hazmat endorsement in california (is driving test required)

In Mississippi, I tested for all endorsements when I got my cdl permit. Just waiting for the hazmat background check to arrive in the mail. Should test of school at the end of this week and finally have a class A cdl. Might be another 30+ days before the background check gets back to me though.

 

The lady is wrong. If you currently have a valid CDL, then adding the hazmat endorsement is as simple as taking the test, clearing the threat assessment and going through the fingerprinting process. You will receive a new license with your hazmat endorsement in the mail a few weeks after the threat assessment clears.

 

If you do not have a Hazmat Endorsement You can not haul any hazmat, It cut and dry spelled out in CFR49 parts 100 to 177 Transportation. Read Subpart H- Training 172.700. IO would not risk that one. The government tends to hang people that violate the simple laws they must go by. What that means any accident you have, even if it's not your fault, you will face some kind of legal action against you. And what If seen it's not pretty.

I have never had to take the driving test just to get an endorsement. If you have your CDL all you have to do is take the test for hazmat. Study up because once you get that endorsement the Feds will count that as training.

 

Another fine example of how people behind the governmental counter are clueless.

 

As far as i know, you only take the driving test once.(cars, motorcycles, semis, maybe buses)
You don't drive test just for an endorsement. Driving a hazmat load is no different then a non hazmat load. And hazmat loads can be any type. (van, tanker, etc.)


Written test might be a different story, though. The haz test will always be taken when it's time for renewal. The rest probably depends on your driving record. In utah, if you had tickets or accidents or what not. (might have something to do with points). They made you take the written tests. (computer these days). (Don't know if they still do that today, though).

I know i had to take the written once for renewal. Don't remember WHY. I didn't have commercial status at that time.

 

Hazmat is just an endorsement. you are already licensed to drive, you just need to take the test, get the background done, and once that is complete then they will send your new license indicating your H or X endorsement