adding endorsement

California may well be different, but in Pennsylvania you must pass the hazmat test first and then DMV [department of motor vehicles] gives you the paperwork to fill out and submit for your Homeland Security background check.
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You cannot get hazmat added to your license UNTIL you have BOTH passed the hazmat test AND completed/cleared the Homeland Security background check. Once you have the printout that you passed the hazmat test AND the letter from Homeland Security that says you have sucessfully completed and cleared the background check, then and only then, can you get hazmat on your license.
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NOTE: That is the way it worked in PA. Maybe CA has a different process but I kinda doubt it. Certainly it would not hurt to call DMV and find out the steps of the process.

 

Theres a reason behind that. Unfortunately the law affects all drivers. You guys have a cdl, by nature, you “should” be more qualified to drive in the road than anyone else without the additional training. But, because you are a small minority of drivers with extra qualifications, it is easier to put a law into place that affects the majority. Hypothetically a cdl 21 year old, can probably be trusted with a rental, but most 21 year olds cannot, they used statistics to determine that it was unsafe to do so, insurance probably didnt want to cover for such a rental. Motorcycles are not the same beasts, just like a huge truck has its things, motorcycles are special in their own way and not everyone should be riding them. If you don’t understand that then you are probably in the not group. Respect the vehicle no matter the size.