Delaware Tank Vehicle CDL Practice Test
Below are 25 exam-style questions for the Delaware Tank Vehicle CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. Try to answer each question on your own before reading the answer key directly under it. The questions and answer choices are shuffled deterministically per state and endorsement, so the order will stay the same on repeat visits — that lets you genuinely measure your improvement.
- A It carries dry cargo
- B It carries any liquid
- C It is a flatbed
- D It has a tank with rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more (single tank or aggregate of portable tanks)
- A Permanently mounted to the vehicle
- B A portable tank set on the vehicle
- C All of the above can be a cargo tank
- D A trailer-mounted tank
- A Has no internal structure
- B Is divided into separate compartments
- C Has internal walls with holes that slow liquid movement
- D Is illegal in the U.S.
- A Cause rollover
- B Cause loss of control
- C All of the above
- D Push the vehicle through an intersection
- A Allow the receiver to verify later
- B Verify the correct product, quantity, and compatibility with the tank
- C Skip the verification
- D Trust the loader to handle it
- A Close vents and covers, secure equipment, and inspect for leaks before leaving
- B Allow the receiver to close everything
- C Skip the post-unload inspection
- D Drive away with vents open
- A Drive normally
- B Use only the parking brake to slow
- C Allow extra following distance and brake earlier
- D Disregard surge
- A It uses air brakes
- B Its high center of gravity and large surface area increase wind effects
- C It is shorter
- D It is heavier
- A Walk away to take a break
- B Allow the receiver to handle everything
- C Stay within reach of the controls and maintain a clear view of the operation
- D Stand at least 50 feet away
- A Drive faster
- B Stop in a safe location, isolate the area, and notify the carrier and authorities
- C Continue to the destination
- D Try to repair the leak yourself
- A Improve fuel mileage
- B Reduce noise
- C Prevent static-electricity sparks during loading and unloading
- D Prevent corrosion
- A Use the escape ramp
- B Increase speed
- C Maintain pressure on the brakes
- D Coast in neutral
- A Open vents while pressure is high
- B Open vents only after pressure is equalized
- C Skip the venting
- D Drive while unloading
- A Allow the receiver to handle everything
- B Begin unloading immediately
- C Skip the verification
- D Verify the receiver is ready and the receiving tank has capacity
- A There is no effect
- B Surge is severe
- C It stops faster
- D The vehicle is heavy and stops slower; surge is reduced but mass is high
- A Drive faster to limit the spill
- B Allow product to leak until empty
- C Continue to the destination
- D Stop, isolate the area, and notify emergency services and the carrier
- A All of the above
- B Skip outage
- C Use the trailer hand valve as a parking brake
- D Disregard surge
- A An air-brake line
- B A pipe that contains residual liquid product
- C A frozen pipe
- D A fuel line
- A Wait for the carrier to instruct
- B Refer to the ERG and shipping papers for product-specific guidance
- C Open all vents
- D Rely on memory only
- A Follow site procedures and verify equipment before loading
- B Allow another driver to load for them
- C Skip the site procedures
- D Begin loading without checking
- A Fill the tank completely
- B Overfill if running low on time
- C Leave room for product expansion (outage)
- D Skip the outage if the product is cold
- A Disengage the clutch
- B Hold the steering wheel firmly because the load may push you forward
- C Release the wheel
- D Apply the parking brake immediately
- A Use parking brake intermittently
- B Coast in neutral
- C Be in low gear and use steady moderate brake application
- D Increase speed
- A Use only mirrors
- B GOAL — Get Out And Look — and use a spotter when possible
- C Skip the visual check
- D Back at full speed
- A At any speed
- B Sharp and quick
- C Smooth and gradual to minimize side-to-side surge
- D Without signaling
Study tips for the Delaware Tank Vehicle exam
The Tank Vehicle portion of the Delaware CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles draws from each year. While the exact bank is not published, every question is sourced from the Tank Vehicle chapter of the Delaware CDL handbook, which itself is derived from the FMCSA Model Commercial Driver's License Manual. That means studying our practice tests, reading the corresponding handbook chapter, and re-reading the parts you got wrong is genuinely the most efficient route to a first-time pass.
Most successful applicants follow a simple cycle: take the practice test cold, write down every question you missed, open the matching chapter of the official Delaware handbook, re-read the section that contains the right answer, then re-take the practice test 24 to 48 hours later. The 24-hour delay matters — sleep is when your brain commits new information to long-term memory, and CDL knowledge questions reward that kind of consolidated learning rather than cramming.
Pay particular attention to questions that include qualifier words like always, never, only, primary, or most. CDL test writers love to flip the right answer with a single qualifier. When two answer choices look almost identical, pay attention to the verb (is it must, should, or may?) and to any numbers (14 days, 100 air miles, 8 hours, 70/8 split). On endorsement tests in particular, watch for trick framing where a true statement about a different endorsement is offered as the "correct" answer to a question that is actually about Tank Vehicle.
Test-day logistics matter too. Bring photo ID, your Social Security card or birth certificate, your medical examiner's certificate (DOT card), and proof of state residency if you haven't already submitted those documents. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles will not let you sit for the knowledge exam without your documentation, and most offices charge an additional fee for re-attempts. Arrive early — the wait at most CDL testing offices runs 30 to 60 minutes — and silence your phone before the exam begins.
Finally, keep your General Knowledge fundamentals sharp even when you're focused on the Tank Vehicle exam. Many states administer multiple knowledge tests in a single sitting, and questions on weight definitions (GVWR, GCWR, GAWR), stopping distance, and the pre-trip inspection routine show up across endorsements. If you're unsure on the basics, sit a fresh Delaware General Knowledge practice test before scheduling the real exam.
Next steps
Missed more than four questions? Re-read the Tank Vehicle study guide and the matching chapter in the official Delaware CDL handbook. Then come back and re-take the test. Once you can score 22 of 25 or higher on three runs in a row, you're in good shape to schedule the real exam at your local Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles office.
Already comfortable with this endorsement? Drill another: DE General Knowledge · DE Air Brakes · DE Combination Vehicles · DE Hazardous Materials · DE Passenger · DE School Bus · DE Doubles / Triples
New to the CDL process in Delaware? Read How to apply for a CDL in Delaware for the document checklist and step-by-step timeline.