hazmat for new drivers?

Smart guy....

 

Our school encouraged almost to point of demanding it that we get hazmat, tanker, and 2b/3bs

 

Definitely worth having for all the reasons already listed. My biggest selling point on it is that it may increase load availability. It'd sure suck to have to sit longer than you have to because the only load around where you are is haz mat, or if a haz mat load is a better option than the others available. As for the difficulty or danger, not all hazmat is a tanker full of dangerous chemicals. Sometimes it's bleach or household cleaners, not even a whole truck load.
You'll definitely want to read up on haz mat for the test though. Pay close attention to the explosives section, 1.1 I think. Anyway, many of the questions pertain to the explosives part, and exactly how far you can go from the truck or when you need to be with the load. It's a 5 dollar test if you have to retake it, no big really. Again, you'll definitely need to study it a little bit.

 

Definitely get it, as others have already stated.

But one thing is... if you have not taken the road test for CDL yet, do all your hazmat preparations (background check/approval process, fingerprints, KNOW the hazmat info) now, but wait until after the road test to actually take the written test for the endorsement. By making that the final step at the DMV (after you were road tested), the DMV road test examiners can't involve any part of hazmat questions during your road test, which is their option if you already passed the hazmat written test. At least that's their option in the state I got my CDL from.

 

Yeah it depends on the state.

In TX, you aren't even allowed to take the hazmat endorsement test until you have your commercial driver's license. No your permit doesn't count. So yeah, can't take it until after you have passed your road test.

Still best to try to take it the same day thou, as the paperwork gets kind of expedited a bit if it's lumped all together into everything else that's done for you being awarded your CDL.



I also agree that while you can, you should get every endorsement, TWIC, passport, and certification you can. You never know what door it woln't open for you until you don't have it, and for some, it takes unavoidable administrative time to get it. Its best to be prepared and ready to go immediately with everything.

 

Yes, get everything! I was in Tennessee (my old home state) and got a good load of spray paint going to California because I was the only driver available with hazmat. Also, a good job with $15K + annual pay raise became available with another company & I was prepared with tanker/hazmat & got the job; they wanted a driver right then, not wait for someone to get endorsements.

 

Not bashing the USA here, but I've been through work visa, 2year green card, 10 year green card, and citizenship - biometrics at least 6 times, and still the same waiting time every time I renew . . . Anything. I figure its just a fee collection deal. Big brother has seen me a lot, but seems to have a bad memory, and empty pockets.

 

WHen I was new at regional the guys would tell my "never taker that fresh express monday load to the east coast. You will be sitting a day or more to get a load back!"

I had my hazmat and was always preplanned with a load back before I dropped.

On top of what others have commented, Having a Hazmat gives you the opportunity to hook to more miles, quicker!

Mikeeee

 

Has anyone have a copy of the original paper dmv test for hazmat in Ca. Thanks I need to take a test on january 2014. Thanks.