New Jersey Tanker CDL Practice Test

This is a free 20-question practice test for the Tanker portion of the New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission 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 New Jersey.

Question 1 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.

Question 2 of 20

A loaded tanker on a curve is most likely to:

Roll over because surge plus high CG amplifies side forces
Skid in a straight line
Brake faster
Steer easier

Correct. Side surge plus high CG creates a tipping moment well above what a flat-bed of equal weight produces. Speed reduction in advance is the only safe answer.

Question 3 of 20

A "smooth bore" tank has:

No internal divisions
Internal baffles
Compartments
Reinforcement rings

Correct. A smooth-bore tank has no internal divisions or baffles. Surge is dramatic; brake gently to avoid being pushed forward by the load.

Question 4 of 20

Compartmented tanks have:

Liquid-tight bulkheads dividing the tank into separate sections
No divisions
Smooth interior
Only baffles

Correct. Compartmented tanks have liquid-tight bulkheads. Each compartment is loaded separately, allowing different products in one trailer.

Question 5 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 6 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 7 of 20

Empty tankers handle:

The same as loaded tankers
Differently — lighter axle weight reduces braking traction; tankers are also more affected by crosswinds when empty
Always better
Always worse

Correct. Empty tankers have less brake traction (less weight on tires) and are more affected by crosswinds. Never assume empty equals safer.

Question 8 of 20

When driving with a load that has a low specific gravity (e.g., gasoline) versus high (e.g., asphalt), you should:

Drive the same
Adjust for the differences in surge dynamics, weight distribution, and braking
Skip braking
Run hot

Correct. Different products have different densities, surge characteristics, and weight distributions. Adjust speed and braking for the load.

Question 9 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 10 of 20

Tank vehicles should not be driven:

On long downgrades without a lower gear and intermittent firm braking
On any highway
Anywhere
At night

Correct. On long downgrades, select a low gear before starting down and use firm intermittent brake applications to prevent fade.

Question 11 of 20

Tank specification "MC-307" or "DOT-407" generally refers to:

Cargo tanks for low-pressure liquids and certain hazardous chemicals
Explosives
Bulk solids
Refrigerated gases

Correct. MC-307/DOT-407 are insulated low-pressure tanks for chemicals — common for many industrial liquids.

Question 12 of 20

A loaded tanker traveling 10 mph above the safe curve speed has a:

Lower rollover risk
Significantly higher rollover risk because rollover threshold scales with speed squared
Same risk
Better handling

Correct. Centripetal force scales with speed squared. Just 10 mph over safe speed can take you past the rollover threshold of a loaded tanker.

Question 13 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 14 of 20

Tankers have a high center of gravity because:

The driver sits high
The load is in a tall, narrow tank
The cargo is light
The cab is wide

Correct. A tank carries its load high above the road. The center of gravity is much higher than for a flatbed of the same weight, increasing rollover risk.

Question 15 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 16 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 17 of 20

When loading a cargo tank with flammable liquid, the driver must:

Stay alert, within 25 feet, with a clear view of the tank, and ready to handle emergencies
Leave for lunch
Smoke
Run the engine at high RPM

Correct. Federal rule: driver remains within 25 feet, alert, with a clear view, ready to act in case of overflow or emergency.

Question 18 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 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

When you drive a tanker on slippery roads, you should:

Drive faster
Reduce speed substantially and increase following distance
Use only the trailer brake
Maintain normal speed

Correct. Reduce speed by at least one-third on wet roads, by half on snow. Liquid loads make recovery from a skid much harder.

About the New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission 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 New Jersey CDL practice tests.