HAZMAT? How many of you have it.

Besides that, the real danger in regards to terrorism is trains, not trucks.

 

P.S. Even if someone wanted a load of hazmat for bad intent they don't even need a hazmat endorsment---they just need a cdl; When was the last time someone actually asked to see your licence before you loaded a hazmat load?

i'm sure it happens, but i'm sure it doesn't happen as well.

 

I don't have my envelope with me... But I think it was labeled, "Do Not Forward"

OP You might have to investigate more and possibly have it resent.

Mikeeee

 

I have hazmat, don't use it very often. we drive team, my husband also has it. If the company didn't pay for it, I wouldn't keep it

 

I never got my letter when I moved as well. Just called up the dmv before I went to get my license and verified that they had it in their computer. They did and told me I didn't need the letter.

 

If shippers dont care if you have a Hazmat to ship there loads why does it exist ? I guess only the Bears are looking at your license.

 

Ive got it , haven't used it yet , how about stopping at all those railroad crossings comon, LOL

 

I have hazmat, along with tanker and dbls/trpls. When I was in CDL school we covered all the stuff needed to pass the tests so I figured might as well get them all.

It is true that most companies don't compensate you well enough for hazmat loads. Your mileage pay is usually about 90% of what the actual distance is taking the shortest route possible. When you have a placarded load you usually have to take the beltway around major cities, have to take alternate routes to avoid many tunnels and you have to stop at many of the weigh stations even if you have pre-pass. This often adds significant time and (unpaid) mileage to your trips. Some companies also require you to call for a hazmat briefing before you leave the shipper and depending upon how busy they are that may add 30 minutes before you even start your trip. There are also lots of regulations to follow with HM loads like checking and logging tire pressure checks at every stop and you can only fuel one tank at a time because you must tend the fuel nozzle any time it is on. So these are some of the downsides with hazmat loads.

Now I think it is still good to have just because it opens more opportunities. Companies like to hire hazmat certified drivers because they know they have been more thoroughly screened than non-hazmat drivers so even if said company doesn't even haul hazmat they may hire you over someone else because they know the federal government has screened you. Also you would likely kick yourself later if you didn't get it if there is a high paying driving job out there that requires the HM endorsement and you can't get hired because of it. Many LTL jobs require it and some of them pay pretty well and have home everyday positions which might be nice after you tire of OTR gigs.

 

I pull about one HAZ-Mat a week on average. Usually roofing tar in a dry van. It pays an extra $25 dollars to pull a Haz Mat. Not a lot but it get's me an extra $1200 dollars a year. I would not even bother with it if it wasn't worth my while. Back when I was with Schneider I pulled maybe 10 haz-mat loads in 5 years and of course they paid $0.00 extra for it so it was not worth it. But that was when a haz-mat endorsement didn't require the background check and fingerprinting.

I know the Knight Transportation idiots tell their drivers that sometimes the only available load to get you home will be a haz-mat. That's a lie, they never have freight going towards your home.

 

I have it. My company pays us an extra .04 per mile on all miles if we have it. Pretty much pays for the background check and stuff in a little over a week and the other 51 weeks of the year is just extra money. We do have alot of drivers though that still refuse to get it.