What Is on the Hazmat Endorsement Test?

The Hazmat endorsement test is a state DMV knowledge exam drawn from Section 9 (Hazardous Materials) of the CDL manual. It covers what counts as hazmat, the nine hazard classes, shipping papers, marking and labeling, placarding, safe loading and unloading, bulk packaging, emergency response, and security awareness. It's typically about 30 questions and usually requires 80% to pass, though the exact count and passing score vary by state — check your state DMV.

Where the test fits in the process

The knowledge test is step two of three for a first-time Hazmat endorsement:

1. Complete FMCSA-approved Hazmat ELDT training.
2. Pass your state DMV Hazmat knowledge test (this exam).
3. Pass the TSA Security Threat Assessment (background check, includes fingerprinting).

You must finish your ELDT before you can take this test — start Hazmat ELDT training online first ($20, under 2 hours). Want extra prep? The Hazmat ELDT + DMV Test Prep bundle is $30.

Start Your Hazmat ELDT Course

What the test covers

• What hazmat is & the intent of the rules — to contain the material, communicate the risk, and ensure safe drivers and equipment.
• The nine hazard classes — how materials are categorized (e.g., explosives, gases, flammables, corrosives) and what each class means.
• Shipping papers — proper shipping names, ID numbers, hazard classes, and required emergency contact information.
• Marking & labeling — the diamond-shaped hazard labels and markings that communicate a package's hazard.
• Placarding — which placards a vehicle needs based on the material's class and quantity, and where they must be placed (front, rear, both sides).
• Loading & unloading — securing loads, segregating incompatible materials, and protecting cargo from heat and damage.
• Bulk packaging & cargo tanks — ID-number display, capacity, and specialized loading procedures.
• Emergency response — how to respond to leaks, fires, and spills while protecting yourself and the public.
• Security awareness — recognizing and responding to potential security threats during transport.

How to prepare

Read Section 9 of your state's CDL manual closely — every question comes from it — and use practice tests to check yourself. Your FMCSA-approved Hazmat ELDT course builds the underlying knowledge, and the DMV Test Prep bundle adds focused question practice. For the bigger picture, see how much a Hazmat endorsement costs and whether you need ELDT for a Hazmat endorsement.

Test topics are based on Section 9 (Hazardous Materials) of the CDL manual. Question count and passing score vary by state — confirm the current details with your state DMV before you test.