Free CDL Tanker Practice Tests
Liquids behave differently than dry freight. The Tanker test makes sure you understand surge, slosh, and why a half-full tank is actually harder to handle.
The N endorsement is one of the simpler ones to get - just a knowledge test, no TSA check, no ELDT. But the physics are real: liquid surge can push you through an intersection or roll you on a curve. The test covers baffled vs. unbaffled tanks, outage, and why you never fill a tank completely.
69 questions • 3 practice tests • Free to start
Start Your Tanker Practice
Practice tests for the Tanker endorsement exam. Select your state to begin.
The Tanker Knowledge Test
You take this at your state DMV. You need 80% or higher to pass.
Tanker Vehicles
The test focuses on how liquids behave inside a tank - surge, slosh, and how it affects braking and turning. You'll need to know the difference between baffled and unbaffled tanks, when to use smooth bore tanks (for certain hazmat), and why you should never fully fill a tank (outage for expansion). Key topic: stopping distance increases because liquid surge pushes against the cab when you brake.
15M+ students since 2010
50 states covered
Why Get the Tanker Endorsement?
Better rates than dry van
Tanker loads pay more. Fuel drivers: $65K-$80K. Chemical bulk: $75K+. Milk runs pay less but the routes are local.
Same-day endorsement
No TSA, no ELDT, no waiting. Pass the knowledge test and walk out with N on your license.
Most drivers combine with HazMat
Tanker alone is fine for milk, water, and food-grade. But fuel hauling requires both N and H (the X combo). Plan accordingly.
Surge handling is a skill
Not everyone can manage a sloshing tank on mountain grades. Drivers who can stay in demand.
What is the Tanker Endorsement?
The Tanker endorsement (N) lets you haul liquid or gaseous cargo in bulk tanks - anything over 1,000 gallons (or 119 gallons for Class 3 flammables and Division 6.1 poisons). Fuel, milk, water, chemicals, propane - if it sloshes, you need N.
The test is about liquid dynamics. Surge, slosh, how braking changes when the load pushes back. You'll learn why baffled tanks are safer (but can't be used for food-grade products), why you never fill a tank completely (outage for expansion), and how a partially loaded tank is actually harder to handle than a full one.
Good news: no TSA background check, no ELDT requirement, no behind-the-wheel training. Pass a 20-question knowledge test and you're endorsed. You can often get it the same day you pass your CDL tests.
Most tanker drivers combine this with HazMat (H) to get the X endorsement - required for fuel hauling. Tanker alone still opens doors for milk, water, and food-grade transport.
What You Can Haul with Tanker
- Fuel tankers (gasoline, diesel)
- Milk tankers
- Water tankers
- Chemical tankers
- Propane/LPG delivery trucks
- Cement mixers (liquid cargo)
- Any vehicle with tank capacity over 1,000 gallons or 119 gallons for Class 3 or Division 6.1 materials
How to Get the Tanker Endorsement
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Pass the Tanker Knowledge Test
That's it - just the knowledge test. 20-25 questions at most DMVs, 80% to pass. Covers liquid surge, rollover prevention, baffled vs. unbaffled tanks, and inspection procedures. No ELDT, no behind-the-wheel training, no background check. Practice with our free tests above.
3
Get the N Endorsement on Your CDL
Once you pass, the DMV adds the N endorsement to your CDL immediately. You can often get it the same day you get your initial CDL if you test for both.
4
Consider Adding HazMat for X Endorsement
Tanker + HazMat = X endorsement, which is what fuel haulers need. If you want to haul gasoline, diesel, or chemicals, plan to get HazMat (H) too. That does require TSA background check and ELDT.
Tanker Endorsement - Frequently Asked Questions
The N endorsement authorizes you to drive vehicles with permanent or temporary tank capacity of 1,000+ gallons for liquid or gaseous cargo. The threshold is lower (119+ gallons) for Class 3 flammable liquids or Division 6.1 poisons. You add it to an existing CDL.
Pass the Tanker knowledge test at your DMV. That's it - no background check, no ELDT requirement, no behind-the-wheel training. Most states have 20-25 questions, and you need 80% to pass. You can often get it the same day you pass your CDL tests.
No. ELDT is only required for first-time CDL applicants, the School Bus (S) endorsement, the Passenger (P) endorsement, and the HazMat (H) endorsement. Tanker (N) is just a knowledge test.
Tanker (N) is about the container type - bulk tanks holding 1,000+ gallons of liquid or gas. HazMat (H) is about the cargo type - materials that require hazard placarding. You can haul non-hazardous liquids (milk, water) with just N. To haul hazardous liquids (gasoline, chemicals), you need both N + H, which is called the X endorsement.
X means you have both Tanker (N) and HazMat (H). It's not a separate test - just the combination. Most fuel hauling jobs require X because gasoline and diesel are both hazardous (flammable) and transported in tanks.
Tanker-only drivers (milk, water, food-grade) earn $55,000-$70,000. Add HazMat for fuel hauling and the range is $65,000-$85,000. Chemical tanker drivers with experience can hit $80,000+. Regional fuel runs often pay well with more predictable schedules than long-haul.
Liquid surge is the movement of liquid inside a partially filled tank when you brake, turn, or accelerate. It's like a wave hitting the front or sides of the tank. This delays your stopping distance, can push you through an intersection, and increases rollover risk on turns. The test asks about this a lot.
Baffles are internal walls with holes that reduce front-to-back surge but still allow liquid to flow. Unbaffled (smooth bore) tanks have no baffles - surge is worse, but they're easier to clean. Smooth bore is required for food-grade products like milk to meet sanitation standards.
Often yes. If the drum holds 1,000+ gallons of liquid concrete, you need the N endorsement. The liquid moves inside the drum just like any other tank, creating surge. Some states exempt mixers with continuous mixing - check your local rules.