Endorsements before CDL?

When you take the permit test tell them you want to take the test for doubles/triples and tanker. Then once you get your license AND have the hard copy in the mail pay the TSA to do the background check for hazmat. Once they clear you go to the DMV and take the written Hazmat test. If you take the hazmat test before securing your license they can and will put a hold on it up to a month or longer while your background check is pending.

 

Yes you can... I took all my endorsement tests in one day and passed all but hazmat. I got that one the next day.

In my case I wanted to get it done so that the company would pay for the endorsements.

 

Forget Hazmat....that TSA segment is really expensive, dumped it off my CDL without too much thought, since I wasn't about to pay for something I would never use.

 

You can, but I would split them up, it is a lot to do at once. You can get your permit with airbrakes and combo vehicle. Then go back any time after that to get your other endorsements, in IL it didn't cost anything to add the endorsements later. Also, get your hazmat, it is worth getting, I have nevered halled hazmat but get paid $2.00 Per hour extra just for having it. With hazmat you have yo pass the fingerprinting and background check before you can even test. Costs about $180 i think and takes about 3 Weeks for results.

 

I would get them all , if I thought I could pass the tests....once you have them , you'll be more marketable to the job market , even if you think you'll never use them , get 'em anyway....... never know when the chance of a lifetime might come your way......be sad if all that stood in your way of landing a great , high paying job , was taking , and passing a test. just an old fart's take on it...Good luck!

 

Starting to see a lot more companies offering HazMat endorsement holders an extra .01 to .05 cpm more in pay just to have the endorsement at their disposal...and some of these companies will even tell you straight up, they hardly use it, but like to know they could if they had to.

I keep the HazMat endorsement alive regardless of if I drive for a carrier that isn't even licensed to haul hazardous materials...or if that is all they haul. It's good to have...it's almost like a "good reference" from the Government to a lot of people.

On another note covered: in Iowa, when you "add" an endorsement to your CDL after the original hard copy is issued, there is a cost ($2.00 to $5.00) because they have to destroy your current one....take a new photo...and re-issue a new one with the endorsement on it. Time and materials is basically what you're paying for---can't believe it is free in Indiana.

 

Here in CT I have been told by my teacher that you can take all the endorsement tests when you do the permit testing but only have the state put the air brake & combo on the permit not the D & T or tank as the state will test you on them during the skill & road test and if you fail any 1 of them you failed the whole skill & road test part and have to re-take it.
Where if you only have air brake & combo that is all they test you on.
Told the state will hold them till you come in for your permanent Lic. and have them added then. Also if you get your permanent Lic. before you add add the endorsements you then pay for the Lic 2 times.

I only need to take the combo, have a class B w/air already, and will take all the endorsements at the same time and have the state hold them till I pass the skill/road test and have them added to the perm. Lic.
Dave ----

 

Don't go too soon, permit is only good for 1 Year