Getting Hazmat

You may need hazmat to get a certain job, but it may not be required to keep the job.

I started out with it, and over a couple years I did a few HM loads.
But it wasn't worth the extra effort for the extra $25 per load.

Softail said it wasn't any harder than any other type of load.
Not true.
You have to make sure you are placarded correctly, maybe call in for special instructions.
You have to stop at all rail road crossings.
You have to stop every 100 miles to check your load.
You WILL get pulled over while driving by DOT for inspections.
And you may have some VERY dangerous stuff in that trailer.

All that for an extra 25 bucks?
I dropped the hazmat when I renewed my CDL.

What did that do?
No more being pulled in for an inspection simply because I was hauling hazmat.
No more extra stops.
No more stopping at every rail crossing.
No more dangerous stuff around me.
No more extra red tape.
And, I might add, no fewer loads to run.

 

Everyone I would hire is hazmat/tanker. Owner op or company driver. Doesn't matter. Hazmat pays a lot more money if you ask for it. Hazmat also gives you a lot of options in dead areas such as the east coast, and even sometimes Miami, FL. You just have to know what you're hauling. For example, windshield fluid? HAZMAT.. Flavoring for coca cola? Corrosive/flammable hazmat. Paint? Etc. Put placard holders, the nice ones.If you're a company driver, ask for placard holders. Make sure you have the right placards, load must always be secured. No gaps/spaces in between pallets. Keep a hazmat handbook, bills always close to the hand. Cops don't really target you. I think it's a myth. Southern states will have you pull into the scale, and Ohio too. But mostly to make sure no leaks and that you are certified and have the carrier has the Ohio hazmat permit.

Now the radioactive crap, yeah screw that.

 

If you go for the Haz mat, might as well get the package deal and get your twic card. They will give you a background check so NO felonys is a must. BTW, its a different division you have to go to, not DMV. You have to find the feds, TSA.

 

What red tape?

You get finger printed, and then wait for the letter.

FAST has some more hassle to it but both are a lot easier than other clearances.

 

u fill out an application normally by phone you get a refference number u take hazmat test
You go some place else to get fingerprinted you give them like 86.50 then you wait for results which could take weeks.you don't think all that is red tape?if not what do you consider red tape? Before 911 all you would hav e to do is take the test.,if it wasn't reshape then so many drivers woulxnt have dropped that endorsement.

 

Felony convictions don't necessarily bar you from getting hazmat/twic its more the timing and nature of the conviction. I know a lot of drivers that have felony convictions and haul hazmat. One guy I know was convicted of a very serious violent felony spent a long time in prison and today is hauling gas.

 

The best reason to have the hazmat (and doubles and tanker) endorsement

The best reason to have the hazmat (and doubles and tanker) endorsement is to get better job. All high-paying LTL jobs and tanker jobs require it. You are correct that it doesn't pay and is just extra hassle to carry hazmat at a "starter" company.

 

Next time your on the road and think about it look at the amount of trucks with hazmat placards out. Outside of gas haulers you don't see all that many. There are really not that many hazmat loads carried by the mega carriers. Most of the hazmat loads I have noticed are the LTL's. My point is simple in most situations a hazmat endorsement really only means in that one in a thousand chance a hazmat load springs up you can haul it. This is one reason most of the mega carriers don't really care if you get it or not. You new to trucking guys trust me on this. You don't need hazmat unless you are told specifically by your employer its needed and they hire you with this provision.

 

Cost me about $100 and a couple hours to get fingerprinted. Not the end of the world. Waiting for results? Time is going to go by no matter what you do. Might as well get hazmat endorsement and open up new opportunities for yourself

 

I agree with you in principal, but not in all situations. Take me for instance, my last 2 years I pulled a reefer and although I had my X endorsement I never used it. I retired unexpected in 2013 but I had decided before this to not waste my time or money on getting it renewed. I was going to renew my TWIC because I was in a lot of ports, but went ahead and let it lapse.