount are placards required?
1,001 pounds or more
Except for bulk packaging, Table 2 classes need placards only when the total is 1,001 pounds or more.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
When you total the weight of Table 2 materials, does the weight of the packaging count?
Yes, the amount includes the package
The 1,001 pound threshold includes the weight of the package.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
You have Table 2 products listed on several shipping papers. How do you work out whether placards are needed?
Add the amounts from all the shipping papers
Add together the amounts from all shipping papers for the Table 2 products on board.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
You carry 300 pounds of non-bulk Class 8 corrosives and no other HazMat. Are placards required?
No, the total of Table 2 material is under 1,001 pounds
Corrosives are in Table 2, which needs placards only at 1,001 pounds or more unless the packaging is bulk.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
You carry 50 pounds of Division 1.1 explosives. Are placards required?
Yes, Division 1.1 is a Table 1 material and is placarded in any amount
Division 1.1 is in Placard Table 1, so any amount requires EXPLOSIVES 1.1 placards.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which of these belongs to Placard Table 1 (placard for any amount)?
Division 2.3 poisonous gases
Division 2.3 is in Table 1 and uses the POISON GAS placard. Flammable gases and flammable liquids are in Table 2.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which of these belongs to Placard Table 1 (placard for any amount)?
Division 4.3 dangerous when wet
Of the Class 4 divisions only 4.3 is in Table 1. Divisions 4.1 and 4.2 are in Table 2.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which explosives divisions are in Placard Table 1?
Divisions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3
Divisions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 are placarded in any amount. Divisions 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 are in Table 2.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which Class 7 radioactive packages put a load in Placard Table 1?
Those with the Radioactive Yellow III label only
Table 1 covers Class 7 only for packages bearing the Radioactive Yellow III label.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which Division 6.1 materials are in Placard Table 1?
Those in inhalation hazard zone A and B only
Division 6.1 inhalation hazard zones A and B are placarded in any amount. Other 6.1 material is in Table 2 and uses the POISON placard.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which organic peroxides (Division 5.2) are in Placard Table 1?
Type B, liquid or solid, temperature controlled
Only temperature controlled Type B organic peroxide is in Table 1. Other Division 5.2 material is in Table 2.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which placard name does Placard Table 2 give for Division 6.2 infectious substances?
None
Table 2 lists no placard for Division 6.2. The same is true of ORM-D.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
What does the handbook say about the Class 9 placard?
It is not required for domestic transportation
A note to Table 2 says the Class 9 placard is not required for domestic transportation.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
On which vehicles may a FLAMMABLE placard be used in place of a COMBUSTIBLE placard?
On a cargo tank or portable tank
A note to Table 2 allows FLAMMABLE instead of COMBUSTIBLE on a cargo tank or portable tank.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
When may you use DANGEROUS placards instead of a separate placard for each Table 2 class?
With 1,001 pounds or more of 2 or more Table 2 classes that need different placards
DANGEROUS may stand in when you have 1,001 pounds or more of two or more Table 2 classes requiring different placards, subject to the 2,205 pound limit.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
What amount of one Table 2 hazard class, loaded at one place, means you must use the specific placard for that class and not DANGEROUS?
2,205 pounds or more
If 2,205 pounds or more of one Table 2 class was loaded at any one place, that material needs its own specific placard.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
You load 3,000 pounds of flammable liquid at one dock and 600 pounds of corrosives at another. What placard does the flammable liquid need?
The specific FLAMMABLE placard
More than 2,205 pounds of one Table 2 class loaded at one place must have its specific placard.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Is the DANGEROUS placard ever mandatory?
No, it is an option and you can always placard for the materials
DANGEROUS is an option, not a requirement. Placarding for each material is always allowed.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Does the 1,000 pound exception apply to a material whose shipping paper says INHALATION HAZARD?
No, POISON GAS or POISON INHALATION placards are needed regardless
These materials need POISON GAS or POISON INHALATION placards plus any class placards, and the exception does not apply.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
A material has a secondary hazard of dangerous when wet. What must be displayed?
The DANGEROUS WHEN WET placard in addition to any other required placards
The DANGEROUS WHEN WET placard is added to the other placards, and the 1,000 pound exception does not apply.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Where on a placard is the hazard class or division number displayed?
In the lower corner
Placards for a primary or subsidiary hazard show the class or division number in the lower corner.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
When may a subsidiary hazard placard without the hazard class number be used?
When it is permanently affixed and stays within color specifications
Permanently affixed subsidiary placards without the number are allowed as long as they meet the color specifications.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
May you display placards for HazMat when they are not required?
Yes, as long as the placard identifies the hazard of the material being carried
Voluntary placarding is allowed if the placard matches the hazard of the material on board.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
What is bulk packaging, as described in the placarding rules?
A single container with a capacity greater than 119 gallons
Bulk packaging is one container holding more than 119 gallons.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
A bulk package holds only the residue of a HazMat. Must it and the vehicle be placarded?
Yes, even with only residue
A bulk package and the vehicle carrying it are placarded even when only residue remains.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
On how many sides are bulk packages placarded?
All 4 sides, except certain packages that need only 2 opposite sides or labels
Certain bulk packages need placards only on 2 opposite sides or may display labels. All others are placarded on all 4 sides.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Which placard does Placard Table 2 name for Class 3 flammable liquids?
Flammable
Class 3 uses the FLAMMABLE placard. Division 2.1 uses FLAMMABLE GAS.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗ -
Explosives of Divisions 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 fall under which placard table?
Table 2, placarded at 1,001 pounds or more
The less sensitive explosives divisions are in Table 2.
Section 9 · 9.3.11 – Placard Tables ↗
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