is having all 7 endorsements the way to go?

No problem. Just making sure the correct information is out there.

 

True it does cost more to renew your license but the more endorsements you have the more opportunities you have.

And hope that the job is still available by the time you finish taking tests and filling out applications. You maybe the driver they wanted to hire but if the driver in line behind you already has the needed endorsements he will probably get the job because he can be on the road quicker.

Even as an O/O endorsements are useful to have. I haul produce from CA to Boston, during the summer months all I needed is a Class A with air brakes. During the winter things slow down and rates are lowered because of supply and demand. With endorsements I'm not limited to low ball winter produce loads. I can haul a hazmat load or hook up to some wiggle wagons. I have even done some temp work in oil field expansion products for 3-4 months because I had endorsements. I like the produce runs but if I ever want something else it's not a hassle to change.

Plus in CA you have to pay$40 every time you want to add on an endorsement. So if you go in and add tanker, doubles/triples, passenger and hazmat all at the same time you pay $40 (not counting the extra fees for hazmat beyond the written test). If you do them separate you pay $160. CA is strange so maybe different in other states but here you just saved money by taking them all at one time. Once you have them they are permanent except for hazmat. If you let your hazmat lapse you have to go through the process of reapplying which takes longer than renewing and cost more.

I have them all except for school bus (because you can't pay me enough to turn my back on 50+ kids while trying to drive). The only reason I have passenger is because at the time I got my license it was just a written test. However a friends son went to a CDL college, which he paid for out of his own pocket. After the six months of schooling and a brand new CDL he was unable to get a job because of something in his past. Everyone kept telling him check with us again in 2-3 years. That's a long time with out a job and by then his CDL with no experience beneath it is pretty much useless. The school he went to offered a bonus course for the passenger endorsement for a few extra$. Lucky for him he took it. He drove a tour bus for 3 years then reapplied for a trucking job and is trucking now. So you never know what you may need.

 

They only way I can see there being 7 is if you count air brakes, because it is possible to have a CDL without having air brakes. And the 7th would be adding firefighters.

 

Air brakes isn't an endorsement, though.. if you don't complete the written portion and road test in a vehicle so equipped, then you get a restriction, and that even only applied to CMVs... it doesn't prevent you from operating an air brake equipped EV for personal use, for example.

 

True I waa just trying to come up with 7

 

I've spent more time trying to do the same than I care to admit. What I came up with (and maybe I'm way off)?

Hazmat - 1
Tanker - 2
Doubles/Triples - 3
Passenger... I counted this as two since some states split it by vehicle class.. e.g., P1 in Colorado for vehicles requiring a Class B, P2 for vehicles requiring a Class C
Maybe they counted the X endorsement combining hazmat and tanker as one? So that would make six, although it wouldn't be possible to have seven, since this one would take the place of two endorsements.
School bus - according to the North Carolina CDL manual, this means "school bus only", so I'm guessing it can be had in conjunction with the regular passenger endorsement? Anyone with that endorsement care to clue us in?

Motorcycle isn't a CDL exclusive endorsement, so I'm not counting that one.

 

Endorsements

T – Double/Triples: “T” endorsement is required if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A CDL and is towing more than one trailer.

P – Passenger/Transportation: “P” endorsement is required if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A, B or C CDL and is transporting passengers. Applicants or holders of a public passenger endorsement.

N – Liquid Bulk/Tank Cargo: “N” endorsement is required if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A or B CDL and is designed to haul a liquid or liquid gas in a permanently mounted cargo tank rated at 119 gallons or more or a portable tank rated at 1,000 gallons or more. A tank endorsement is also required for Class C vehicles when the vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials in liquid or gas form in the above described rated tanks.


H – Hazardous Material: “H” endorsement is required if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A, B or C CDL and is transporting hazardous materials which are placarded.

X – Hazardous Material and Tank, Combined: “X” endorsement is required if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A, B or C CDL and is transporting hazardous materials via a tank.


S – School Bus: “S” endorsement is required before operating a school bus. “P” endorsement is also required. Applicants or holders of a public passenger endorsement.

V – Student Transportation Vehicle: “V” endorsement is required for operation of a student transportation vehicle; transporting students to and from school, including vehicles transporting special education students. Applicants or holders of a public passenger endorsement.

A – Activity Vehicle: “A” endorsement is required prior to operating a student transportation vehicle (or other vehicle that requires a “F” endorsement) used in connection with school sponsored events and activities, but not used to transport students to and from school. Applicants or holders of a public passenger endorsement.


F – Taxi, Livery, Service Bus, Motor Bus or Motor Coach: “F” endorsement is required for operation of a taxi, livery vehicle, service bus, motor bus or motor coach. Applicants or holders of a public passenger endorsement.

 

Maybe some endorsements are state specific; not applicable to interstate trucking.

 

Dang CT, why don't you leave just a little room for misinterpretation. Thanks for clearing that up. Just curious, was that just hunt and pecked out or an expertly selected cut and paste?