HAZMAT Endorsement

I already have my TWIC card because I needed it for my previous job,according to the TSA site the TWIC background check is comparable to the HME background check. My question is would it be smarter for me to start the process to get my HME before I start CDL school or should I wait and let the school do it for me? I have a DE license and will be getting a CDL in DE but will be attending a CDL school in PA. PA has different guidelines and their own HME background check for those licensed in the state of PA . I'm figuring since the process takes a while that I should just get it started when I go to get my permit which I plam to do before I start school unless they tell me not to at the school.

 

Depends on school. The school I went to didn't focus on hazmat,so I got it on my own.I would check with school first..good luck

 

The best thing to do is wait to you get your cdl in your home state and than get your hazmat endorsement.

 

Wait until you get your license.

 

Yes, it is better to wait until you get your license in the state that you live in because you have to get the approval form first for the HME in order to have the BMV put it on your license.

 

I started the background check phase while still in school. That way the letter came before I took my road test, and I just carried it with me to the dmv when I went to change from a learners permit to a full license. I may have even had the letter beforehand and taken it down when I got my learners permit.

 

Guess I'll wait, going to weigh my options for schhols this week, hopefully I'll have decided and will have a start date early next week.

 

If you have the money and won't be hurting....apply for HME before getting your license. You'll get a discount on the HME (pretty sure, check where you'll be applying) background check having the TWIC if it was recent...if not it'll be straight cost.

Then when you get the letter you can test for the license and HME at the same time when you test for the CDL written test at the DMV, BMV whatever acronym you use.

Good Luck.

 

If you quit running to all these botttom feeder carriers you'd know a decent carrier will pay for the hazmat background check , TWIC , passport , physicals , and anything else they need you to have .

 

Bottom feeder carriers has nothing to do with it, but since you mention it, the bottom feeders hitch reimbursing you for the license, hazmat, TWIC or Passport on your staying with them so long afterward, or they'll deduct it from any money you have coming to you if you leave them, voluntarily or involuntarily.

In my perspective, I've always paid my own freight so I'm not beholding to anybody, and since the cost of said additional license/endorsement, etc. is tax deductible as a work-related expense I take the deductions. It's a small step of independence, but it is what it is.