Has anyone ever heard of having to take the skills test with a tanker trailer?

So I went and took my CLP written test today, and passed all 4 (Special Requirements i.e. Texas Commercial Vehicle Operation, General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination). I live in Texas by the way if you didn't catch so I don't want anybody trying to guess or trying to give me the wrong answer. I just want straight up, honest answers.

I asked the lady at the DPS office who printed out my CLP at the desk what endorsement tests that I could take now that I have my CLP before I take my skills test, and she said that she doesn't recommend that I don't take any of them until after I pass my skills and road test, and I have my Class A license. However, she did say that the only endorsement test that I would be able to take before I got my Class A would be my tanker's endorsement, but she didn't recommend that I did because I would have to take the skills test with a tanker trailer. Has anyone ever heard of, or anyone that just got their license after February 7th with this new ELDT regulation that if you take the tanker endorsement test before while you have your CLP and before you take your skills and road test, that you will have to take your skills and road test with a tanker trailer? I mean something just doesn't sound right here. I may be wrong, but it just doesn't sound right.

Now, I know that it does say in the handbook that the only endorsement that you can add to a CLP is a tanker's endorsement. But I have heard of, and people have told me that they've added all 3 endorsements to their CLP before they got their Class A. Now how true that is, I have no idea. I just want to get it all done in one shot before I do all of my training so I can just start driving. But if I have to come back home to take the written exams for the rest of my endorsements before I get my own truck, then so be it.

 

Yeah, I've never heard of such a thing. Even in the handbook it doesn't mention it. And yeah I know I can probably finish it probably 10 mins. It took me about 15 mins each to get through combination and air brakes. But yeah, I can see where you're coming from. I'm gonna be contacting recruiters and putting in applications this week and see what they say. So we'll see. I'll just bite the bullet and wait if I have to. I've waited long enough, I can wait a few more weeks.

 

I can't get a straight answer from anyone anywhere, either. Every answer I've gotten is conflicting. I've asked everywhere. I guess I'll just play it safe until I get an honest, definite answer from someone that's either done it or knows what they're talking about. I've already taken both the ELDT Theory course and HAZMAT Theory course myself because I don't want to sit through a week's worth of classes. So all I need is BTW training which I plan on going through a mega carrier due to certain circumstances then going OTR for the time being to get my experience so I can find something better.

 

I have no idea if it's non-standard reg's or not. I haven't been able to find any information at all about having to take a road test in a tanker if I have a tanker's endorsement on my CLP. But here in TX, the Air Brakes portion isn't an endorsement. It's part of the written tests for your learner's permit. I'll have stop by another DPS office and see what they say. I've never even heard of such a thing.

 

I just looked it up on the FMCSA website, and it says that the tanker endorsement is the only one that I can take and put on my CLP, and it's a knowledge only test. The only requirement is is that there would be a restriction on my permit that it would have to be a dry tank which would be a no-brainer. No skills and road test involved so I wouldn't have to test out with a tanker trailer. So should I challenge the DPS office, or just wait until I'm done with training, and have my Class A?