Alabama Tanker Endorsement - 40 Card Cram Set

A focused vocabulary review of the Alabama CDL Manual Section 8 for Tank Vehicle endorsements, covering technical thresholds, safety procedures, and driving physics.

N endorsement

The specific endorsement code required for a tank vehicle.

Hazardous material requirement

A tank endorsement is required regardless of whether the liquid or gas being transported is hazardous.

Class A/B tanker threshold

Required for an individual tank over $119\,gallons$ AND an aggregate capacity of $1,000\,gallons$ or more, whether permanently or temporarily attached.

Class C tanker endorsement

Applies when the vehicle carries hazardous materials in liquid or gas form in the qualifying tanks.

Pre-operation preparation

Before loading, unloading, or driving, you should inspect the vehicle to ensure it is safe to carry the load and safe to drive.

Most important inspection item

Leaks; checking for them is the top priority on all tank vehicles.

Leaking tank consequence

It is a crime to carry liquid or gas in a leaking tank; you can be cited and stopped.

Tank body/shell inspection

A focused check for any dents or leaks.

Valve requirement

Valves must be in the correct position before loading, unloading, or moving.

Driving restrictions

Never drive a tank vehicle with open valves or open manhole covers.

Reason for special care

Tank vehicles require caution because of their high center of gravity and liquid movement.

High center of gravity

A condition where much of the load's weight is carried high off the road, making the vehicle top-heavy.

Rollover risk

Because they are top-heavy, tankers can roll over even at posted speed limits for curves.

Ramp speed safety

Curves, on-ramps, and off-ramps should be taken well below the posted speed.

Liquid surge

The movement of liquid inside a partially filled tank.

Stop surge effect

At a stop, liquid surge can push the truck in the direction the wave is moving.

Slippery road surge

On ice or slippery roads, surge can shove a stopped truck out into an intersection.

Bulkheads

Solid dividers that divide a tank into smaller compartments.

Bulkhead weight management

You must watch weight distribution to ensure not too much weight is placed on the front or the rear.

Baffles

Bulkheads with holes that let liquid flow through.

Baffle function

Helps to control forward-and-back surge.

Baffle limitation

Baffles do not fully control side-to-side surge, which can still cause rollover.

Smooth bore tank

An unbaffled tank where nothing inside slows the flow of liquid.

Smooth bore surge characteristics

These tanks have very strong forward-and-back surge.

Smooth bore tank use

Often used for food products like milk because sanitation rules may not allow baffles.

Outage

The empty space left in the tank to allow for liquid expansion.

Expansion factor

Cargo tanks are never loaded completely full because liquids expand as they warm.

Loading volume factors

The amount of liquid to load depends on expansion in transit, the weight of the liquid, and legal weight limits.

Dense liquid weight risk

A full tank of dense liquid may exceed legal weight limits.

Safe driving inputs

Starts, stops, turns, and lane changes should be performed smoothly.

Surge control at stops

Maintain steady brake pressure and do not release the brakes too soon.

Surge control braking technique

Brake far in advance and increase following distance.

Quick stop method

Use either controlled braking or stab braking.

Steering and braking risk

Steering quickly while braking can cause a rollover.

Curve procedure

Slow down before the curve, then accelerate slightly through it.

Wet road stopping distance

Wet roads can make stopping distance double the normal stopping distance.

Empty vehicle stopping distance

Empty tank vehicles may take longer to stop than full tank vehicles.

Skid causes

Over-steering, over-accelerating, or over-braking.

Jackknife

A likely occurrence if drive wheels or trailer wheels skid on a tank trailer.