Indiana Tanker CDL Practice Test

This is a free 20-question practice test for the Tanker portion of the Indiana Commercial Driver's License knowledge exam. Questions are pulled from a pool of 50 drawn from the AAMVA CDL Manual, which is the source document the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles uses to write its actual exam.

How it works: Click an answer. The correct choice highlights in green, and you'll see a short explanation. Aim for 85% or better before you sit for the real test in Indiana.

Question 1 of 20

Tankers should be driven with:

Less following distance
More following distance and gentler control inputs than a dry van
The same as a car
Higher speeds

Correct. Tankers stop slower and roll easier. Increase following distance and use gentler steering and braking inputs.

Question 2 of 20

A double trailer tanker requires:

Both N (Tanker) and T (Doubles/Triples) endorsements, plus possibly H (Hazmat)
Only the N endorsement
No endorsements
Only the H endorsement

Correct. Pulling more than one tank requires Doubles/Triples (T) plus Tanker (N) endorsements. Add Hazmat (H) — together written X — for hazardous liquid loads.

Question 3 of 20

When unloading from a top-mounted hatch, you should:

Use the ladder safely, follow fall-protection rules, secure the hatch after
Skip the ladder
Jump down
Open all hatches at once

Correct. Top-mount work involves fall hazard. Use the ladder safely, follow fall-protection procedures, and secure hatches after.

Question 4 of 20

A "baffled" tank has:

Walls with holes that slow surge but allow flow
No walls
Only one compartment
Outside reinforcement

Correct. Baffled tanks have internal bulkheads with holes — they slow surge but still allow product to flow through during loading and unloading.

Question 5 of 20

Outage refers to:

Empty space left at the top of a tank to allow liquid expansion
The brake-out system
A power failure
A driver shortage

Correct. Outage is the empty space left at the top of a tank to allow liquid to expand as it warms. Different liquids require different outage percentages.

Question 6 of 20

When braking a partially filled smooth-bore tank, you should:

Brake hard at the last minute
Brake gently and start braking earlier than usual to compensate for surge
Use only the trailer hand valve
Pump the brakes

Correct. In smooth-bore tanks, surge is severe. Brake gently and earlier than you would in a dry-van trailer to avoid being pushed forward.

Question 7 of 20

Pressure relief devices on cargo tanks are designed to:

Open if pressure inside exceeds safe limits, releasing product or vapor before the tank ruptures
Increase pressure
Be tightened down
Stay closed at all times

Correct. Pressure relief valves open at a set pressure to prevent tank rupture. Tampering with them is illegal and dangerous.

Question 8 of 20

When driving a tanker, you should:

Drive faster on curves
Drive slower than posted curve speeds, especially on exit ramps
Use only the trailer brake
Match car speeds

Correct. Posted advisory speeds assume cars. A loaded tanker may roll over at the posted speed — slow well below posted speeds for ramps and curves.

Question 9 of 20

When the surge in a tanker pushes the rig forward at a stop, you may:

Brake harder
Be pushed past the intended stopping point
Skid backward
Have no effect

Correct. Forward surge can push the entire rig forward — past stop lines, into intersections, into the vehicle ahead. Plan your stops with extra distance.

Question 10 of 20

When unloading product from a cargo tank, you should:

Verify the receiving container can hold the load, bond and ground, control the flow rate, and remain within 25 feet for flammables
Walk away
Maximize flow rate
Smoke nearby

Correct. Pre-check receiving container, bond and ground, control flow rate to prevent splash and spill, and remain attentive for flammable liquids.

Question 11 of 20

When backing a tanker, you should:

Move slowly and watch for the high mounted lights and clearance, since the tank shape may affect visibility
Move quickly
Use only the trailer brake
Skip the helper

Correct. Tankers can have unusual mirror angles and rear visibility. Use a helper, move slowly, and watch for tank-mount lights and overhead clearance.

Question 12 of 20

Tanker pre-trip should specifically check:

Tank shell, intake/discharge/cut-off valves, manhole covers, venting devices, and pressure-relief equipment
Only the tires
Only the engine
Only the placards

Correct. In addition to standard pre-trip, inspect the tank shell, all valves, manhole covers, vents, and pressure-relief devices.

Question 13 of 20

When you discover a leak in a cargo tank carrying flammable liquid:

Continue to the destination
Stop in a safe location, secure the area, contact emergency response and the carrier — never transfer cargo on the road
Try to drive around the leak
Pour water on it

Correct. A leaking flammable cargo tank is a major incident — secure the area, evacuate per the ERG, contact emergency services. Never attempt roadside cargo transfer.

Question 14 of 20

Bonding and grounding during product transfer:

Equalizes electrical potential between the tank and receiving container, preventing static-spark ignition
Charges the battery
Cools the load
Speeds delivery

Correct. Static electricity builds up during liquid transfer. Bonding (cable between tank and receiving container) plus grounding equalizes potential to prevent ignition.

Question 15 of 20

A "tank vehicle" requiring an N endorsement is generally defined as:

Any commercial vehicle
A vehicle used to transport liquid or gaseous materials in a tank with rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more, individual tanks of 119+ gallons
Only fuel trucks
Only vehicles over 80,000 lbs

Correct. The N endorsement is required for any commercial vehicle hauling liquid or gas in a permanently mounted tank or portable tank with rated capacity of 1,000+ gallons (and individual tanks of 119+ gallons).

Question 16 of 20

Outage requirements:

Vary by liquid because of differing thermal expansion rates
Are always 1 percent
Do not exist
Are only for water

Correct. Outage requirements differ by product. Gasoline expands more than diesel, ethanol expands differently, etc. Check the shipping paper or product specifications.

Question 17 of 20

Front-to-back surge is most likely to cause:

The vehicle to be pushed forward when braking
The vehicle to roll over
Better braking
No effect

Correct. Front-to-back surge pushes the rig forward when you brake — drivers have been pushed through stop lines by an unexpected forward surge.

Question 18 of 20

You should never load a tank completely full because:

It is illegal in all states
Liquids expand when warmed and need outage; over-filling can rupture the tank
Trucks won't move
It saves no time

Correct. Liquids expand with temperature. Without outage, a warming load can over-pressurize and rupture the tank.

Question 19 of 20

A tanker with a high center of gravity is most prone to rollover during:

Straight-line driving
Tight curves, evasive maneuvers, and exit ramps
Backing
Stopping

Correct. High center of gravity makes tankers roll on tight curves, sudden lane changes, and exit ramps. Slow well in advance.

Question 20 of 20

Liquid in a partially filled tank causes:

No special concern
Surge — the load slosh that affects vehicle handling
Better fuel economy
Improved braking

Correct. Surge is the side-to-side or front-to-back movement of liquid in a partially filled tank — it can throw the rig forward, pull it sideways, and significantly affect handling.

About the Indiana Tanker exam

Most states administer 20 Tanker questions and require 80% to pass. Topics include the unique handling of liquid loads, surge effects, baffles vs. smooth-bore, outage and expansion, inspection of the cargo tank, and emergency procedures.

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles follows the federal CDL standards established by FMCSA. To earn the Tanker credential, you must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly. Many candidates score lower the first time because the test pulls from a large pool — refreshing this page will give you a different mix of questions, drawn from the same authoritative source.

Want more practice? Try the full Tanker question bank or browse all Indiana CDL practice tests.