Does the liquid or gas in a tank have to be a hazardous material for a tank endorsement to be required?

No, the endorsement can be required for any liquid or gas

Yes, only hazardous liquids or gases count

A tank is only temporarily attached to the vehicle. Can it still require a tank endorsement?

Yes, permanently or temporarily attached tanks both count

No, only permanently attached tanks count

Only if it is attached to the chassis by welding

When does a Class C vehicle require a tank endorsement?

When it carries hazardous materials in liquid or gas form in the rated tanks

Whenever it carries any liquid in a tank

Never, tank endorsements are only for Class A and B

When should you inspect a tank vehicle?

Before loading, unloading, or driving it

Tank vehicles come in many types. Where do you find out how to inspect your particular tank vehicle?

In the vehicle’s operator manual

Carrying liquids or gases in a leaking tank is what?

Allowed if you drive to a repair shop

What can happen if you are found driving a leaking tank?

You will be cited and prevented from driving further

You will get a warning and may continue

Which valves must be in the correct position before loading, unloading, or moving a tank vehicle?

The intake, discharge, and cut-off valves

Only the air brake drain valves

When checking pipes, connections, and hoses on a tanker, where should you look most carefully for leaks?

In the middle of straight hose sections

Only at the hose ends stored in the cab

What must manhole covers on a tank have?

Gaskets, and they must close correctly

What should you do about the vents on a tank?

Keep them clear so they work correctly

Seal them with tape before driving

Close them fully when the tank is loaded

What should you do about the emergency equipment required for your tank vehicle?

Find out what is required and make sure you have it and it works

Leave it to the shipper to supply

Carry it only on hazardous loads

What two things make hauling liquids in tanks require special skills?

A high center of gravity and liquid movement

What does a high center of gravity mean?

Much of the load’s weight is carried high up off the road

Most of the weight is on the front axle

The load sits low between the axles

What does a high center of gravity do to a vehicle?

Makes it top-heavy and easy to roll over

Tests have shown that tankers can turn over at what speed in curves?

At the speed limits posted for curves

Only at speeds well above the posted limit

How should a tanker take highway curves and on ramp or off ramp curves?

Slightly above the posted speed to keep momentum

What causes liquid surge?

Movement of the liquid in partially filled tanks

Air pressure in a completely full tank

When the surge wave hits the end of the tank, which way does it tend to push the truck?

In the direction the wave is moving

Opposite to the direction of the wave

Your partly filled tanker is stopped on ice. What can surge do?

Shove the stopped truck out into an intersection

Nothing, surge only matters at speed

What do bulkheads do in a liquid tank?

Divide it into several smaller tanks

Let liquid flow freely from end to end

When loading and unloading a tank divided by bulkheads, what must you pay attention to?

The order of the shipping papers

What are baffles in a liquid tank?

Bulkheads with holes that let the liquid flow through

Solid walls that seal off each compartment

Floats that sit on top of the liquid

Why is front-to-back surge very strong in an un-baffled tank?

Nothing inside slows down the flow of the liquid

The liquid is heavier than in other tanks

Why do tanks that carry food products usually have no baffles?

Sanitation regulations forbid baffles because the inside is hard to clean

Baffles would make the tank too heavy

Why should you never load a cargo tank totally full?

Liquids expand as they warm and need room

A full tank surges more than a partly full one

Full tanks cannot be unloaded safely

Do all liquids require the same amount of outage?

No, different liquids expand by different amounts

Yes, always 10 percent of the tank

Yes, unless the liquid is hazardous

Why might you only partially fill a tank with a heavy, dense liquid such as some acids?

A full tank may exceed legal weight limits

Which of these is one of the three things that decide how much liquid to load into a tank?

The amount the liquid will expand in transit

The number of bulkheads in the tank

Because of high center of gravity and surge, how must you start, slow down, and stop a tank vehicle?

Quickly, to get through surge faster

With hard braking to settle the liquid

How should you use the brakes when coming to a stop in a tanker?

Keep a steady pressure and do not release too soon

Release them just before the stop to ride the surge

To help control surge, how far ahead should you brake and what should you do with following distance?

Brake far in advance and increase following distance

Brake late and keep a short following distance

Brake only with the engine retarder

Tank vehicles

Practice this topic57 questions

Questions and answers

Does the liquid or gas in a tank have to be a hazardous material for a tank endorsement to be required?

No, the endorsement can be required for any liquid or gas

A tank endorsement is about hauling liquids or gases in tanks, whether or not they are hazardous.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
For a Class A or B vehicle, a tank endorsement is needed when each tank has an individual rated capacity of more than how many gallons?

119 gallons

The individual tank must be rated at more than 119 gallons, together with the aggregate capacity rule.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
For a Class A or B vehicle, what aggregate rated capacity of the tanks makes a tank endorsement necessary?

1,000 gallons or more

The tanks together must have an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
A tank is only temporarily attached to the vehicle. Can it still require a tank endorsement?

Yes, permanently or temporarily attached tanks both count

The rule covers tanks attached to the vehicle or chassis permanently or temporarily.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
When does a Class C vehicle require a tank endorsement?

When it carries hazardous materials in liquid or gas form in the rated tanks

A Class C driver needs the tank endorsement when hauling liquid or gas hazardous materials in tanks of the rated size.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
Besides Section 8, which sections of the manual should you also study for the tank vehicle test?

Sections 2, 5, 6, and 9

The tank vehicle section points you to Sections 2, 5, 6, and 9 as well.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
When should you inspect a tank vehicle?

Before loading, unloading, or driving it

Inspect before loading, unloading, or driving so the vehicle is safe to carry the cargo and safe to drive.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
Tank vehicles come in many types. Where do you find out how to inspect your particular tank vehicle?

In the vehicle’s operator manual

Because tanks vary, check the operator manual to learn how to inspect your vehicle.
Section 8 · 8.1 – Inspecting Tank Vehicles ↗PDF, 41 MB
On all tank vehicles, what is the most important item to check for?

Leaks

Leaks are the most important thing to look for on any tank vehicle.
Section 8 · 8.1.1 – Leaks ↗PDF, 41 MB
Carrying liquids or gases in a leaking tank is what?

A crime

Hauling cargo in a leaking tank is a crime.
Section 8 · 8.1.1 – Leaks ↗PDF, 41 MB
What can happen if you are found driving a leaking tank?

You will be cited and prevented from driving further

You will be cited and stopped from driving further, and you may also pay for the clean-up.
Section 8 · 8.1.1 – Leaks ↗PDF, 41 MB
Who may be liable for the clean-up of a spill from a leaking tank you drove?

You may be

The driver may also be liable for cleaning up any spill.
Section 8 · 8.1.1 – Leaks ↗PDF, 41 MB
What should you check the tank’s body or shell for?

Dents or leaks

Inspect the body or shell for dents or leaks.
Section 8 · 8.1.1 – Leaks ↗PDF, 41 MB
Which valves must be in the correct position before loading, unloading, or moving a tank vehicle?

The intake, discharge, and cut-off valves

Check the intake, discharge, and cut-off valves and make sure they are set correctly.
Section 8 · 8.1.1 – Leaks ↗PDF, 41 MB
When checking pipes, connections, and hoses on a tanker, where should you look most carefully for leaks?

Around joints

Leaks in pipes, connections, and hoses are most likely around joints.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
What must manhole covers on a tank have?

Gaskets, and they must close correctly

Make sure manhole covers have gaskets and close correctly.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
What should you do about the vents on a tank?

Keep them clear so they work correctly

Vents must be kept clear so that they work correctly.
Section 8 · TANK VEHICLES ↗PDF, 41 MB
Which of these is special purpose equipment you must check on a tank vehicle that has it?

Vapor recovery kits

If the vehicle has vapor recovery kits, make sure they work.
Section 8 · 8.1.2 – Check Special Purpose Equipment ↗PDF, 41 MB
Which cables are listed as special purpose equipment to check on a tank vehicle?

Grounding and bonding cables

Grounding and bonding cables are special equipment that must work if the vehicle has them.
Section 8 · 8.1.2 – Check Special Purpose Equipment ↗PDF, 41 MB
Which safety systems on a tank vehicle should you make sure work, if the vehicle has them?

Emergency shut-off systems

Emergency shut-off systems are on the list of special purpose equipment to check.
Section 8 · 8.1.2 – Check Special Purpose Equipment ↗PDF, 41 MB
What fire equipment is on the list of special purpose equipment for tank vehicles?

A built in fire extinguisher

If the tanker has a built in fire extinguisher, make sure it works.
Section 8 · 8.1.2 – Check Special Purpose Equipment ↗PDF, 41 MB
May you drive a tank vehicle with open valves or manhole covers?

No, never

A tank vehicle must never be driven with valves or manhole covers open.
Section 8 · 8.1.2 – Check Special Purpose Equipment ↗PDF, 41 MB
What should you do about the emergency equipment required for your tank vehicle?

Find out what is required and make sure you have it and it works

Know which emergency equipment you must carry, and check that you have it and that it works.
Section 8 · 8.1.3 – Special Equipment ↗PDF, 41 MB
What two things make hauling liquids in tanks require special skills?

A high center of gravity and liquid movement

Tankers need special skill because of their high center of gravity and the way liquid moves.
Section 8 · 8.2 – Driving Tank Vehicles ↗PDF, 41 MB
What does a high center of gravity mean?

Much of the load’s weight is carried high up off the road

With a high center of gravity, much of the weight rides high above the road.
Section 8 · 8.2.1 – High Center of Gravity ↗PDF, 41 MB
What does a high center of gravity do to a vehicle?

Makes it top-heavy and easy to roll over

A high center of gravity makes the vehicle top-heavy and easy to roll over.
Section 8 · 8.2.1 – High Center of Gravity ↗PDF, 41 MB
Tests have shown that tankers can turn over at what speed in curves?

At the speed limits posted for curves

Tankers can roll over even at the posted speed for a curve.
Section 8 · 8.2.1 – High Center of Gravity ↗PDF, 41 MB
How should a tanker take highway curves and on ramp or off ramp curves?

Well below the posted speeds

Because tankers can roll over at posted curve speeds, take curves and ramps well below them.
Section 8 · 8.2.1 – High Center of Gravity ↗PDF, 41 MB
What causes liquid surge?

Movement of the liquid in partially filled tanks

Surge comes from liquid moving in a tank that is only partly full.
Section 8 · 8.2.2 – Danger of Surge ↗PDF, 41 MB
When the surge wave hits the end of the tank, which way does it tend to push the truck?

In the direction the wave is moving

The wave pushes the truck in the same direction it is moving.
Section 8 · 8.2.2 – Danger of Surge ↗PDF, 41 MB
Your partly filled tanker is stopped on ice. What can surge do?

Shove the stopped truck out into an intersection

On a slippery surface, the surge wave can push a stopped truck into an intersection.
Section 8 · 8.2.2 – Danger of Surge ↗PDF, 41 MB
What do bulkheads do in a liquid tank?

Divide it into several smaller tanks

Bulkheads split a liquid tank into several smaller tanks.
Section 8 · 8.2.3 – Bulkheads ↗PDF, 41 MB
When loading and unloading a tank divided by bulkheads, what must you pay attention to?

Weight distribution

With bulkheads, how you fill the smaller tanks changes weight distribution, so do not overload the front or rear.
Section 8 · 8.2.3 – Bulkheads ↗PDF, 41 MB
What are baffles in a liquid tank?

Bulkheads with holes that let the liquid flow through

Baffles are bulkheads with holes, so liquid can pass through them.
Section 8 · 8.2.4 – Baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
Which surge do baffles help to control?

Forward and backward surge

Baffles help control forward and backward surge, but side-to-side surge can still happen.
Section 8 · 8.2.4 – Baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
In a baffled tank, what can side-to-side surge still cause?

A roll over

Baffles do not stop side-to-side surge, and that surge can cause a rollover.
Section 8 · 8.2.4 – Baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
What is another name for an un-baffled liquid tanker?

A smooth bore tank

Un-baffled tankers are sometimes called smooth bore tanks.
Section 8 · 8.2.5 – Un-baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
Why is front-to-back surge very strong in an un-baffled tank?

Nothing inside slows down the flow of the liquid

With no baffles inside, nothing slows the liquid, so surge is very strong.
Section 8 · 8.2.5 – Un-baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
What do un-baffled tanks usually transport?

Food products such as milk

Smooth bore tanks are usually used for food products like milk.
Section 8 · 8.2.5 – Un-baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
Why do tanks that carry food products usually have no baffles?

Sanitation regulations forbid baffles because the inside is hard to clean

Baffles make the inside hard to clean, so sanitation rules forbid them in food tanks.
Section 8 · 8.2.5 – Un-baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
When must you be especially careful driving a smooth bore tank?

When starting and stopping

Surge in smooth bore tanks is strongest when starting and stopping, so be slow and careful then.
Section 8 · 8.2.5 – Un-baffled Tanks ↗PDF, 41 MB
Why should you never load a cargo tank totally full?

Liquids expand as they warm and need room

Liquids expand when they warm, so room must be left for that expansion.
Section 8 · 8.2.6 – Outage ↗PDF, 41 MB
What is the room left in a tank for expanding liquid called?

Outage

The space left for the liquid to expand is called outage.
Section 8 · 8.2.6 – Outage ↗PDF, 41 MB
Do all liquids require the same amount of outage?

No, different liquids expand by different amounts

Each liquid expands differently, so outage needs differ. Know the outage requirement for what you haul.
Section 8 · 8.2.6 – Outage ↗PDF, 41 MB
Why might you only partially fill a tank with a heavy, dense liquid such as some acids?

A full tank may exceed legal weight limits

A full tank of a dense liquid can be over the legal weight limits.
Section 8 · 8.2.7 – How Much to Load? ↗PDF, 41 MB
The amount of liquid to load into a tank depends on the expansion in transit, legal weight limits, and what else?

The weight of the liquid

How much to load depends on expansion in transit, the liquid’s weight, and legal weight limits.
Section 8 · 8.2.7 – How Much to Load? ↗PDF, 41 MB
Which of these is one of the three things that decide how much liquid to load into a tank?

The amount the liquid will expand in transit

Expansion in transit is one of the three factors, along with the liquid’s weight and legal weight limits.
Section 8 · 8.2.7 – How Much to Load? ↗PDF, 41 MB
Because of high center of gravity and surge, how must you start, slow down, and stop a tank vehicle?

Very smoothly

Start, slow, and stop very smoothly, and make smooth turns and lane changes too.
Section 8 · 8.3.1 – Drive Smoothly ↗PDF, 41 MB
How should you use the brakes when coming to a stop in a tanker?

Keep a steady pressure and do not release too soon

Steady brake pressure, held until the stop, helps control surge.
Section 8 · 8.3.2 – Controlling Surge ↗PDF, 41 MB
To help control surge, how far ahead should you brake and what should you do with following distance?

Brake far in advance and increase following distance

Braking early and leaving more space help control surge.
Section 8 · 8.3.2 – Controlling Surge ↗PDF, 41 MB
You must make a quick stop in a tanker to avoid a crash. Which braking method should you use?

Controlled or stab braking

For a quick stop in a tanker, use controlled or stab braking.
Section 8 · 8.3.2 – Controlling Surge ↗PDF, 41 MB
What can happen if you steer quickly while braking in a tank vehicle?

The vehicle may roll over

Quick steering while braking can roll a tanker over.
Section 8 · 8.3.2 – Controlling Surge ↗PDF, 41 MB
How should you drive a tank vehicle through a curve?

Slow down before the curve, then accelerate slightly through it

Slow before the curve and accelerate slightly through it. The posted speed may be too fast for a tanker.
Section 8 · 8.3.3 – Curves ↗PDF, 41 MB
How do wet roads affect normal stopping distance?

They double it

Wet roads can double the normal stopping distance.
Section 8 · 8.3.4 – Stopping Distance ↗PDF, 41 MB
Compared with a full tank vehicle, an empty one may take how long to stop?

Longer

Empty tank vehicles may need more distance to stop than full ones.
Section 8 · 8.3.4 – Stopping Distance ↗PDF, 41 MB
On a tank trailer, what may happen if the drive wheels or trailer wheels begin to skid?

The vehicle may jackknife

A skid of the drive or trailer wheels can jackknife a tank trailer.
Section 8 · 8.3.5 – Skids ↗PDF, 41 MB
Which actions can make a tank vehicle skid?

Over steering, over accelerating, or over braking

Do not over steer, over accelerate, or over brake, or the vehicle may skid.
Section 8 · 8.3.5 – Skids ↗PDF, 41 MB

Tank vehicles

Questions and answers

Does the liquid or gas in a tank have to be a hazardous material for a tank endorsement to be required?

For a Class A or B vehicle, a tank endorsement is needed when each tank has an individual rated capacity of more than how many gallons?

For a Class A or B vehicle, what aggregate rated capacity of the tanks makes a tank endorsement necessary?

A tank is only temporarily attached to the vehicle. Can it still require a tank endorsement?

When does a Class C vehicle require a tank endorsement?

Besides Section 8, which sections of the manual should you also study for the tank vehicle test?

When should you inspect a tank vehicle?

Tank vehicles come in many types. Where do you find out how to inspect your particular tank vehicle?

On all tank vehicles, what is the most important item to check for?

Carrying liquids or gases in a leaking tank is what?

What can happen if you are found driving a leaking tank?

Who may be liable for the clean-up of a spill from a leaking tank you drove?

What should you check the tank’s body or shell for?

Which valves must be in the correct position before loading, unloading, or moving a tank vehicle?

When checking pipes, connections, and hoses on a tanker, where should you look most carefully for leaks?

What must manhole covers on a tank have?

What should you do about the vents on a tank?

Which of these is special purpose equipment you must check on a tank vehicle that has it?

Which cables are listed as special purpose equipment to check on a tank vehicle?

Which safety systems on a tank vehicle should you make sure work, if the vehicle has them?

What fire equipment is on the list of special purpose equipment for tank vehicles?

May you drive a tank vehicle with open valves or manhole covers?

What should you do about the emergency equipment required for your tank vehicle?

What two things make hauling liquids in tanks require special skills?

What does a high center of gravity mean?

What does a high center of gravity do to a vehicle?

Tests have shown that tankers can turn over at what speed in curves?

How should a tanker take highway curves and on ramp or off ramp curves?

What causes liquid surge?

When the surge wave hits the end of the tank, which way does it tend to push the truck?

Your partly filled tanker is stopped on ice. What can surge do?

What do bulkheads do in a liquid tank?

When loading and unloading a tank divided by bulkheads, what must you pay attention to?

What are baffles in a liquid tank?

Which surge do baffles help to control?

In a baffled tank, what can side-to-side surge still cause?

What is another name for an un-baffled liquid tanker?

Why is front-to-back surge very strong in an un-baffled tank?

What do un-baffled tanks usually transport?

Why do tanks that carry food products usually have no baffles?

When must you be especially careful driving a smooth bore tank?

Why should you never load a cargo tank totally full?

What is the room left in a tank for expanding liquid called?

Do all liquids require the same amount of outage?

Why might you only partially fill a tank with a heavy, dense liquid such as some acids?

The amount of liquid to load into a tank depends on the expansion in transit, legal weight limits, and what else?

Which of these is one of the three things that decide how much liquid to load into a tank?

Because of high center of gravity and surge, how must you start, slow down, and stop a tank vehicle?

How should you use the brakes when coming to a stop in a tanker?

To help control surge, how far ahead should you brake and what should you do with following distance?

You must make a quick stop in a tanker to avoid a crash. Which braking method should you use?

What can happen if you steer quickly while braking in a tank vehicle?

How should you drive a tank vehicle through a curve?

How do wet roads affect normal stopping distance?

Compared with a full tank vehicle, an empty one may take how long to stop?

On a tank trailer, what may happen if the drive wheels or trailer wheels begin to skid?

Which actions can make a tank vehicle skid?

Questions and answers by topic