How I Got a Hazmat Endorsement Without Spending Thousands Going Back To CDL School
Hey there, I’m Alex. With 8 years in the trucking industry and over a decade of investing experience, my goal is to help fellow drivers succeed on the road. Whether its your first year driving or you want to become an owner operator. I’m here to help you out.
I know what you’re probably thinking: Who is this guy, and what does he know about getting a hazmat endorsement?
Let me introduce myself. I’m Driver Alex, and I have eight years of experience in the trucking industry. I spent five years working at a local Kenworth dealership and the last three years driving for a regional company that specializes in hauling chemicals. During that time, I went through the process of getting my hazmat endorsement and learned what it takes to earn and maintain it.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the 3 steps to add a hazmat endorsement, the requirements needed, and help you avoid some common mistakes along the way. But first, let’s look at what qualifies you to get a hazmat endorsement.
Why Do You Need a Hazmat Endorsement?
In my experience, trucking involves hauling a wide variety of loads. One day, a driver might deliver general merchandise to a Walmart distribution center, and the next day, they could be hauling bags of sugar to a bakery. Loads like these can be transported by a person with a standard CDL.
But what about hazardous materials, like paint or batteries? In large enough quantities, these products can pose serious risks during an accident. Because of that, drivers need additional training to ensure these loads are transported safely and securely. That’s where a hazmat endorsement comes in.
A hazmat endorsement allows drivers to transport hazardous materials that cannot be hauled with a standard CDL alone.
Qualifications to get a Hazmat Endorsement
To qualify for a hazmat endorsement, you must already have a valid CDL. You also need to be at least 21 years old and be a U.S. citizen or meet the federal requirements for lawful permanent residency.
- CDL
- Be 21 years old
- U.S. citizen
Disqualifications to getting a Hazmat Endorsement
Because hazardous materials can pose a serious risk to the public, the federal government places strict requirements on who can obtain a Hazmat endorsement. While some criminal convictions permanently disqualify an applicant, others may not prevent someone from earning a Hazmat endorsement after they have completed their sentence and met certain requirements. Below is a list of the felony convictions that may or may not disqualify a driver from obtaining a Hazmat endorsement.
Under No Circumstances
- Terrorism
- Espionage
- Threats against America
7 Year Exception Felonies
- Extortion
- Bribery
- Smuggling
- Arson
- Robbery
To See A Full List Click Here
3 Steps I Took To Get My Hazmat Endorsement.
- Pass a TSA Background Check
- Complete a entry-level driver training course
- Take The Hazmat Knowledge Test
When I got my Hazmat endorsement, it was during the transition to the new government regulations that require drivers to complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) before they can earn one. Unfortunately, I was scammed by a local CDL school and paid more than $1,000 for what turned out to be nothing more than an online course.
The good news is that there are many more affordable options available today. To add a Hazmat endorsement to your CDL, below we’ll take a closer look at each step.
Get a background check.
I listed the TSA background check as the first step because it usually takes the longest to complete. To get started, I visited the TSA website, completed the pre-enrollment application, and scheduled an appointment at an authorized enrollment center near me. At my appointment, I provided my information, had my fingerprints taken, and paid the $90 application fee.
After my fingerprints were submitted, it took 1–2 weeks to receive approval for my hazmat endorsement. Keep in mind that your TSA background check must be approved before your state’s DMV can add the Hazmat endorsement to your CDL.
Take an ELDT for Hazmat Course
I know this part of getting your Hazmat endorsement isn’t the most exciting, but it’s required. As of February 7, 2022, the federal government requires all new Hazmat endorsement applicants to complete an Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) course before they can take the Hazmat knowledge test. If you already had your Hazmat endorsement before that date, you can skip this step.
If you’re reading this, though, you’re probably wondering where to take the required training. The good news is I found one where you can complete it online from your phone or computer, whenever it’s convenient for you.
I recommend Safer Training’s Hazmat endorsement course. It’s FMCSA-approved in 48 states, takes just a few hours to complete, and gives you unlimited access to the course materials. That means you can review the material again whenever it’s time to renew your Hazmat endorsement.
Pass My Hazmat Endorsement Test
After my background check cleared and I completed my ELDT course, I was finally ready to head to my local DMV to take the hazmat endorsement test. The exam had about 30 questions, and you only needed to score 80% to pass. Luckily, I passed on my first try.
One of the best ways I prepared was by taking free online practice tests. I used Driving-Tests.org, which offers both free and paid practice tests for a variety of driver’s license exams. The free tests were enough to help me pass, so I never tried the paid version and can’t say whether it’s worth the extra cost.
Conclusion
Getting my hazmat endorsement was a bigger pain than it is today, but the basic process is still the same. You’ll need to complete a TSA background check, take an ELDT course, and pass the hazmat endorsement test at your local DMV.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! I hope this guide helped make the process a little easier and gave you the confidence to get your hazmat endorsement. Good luck, and drive safe!
Hey there, I’m Alex. With 8 years in the trucking industry and over a decade of investing experience, my goal is to help fellow drivers succeed on the road. Whether its your first year driving or you want to become an owner operator. I’m here to help you out.