Commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge tests · California DMV
Shipping papers and package markings
Questions and answers
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A HazMat shipping paper has more than 1 page. What must the first page show?
The total number of pages, for example "Page 1 of 4"
Pages are numbered when there is more than one, and the first page tells the total number of pages.
Section 9 · 9.3.4 – Shipping Paper ↗ -
Which of these must a HazMat shipping paper include?
A shipper’s certification, signed by the shipper
The paper includes page numbers if needed, a proper shipping description for each HazMat, and a signed shipper’s certification.
Section 9 · 9.3.4 – Shipping Paper ↗ -
A shipping paper lists both hazardous and nonhazardous products. Which is an accepted way to show the HazMat?
Enter the HazMat first
The HazMat must be entered first, highlighted in a contrasting color, or marked with an X in the HM column.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
On a mixed shipping paper, what does an "X" in the column titled "HM" mean?
The entry on that line is a hazardous material
An X placed before the shipping description in the HM column identifies the HazMat.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
What may be written in the "HM" column instead of an "X"?
The letters "RQ", if a reportable quantity needs to be identified
RQ may replace the X when a reportable quantity must be identified.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
In what order does the basic description of a HazMat appear?
ID number, proper shipping name, hazard class or division, packing group
The order is ID number, proper shipping name, hazard class or division, and packing group if there is one.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Which item comes first in the basic description on a shipping paper?
The ID number
The basic description starts with the ID number, followed by the proper shipping name.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
How is the packing group written on a shipping paper?
In Roman numerals, which may be preceded by "PG"
The packing group is shown in Roman numerals and may have PG in front of it.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
May the ID number, shipping name, and hazard class be abbreviated on a shipping paper?
No, unless HMR specifically authorizes it
These three items may not be abbreviated unless the regulations specifically allow it.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Which parts of a shipping description may be abbreviated?
The packaging type and the unit of measurement
Only the packaging type and the unit of measurement may be shortened, as in "10 ctns."
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Besides the basic description, which of these must the description show?
The total quantity and unit of measure
The description also shows total quantity and unit of measure, and the number and type of packages.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
The letters "RQ" appear in a description, but the proper shipping name does not name the hazardous substance. What must be added?
The name of the hazardous substance
When RQ appears, the name of the hazardous substance must be shown if it is not already in the shipping name.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
A material has the letter "G" in Column 1 of the Hazardous Materials Table. What must its shipping description include?
The technical name of the HazMat
Generic entries must also show the technical name.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Who is responsible for the emergency response telephone number on a shipping paper?
The shipper
Providing the emergency response telephone number is the shipper’s responsibility.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
What is the emergency response telephone number used for?
Emergency responders use it to get information about HazMat involved in a spill or fire
Responders can call it for information about any HazMat involved in a spill or fire.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
The emergency response telephone number belongs to an outside agency that provides the information. What must the shipping paper also show?
The person registered with that provider, by name, contract number, or other unique identifier
The person registered with the emergency response information provider must be identified on the shipping paper.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Who must provide emergency response information to the motor carrier for each HazMat shipped?
The shipper
Shippers must give the carrier emergency response information for every HazMat in the shipment.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Which statement about emergency response information is correct?
It must be usable away from the motor vehicle
The information must be usable away from the vehicle and explain how to handle incidents safely.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Which of these is NOT part of the minimum emergency response information?
The retail price of the material
The minimum covers the description and technical name, health hazards, fire or explosion risks, precautions, fire and spill handling, and first aid.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
In what form may emergency response information be carried?
On the shipping paper, another document, or a guidance book such as the ERG
It can be on the shipping paper, on another document with the basic description and technical name, or in a guidance book such as the Emergency Response Guidebook.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
How may motor carriers help shippers with emergency response information?
By keeping an ERG on each vehicle carrying HazMat
Carriers may assist by keeping an Emergency Response Guidebook on each vehicle that carries HazMat.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
An authority is investigating a HazMat incident. What must the driver provide?
The emergency response information
The driver must give the emergency response information to any federal, state, or local authority responding to or investigating the incident.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
What word must the shipper of hazardous waste put before the proper shipping name?
WASTE
The word WASTE goes before the proper shipping name, as in "Waste Acetone".
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
May a nonhazardous material be described on a shipping paper with a hazard class or ID number?
No
A material that is not hazardous may not be described using a hazard class or an ID number.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
How long must a shipper keep a copy of a shipping paper for ordinary HazMat?
2 years
Shippers keep a copy or an electronic image for 2 years after the initial carrier accepts the material.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
How long must a shipper keep a copy of a shipping paper for hazardous waste?
3 years
For hazardous waste the shipper keeps the copy for 3 years.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
A shipper only provides a carrier service and is not the originator of the shipment. How long must the carrier keep a copy of the shipping paper?
1 year
In that case the carrier must keep a copy or electronic image for 1 year.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
From what moment is the shipper’s record-keeping period for shipping papers counted?
From when the material is accepted by the initial carrier
The period runs from the acceptance of the material by the initial carrier.
Section 9 · 9.3.5 – Item Description ↗ -
Where does the signed shipper’s certification appear?
On the original shipping paper
The shipper certifies that the package was prepared according to the rules, and the signed certification is on the original shipping paper.
Section 9 · 9.3.6 – Shipper’s Certification ↗ -
In which case is a shipper’s certification NOT required?
A private carrier is transporting its own product
The only exceptions are a private carrier hauling its own product and a package provided by the carrier, such as a cargo tank.
Section 9 · 9.3.6 – Shipper’s Certification ↗ -
A package comes with a shipper’s certification. When may you NOT simply accept that it is properly packaged?
When the package is clearly unsafe or does not comply with HMR
You may rely on the certification unless the package is clearly unsafe or does not comply with the regulations.
Section 9 · 9.3.6 – Shipper’s Certification ↗ -
Your carrier has stricter rules than the regulations for accepting HazMat. Which rules do you follow when accepting shipments?
Your employer’s rules
Some carriers have additional rules. Follow your employer’s rules when accepting shipments.
Section 9 · 9.3.6 – Shipper’s Certification ↗ -
Where do shippers print the required package markings?
Directly on the package, on an attached label, or on a tag
Markings are printed on the package itself, an attached label, or a tag.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
How does the name of the HazMat marked on a package relate to the shipping paper?
It is the same name as the one on the shipping paper
The name on the package matches the name on the shipping paper.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
When marking is required, which of these does the shipper put on the package?
The name and address of the shipper or consignee
The package shows the shipper’s or consignee’s name and address, the shipping name and ID number, and the required labels.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
You are not familiar with a material you are asked to haul. What does the handbook suggest?
Ask the shipper to contact your office
Compare the paper with the markings and labels, and if the material is unfamiliar ask the shipper to contact your office.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
Which of these words may a shipper be required to put on a package?
HOT
If the rules require it, the package shows RQ, MARINE POLLUTANT, BIOHAZARD, HOT, or INHALATION-HAZARD.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
What extra marking do packages with liquid containers inside have?
Orientation markings with arrows pointing in the correct upright direction
Arrows show which way is up for packages that hold liquid containers.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
A package needs more than 1 label. How must the labels be placed?
Close together, near the proper shipping name
Multiple labels go close together and near the proper shipping name.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
What do the labels on a package always reflect?
The hazard class of the product
Labels always match the hazard class of the product.
Section 9 · 9.3.7 – Package Markings and Labels ↗ -
What is the first place to look to find out whether a shipment includes HazMat?
The shipping paper
Look at the shipping paper for a proper shipping name, hazard class, and ID number, or a highlighted or marked entry.
Section 9 · 9.3.8 – Recognizing Hazardous Materials ↗ -
Which type of package is often used for HazMat shipments?
Cylinders and drums
Cylinders and drums are a clue that a shipment may contain HazMat.
Section 9 · 9.3.8 – Recognizing Hazardous Materials ↗ -
Which shipper’s business is a clue that the freight may be HazMat?
A pest control or agricultural supplier
Paint dealers, chemical and scientific suppliers, pest control or agricultural suppliers, and explosives or fireworks dealers are all listed as clues.
Section 9 · 9.3.8 – Recognizing Hazardous Materials ↗ -
What must you do with a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest when transporting hazardous waste?
Sign it by hand and carry it
You sign the manifest by hand, carry it, and treat it as a shipping paper.
Section 9 · 9.3.9 – Hazardous Waste Manifest ↗ -
Whose name and EPA registration number must appear on a hazardous waste manifest?
The shippers, carriers, and destination
The manifest shows the name and EPA registration number of the shippers, carriers, and destination.
Section 9 · 9.3.9 – Hazardous Waste Manifest ↗ -
Who prepares, dates, and signs the hazardous waste manifest by hand?
The shipper
Shippers prepare, date, and hand-sign the manifest. Each carrier that transports the shipment also signs by hand.
Section 9 · 9.3.9 – Hazardous Waste Manifest ↗ -
To whom may you hand over a hazardous waste shipment?
Only another registered carrier or a disposal or treatment facility
Waste goes only to another registered carrier or to a disposal or treatment facility.
Section 9 · 9.3.9 – Hazardous Waste Manifest ↗ -
After you deliver a hazardous waste shipment, what do you do with your copy of the manifest?
Keep it, with all needed signatures and dates
Keep your copy. It must carry all signatures and dates, including those of the person who received the waste.
Section 9 · 9.3.9 – Hazardous Waste Manifest ↗ -
Whose signature must be on your copy of the manifest after delivery, in addition to the shipper’s and carriers’?
The person to whom you delivered the waste
Each copy needs all signatures and dates, including the person who took delivery of the waste.
Section 9 · 9.3.9 – Hazardous Waste Manifest ↗
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