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CDL · Outage and Loading

When loading a tank, you should:

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Leave the required outage for the product, and verify the loading does not exceed legal weight limits

  1. A Fill to maximum capacity to maximize the load
  2. B Leave the required outage for the product, and verify the loading does not exceed legal weight limits
  3. C Load only at night to prevent expansion
  4. D Load until liquid overflows

Why this is the answer

Proper loading leaves the required outage and stays within legal weight limits. Loading procedure: position the truck on level ground; bond and ground the tank (for flammable liquids); connect the loading arm; calculate the safe load weight (tank capacity ÷ liquid density, ensuring axle weights stay legal); leave required outage; close all valves and inspect for leaks before driving. Some tanks have visual indicators or sensors to show when the proper level is reached; others rely on the shipper's loading operator to stop at the right point. The driver remains responsible for accurate loading even if a shipper's employee does the work. Overloading violates weight laws and creates the dangerous pressure conditions outage is designed to prevent.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 8.3.2 Proper Loading

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About this topic: Outage and Loading

Outage is the space left in a tank so the liquid can expand as it warms; loading questions ask how much to leave, why it depends on the product, and how weight limits can be reached before the tank is full. This is one of 11 Tanker questions on outage and loading, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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