New here, CDL/Hazmat question

Yes you can apply now or while in cdl school.

 

Give trucking a try. If that gets boring, become a seaman on a merchant ship or cruise ship.

 

You can take 10 versions of the HazMat test online for free at TruckerCountry.com In every state I know of you cannot complete your HazMat endorsement until you have a valid CDL. Each state has a slightly different process and order in which things can/must be done. You need to pass the computer test, provide fingerprints and send them to TSA, wait for TSA to send you letter saying your are approved or passed the background check, then take everything to your state driver license office and they will add HM to your CDL. It's roughly a $150-200 cost for everything, when I last looked. If you are getting HazMat go ahead and get your TWIC card at the same time. They use the same TSA check and fingerprints. A few customers require TWIC card to enter. I used mine twice at the same customer in 3 years. Some drivers use their every week or month. It depends on which customers you deal with.

Here's how to practice for every endorsement test online
Passing your CLP/CDL Endorsement Tests - HowTo

Here's why every new CDL driver needs a tanker endorsement, even if they never want to pull liquid tankers.
Every new CDL driver needs Tanker endorsement.

 

The LTL crowd will require ALL the major CDL endorsements, to drive for them (including hazmat).

If you are successful on-boarding with DOT--they may or may not require any endorsements.

DOT is an extremely good gig--but...don't kid yourself--note that they can indeed be fairly picky. Submit an app if you like--just don't hold your breath. Submit apps elsewhere, too...just in case.

-- Lual

 

I will second everybody saying to go ahead and get all the endorsements while you're testing for everything else. Much easier that way than having to go back later.

Double/triple and tanker are just a short written test and then you have them forever. Hazmat you have to renew periodically but worth it.

 

A couple of days?

Not necessarily....

At my latest gig--they took 3 MONTHS to get back to me, after I submitted my app.

It later turned into an 18+ months fuel-hauling job (hazmat tanker)--& home daily.

If you hear back from them in less than a week--great.

But if you don't--patience is the name of the game.

Avoid being a chump, though--submit apps elsewhere--as well.

-- Lual

 

Just from my experience, in California, I had to have the TSA clearance before taking the test for a Hazmat endorsement. I would recommend taking any endorsement tests that you want before your initial CDL is issued, Just to avoid the time for them to re-issue if you do it afterwards, but not a deal breaker either way I suppose.

 

Apply to the electric company become a lineman. They make a 100k after a few years. You need a CDL to drive their trucks.