Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Hazmat Endorsement?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Sportster2000, Jul 16, 2008.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jul 16, 2008 #1
    Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

    1,480
    886
    Jan 5, 2008
    Indiana
    0
    So I have been asked by my DOT manager to get my Hazmat endorsement. Well I am not for certain if I want to. We don't really have anything that we need it for, just two CNG tanks that hardly ever move. I talked to the lady at the BMV and she told me that the finger prints that are taken are turned into Homeland Security office. I have no problems being finger printed, been there before for a good legal reason (pistol permit). As everyone has heard of one issue or another with homeland security. They are always on the news. So here are some questions. Is it worth it to get the Hazmat endorsement? I am not trying to be greedy on this one, but is it worth it for me to get it if I don't get some compensation for the time put into getting the endorsement or even after I get the endorsement? I really do not know how much trouble it is worth. Is there more paperwork associated with hazmat just for having the endorsement? I am just sitting in the fence trying to decide if it is worth the trouble. Any advise or comment will be helpful.

    Thank You,

    Greg
     
    Sportster2000, Jul 16, 2008
    Sportster2000, Jul 16, 2008
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jul 16, 2008 #2
    truckermario

    truckermario Road Train Member

    2,321
    561
    Sep 24, 2006
    0
    There's no harm in getting it. Just gives you access to more freight. Of course I think everybody should pay more for hazmat loads.:biggrin_25516:
     
    truckermario, Jul 16, 2008
    truckermario, Jul 16, 2008
    #2
  4. Jul 16, 2008 #3
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

    18,951
    8,981
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    I agree. I let mine lapse years ago. Got it again in 2006. Supposed to be good for 4 years. Went to a company and found they required it, but did not pay more for it.

    The nice state of Illinois advised me that when I renewed my license 15 months later, I would have to renew all of the paperwork and pay the fees again. I told them to let it drop. I was now working at a company that hauled no hazmat.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2008
    Roadmedic, Jul 16, 2008
    Roadmedic, Jul 16, 2008
    #3
  5. Jul 16, 2008 #4
    Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

    1,480
    886
    Jan 5, 2008
    Indiana
    0
    That's the thing, I don't really haul freight. The company that I work for is a Not For Hire company. The trailers that I haul are loaded down with concrete weights, they never come off of the trailer until we retire the trailer. We don't have tankers. Just flat and box vans. I don't expect to be leaving the company that I work for, key word being expect.
     
    Sportster2000, Jul 16, 2008
    Sportster2000, Jul 16, 2008
    #4
  7. Jul 16, 2008 #5
    Macho Macho Man

    Macho Macho Man Light Load Member

    51
    5
    Jul 6, 2008
    Here and there
    0
    I literally got mine 5 days ago. All it took was a quick application form at the DMV, A quick office visit for fingerprints(and a check for 75 bucks), and three weeks of waiting to get my letter saying that I was no threat. Took the letter to the DMv and now I have a nice shiny piece of paper saying I have hazmat. Can't wait to get my real license back.
     
    Macho Macho Man, Jul 16, 2008
    Macho Macho Man, Jul 16, 2008
    #5
  8. Jul 16, 2008 #6
    munrkr

    munrkr Medium Load Member

    375
    27
    Dec 14, 2006
    0
    If you are an "at will employee" and the good folks that would have sway over you "ask" you to do it...? Did you talk to your D.O.T. manager about your concerns? I'd say offer a polite objection and state your case and see what they say. They might have good reason.
     
    munrkr, Jul 16, 2008
    munrkr, Jul 16, 2008
    #6
  9. Jul 16, 2008 #7
    Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

    17,996
    35,644
    Sep 8, 2007
    Utah's DIXIE!
    0
    It's not a bad idea to have it. It will open some doors for you should you change jobs. I really don't like HM loads, but I've sure hauled enough of them. . .
     
    Big Don, Jul 16, 2008
    Big Don, Jul 16, 2008
    #7
  10. Jul 16, 2008 #8
    Ken Worth

    Ken Worth Medium Load Member

    639
    191
    Jun 29, 2008
    Great Plains
    0
    What the heck is a DOT manager and why would they want you to have one if you don't haul hazmat? Do they plan on starting or is this some goofball trying to act important? Where's the confused smiley?
     
    Ken Worth, Jul 16, 2008
    Ken Worth, Jul 16, 2008
    #8
  11. Jul 17, 2008 #9
    Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

    1,480
    886
    Jan 5, 2008
    Indiana
    0
    Sorry for not explaining this earlier. The DOT manager is a manager in the company that I work for that it is his or her job to keep trucks up to date on DOT regulations and well as keeping the drivers well informed on the regulations that affect us. He makes sure that we have correct paperwork for the vehicles that we are driving. We only have two items that are hazmat. They are both Compressed Natural Gas cylinders that have not move outside of the property in over a year, but he sees the need for someone in the shop having the Hazmat endorsement to move them if needed. The job is a union job.
     
    Sportster2000, Jul 17, 2008
    Sportster2000, Jul 17, 2008
    #9
  12. Jul 17, 2008 #10
    witchwaywest

    witchwaywest Medium Load Member

    327
    105
    Dec 8, 2007
    Monroe New York
    0
    Sportster,
    Get the the haz-mat endorsement.It's not a hard written test to take.I think it's a little over priced with the fees and time spent on fingerprinting but like others have said it can open doors to other job opportunities.I never was paid more for the endorsement but some specialized companies do pay more for inhalation hazards,explosives and radioactive substances.Remember that old saying?One hand washes another.I am sure your manager will be happy when you get it,maybe even help with the cost.If nothing more,as a driver you should be proud you went through the headache and got it.Get it.
     
    witchwaywest, Jul 17, 2008
    witchwaywest, Jul 17, 2008
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2