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CDL · Inspecting Tank Vehicles

Before loading or unloading a cargo tank, what must the driver do regarding the vehicle and the operation?

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

Be sure to park safely, set the parking brake, and stay near the controls and watch the operation, never leaving the vehicle unattended

  1. A Walk away to complete paperwork in the office
  2. B Leave the engine running to power the pump in all cases
  3. C Disconnect the brakes so the tank can settle
  4. D Be sure to park safely, set the parking brake, and stay near the controls and watch the operation, never leaving the vehicle unattended

Why this is the answer

FMCSA requires that the driver of a cargo tank attend the tank at all times during loading and unloading. "Attending" means being within 25 feet of the tank, having an unobstructed view of it, and being able to reach the emergency shutoff. The driver first parks safely and sets the parking brake. Staying with the operation lets the driver react immediately to an overfill, a hose failure, or a leak by closing valves and shutting down the transfer. Walking away — even briefly for paperwork — is a serious violation because a tank can release a large volume of product very quickly if something goes wrong.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 8.1.4 Attending the Tank

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About this topic: Inspecting Tank Vehicles

The combination-vehicle inspection adds fifth wheel, kingpin, glad hands, and trailer-specific items to the standard pre-trip routine. This is one of 14 Tanker questions on inspecting tank vehicles, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our CDL exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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