How much studying do you do during the 5 years?

I never studied, I just did the online practice tests on trucker country and they were pretty much identical to the ones on the CA DMV test. I have had my hazmat for 12 years and only had to take the test once. Every time I've renewed my license they never made me take any of the tests. I asked about that last time I was at the DMV, they said it's a random selection, and they will send you a letter if you are selected to take any tests the next time you are up for renewal.

 

Find that hard to believe, I’ve had my Hazmat for at least 30 years and at every renewal (5 yrs) I have to go to DMV, (California) and take the Hazmat test only. I use TTR and DMV genie practice test to study.

 

Yes. When My HazMat is up for renewal I study the same HazMat 10+ practice tests on TruckerCountry.com over a couple of days or a week, and then walk in, get my 85% score and keep going. I usually don't look at the state's CDL manual, which is why I'm missing the 3 or 4 questions I do miss. I was a bookworm in school, but eventually learned I could pass with a passing score or keep dedicating my life to getting another 100%. I chose the passing score and a life.

Here's a link on how I pass any endorsement test without memorizing answers, every words of the manual.
Passing your CLP/CDL Endorsement Tests - HowTo

 

Every HazMat test I've seen is asking most questions about all classes of HazMat and a few specifics about particular classes like Explosive, Radioactive, Flammable because there are those classes have some items that only apply to them. I've never seen a HazMat test online or IRL where they get deep into specifics of 1 class, except as described above. Look at the practice tests on TruckerCountry.com Any random HM test will give a good idea about EVERY HM test. It's natural to think there is some NASA-level deep-dive into the details. I haven't seen one in 3 decades.

 

My most recent renewal was 09/2023. I went to the DMV prepared, having done the practice tests. Turned in my paperwork and documents to the lady, paid the fee, and she said OK all set. I asked if I needed to take any tests. She looked at her computer and said "no, you aren't flagged to take any tests". I asked what that meant. That's when she explained the random selection process to me.

 

I had something unusual happen when I renewed my HazMat recently. I got a letter in the mail from the state telling me about needing a renewal of HM in so many days. I did fingerprints, studied, showed up at the state driver license office/DMV and when I checked in and was expecting to be directed to the room for computer testing, the clerk said something like "your endorsement doesn't expire for 3 more years. Why are you here?" I gave her my letter from the state showing where it said to come renew the HM. She said "oh yeah, I have that letter in your file." After a while they sent me to the testing room. Everything was normal and I passed. Could it be some people or only random people with an expiring HM are required to re-take the computer test? I wonder if the confusion was because I wasn't randomly selected to take the computer test, but testing will override the "not selected for testing" status? I had assumed EVERYONE renewing HM re-took the test every time they renewed HM. I guess what I'm reading in this thread is it's not EVERY person renewing HM and not EVERY time you renew HM?

 

For me personally, that's how it's been.

I did not take the test at my most recent renewal in 2023, or when I got a Real-ID in 2018. I only ever took the test once in 2013 when I first got the endorsement.

When it comes to my TSA expiring, I always get a letter from the DMV giving me a heads up on that, but that doesn't involve any testing or a DMV visit at all.

 

Well, I dont know how this random thing works, since I have had my Hazmat endorsement, at renewal like I stated already, if I want to keep my Hazmat, I have to take the test(hazmat) only.