How to get your HAZMAT Endorsement!

spacemaker · Mar 4, 2011

This is how I got mine. I got a CDL book from my State DMV, bought a set of 3X5 cards. Read each section in the Hazmat area and wrote questions on 3X5 cards with answers on the opposite side. Wrote 75 questions and studied them. Passed with flying colors (that means the test was easy cause I knew the answers). Cost was about $2.00 + DMV standard fees. The moral here is, with a little more effort on your part, it won't cost as much as buying test questions and you will actually learn it.

Truckers Keep America Supplied.

CondoCruiser · Mar 4, 2011

Each state is a little different in their order. Just google (state) cdl hazmat endorsement and follow the link to your states website. The questions on the test are about the same ones you read in the book itself. There's no need wasting money on online practice tests.

For example here is TN where I got mine.

Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME)

General Information

A Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HAZMAT) authorizes the operation of any vehicle carrying hazardous materials.
The Tennessee Department of Safety requires fingerprinting and background checks for new Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME) applicants and current Hazardous Material Endorsement holders at time of their renewal in accordance with Section 1012 of the USA PATRIOT Act. The federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require the secure transport of hazardous materials, including explosives.

Application Qualification Requirements and Procedures

Step 1

Must have a Tennessee Commercial Driver License.

Provide proof of United States citizenship or lawful permanent resident status and Tennessee Domicile.

Domicile means a person's fixed, permanent and principal home for legal purposes and to which he/she has the intention of returning whenever he/she is absent.

Provide a valid proof of Social Security Number (SSN)

Present a valid DOT Medical Card. This is also required if you are employed by a government entity.

Pass a vision screening and the Hazardous Material Endorsement Knowledge Test.

Complete the Hazardous Material Endorsement application at the Driver Service Center.

Pay the appropriate hazardous material endorsement testing and application fees.

Step 2

Upon successful completion of the Vision Screening and the Hazardous Material Endorsement Knowledge Test at the Driver Service Center, you will be given instructions to call to register with Tennessee's vendor to be fingerprinted as part of the TSA Criminal Background check and security threat assessment process.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Criminal Background Check

On May 5, 2003, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and TSA published regulations under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 requiring all commercial motor vehicle operators to submit fingerprints and pass a TSA criminal background check to obtain a security threat assessment from TSA before the issuance or renewal of a CDL that includes a HAZMAT endorsement. This criminal background check can take up to 90 days to complete.
Applicants for a HAZMAT endorsement (including most applicants exchanging an out-of-state license that contains a HAZMAT endorsement) will be required to obtain a security threat assessment clearance.
Step 3

After you receive your registration number you may go to any of the authorized fingerprinting locations to be fingerprinted. You do not need an appointment to be fingerprinted.

You will need to pay in the form of a Money Order in the amount of $82.00 (made payable to Cogent Systems). This is the only acceptable form of payment at the fingerprinting locations. It is very important that you have the "registration number" that you received by phone, your Commercial Driver License and the $82.00 money order with you at time of fingerprinting.

Step 4

After you have been fingerprinted obtain a receipt/confirmation or keep the receipt of the money order.

Once we have verified with Cogent that you have been fingerprinted, we will submit your HME Application to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the Background Security Threat Assessment.

If the criminal background security threat assessment is approved by TSA, the TN Dept. of Safety/HAZMAT staff will notify the applicant by telephone of approval. The approved applicant may go to the nearest full service Driver Service Center and get a new CDL with the Hazardous Material Endorsement.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Normal approval process takes from 2 to 6 weeks to be completed. You are required to re-pass the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Test every time you renew your license.

Adding HME to CDL: Applications for adding the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) will be kept on file at TN Dept. of Safety/HAZMAT Office for 60 days from application. If fingerprinting has not been completed within the 60 days, the application will be discarded and the applicant will have to reapply

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formertaxidriver · Mar 5, 2011

TX is test first, if you don't pass why get your background check? Also, if you transfer a CDL from another state, you have to re do your hazmat.

Freebird135 · Mar 6, 2011

American-Trucker said: ↑

OK, obviously I'm FAR from the most experienced driver on here but this is something that would have helped me a long time ago.

Neither of the Truck Driving Schools I went to nor the DMV were any help in figuring out how to get the HAZMAT endorsement.

First thing you need to do is go to www.hazprints.com and fill out the Application. It cost $89.25 and it covers the cost of the background check as well as the finger prints. (You DO NOT have to be 21 to do this part of getting your HAZMAT Endorsement)

Second click the "Locations" button at the top and search for a finger printing facility in your area. (You DO NOT have to be 21 to do this part of getting your HAZMAT Endorsement)

Third go get finger printed. (They CAN NOT start the background check until you get finger printed). (You DO NOT have to be 21 to do this part of getting your HAZMAT Endorsement)

Forth Call the "Hazprints" phone number (877) 429-7746 seven days after you get finger printed to find out the status of your background check. (They say it can take up to 120 days for them to complete your application, but I filed out the application and got finger printed on September 9th 2010 and I was Cleared to go get my endorsement on September 11th 2010.)

Fifth Call your Local DMV after you get off the Phone with HazPrints to check to make sure that they have you as Clear on there system. (It can take up to 72 Hours for the DMV to get the info from HazPrints.)

Sixth Go to your DMV and take the HAZMAT test. (You DO NOT need the letter they send you saying your clear to get your HAZMAT Endorsement, the DMV has it in there computer already that your clear) (YOU MUST BE 21 TO TAKE THE HAZMAT TEST AT THE DMV)

Thats all there is to it, $89.25 + your DMV fee's!

NOW the HAZMAT TEST:

1) It is NOT hard at all. Read through the HAZMAT section of your DMV CDL Book.

2) Then go to www.cristcdl.com

3) Click the button that says "Online Testing Center" on the left side of the page

4) Scroll down a little bit and on the left side of the screen click "Haz Mat Test 1"

5) Continue going through ALL 7 HAZMAT test until you can get every question right

EVERY SINGLE QUESTION THAT WAS ON MY HAZMAT TEST AT THE DMV WAS ON THOSE PRACTICE TEST!!!!!!!

I don't know if the DMV HAZMAT test is the same in every state but here in NC it's 30 Questions and its done on the Computer. You need to get 24 right to pass, and if you get 7 wrong you Fail. I got the first 24 questions right so it stopped, so I only had to answer 24 questions!

I hope this helps my fellow new drivers out there!

American Trucker
Click to expand...

im not saying youre wrong, cuz i dont know the law, but they wouldnt let me get printed or take the test til my 21st birthday

also, yes, that cristcdl.com is a very good site to practice the hazmat test...its got the exact questions on there

American-Trucker · Mar 6, 2011

Freebird135 said: ↑

im not saying youre wrong, cuz i dont know the law, but they wouldnt let me get printed or take the test til my 21st birthday

also, yes, that cristcdl.com is a very good site to practice the hazmat test...its got the exact questions on there
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i did it before my 21st b-day....might depend on where you got it done...

American Trucker

Scuby · Mar 6, 2011

American Trucker it depends on the state in which order you do the BG check. I renewed my CDL with Hazmat and I had to take the test first. My license is good for 5 years. The two year thing is when a company hauls hazmat they have to a refresher type thing every two years to keep the drivers informed of any changes to the hazmat rules and company policies.

American-Trucker · Mar 6, 2011

Scuby said: ↑

American Trucker it depends on the state in which order you do the BG check. I renewed my CDL with Hazmat and I had to take the test first. My license is good for 5 years. The two year thing is when a company hauls hazmat they have to a refresher type thing every two years to keep the drivers informed of any changes to the hazmat rules and company policies.
Click to expand...

thats what I was saying, for the most part how I posted it is how it gets done, but does vary slightly by state. My CDL is good for 8 years but my Hazmat endorsement is only good for 2 years, then I have to go through all this crap at the DMV all over again lol

American Trucker

LadyTrucker99 · Mar 6, 2011

I am so not looking forward to the fingerprint and background thing next year when i gotta renew mine. I just missed it first time around so its gonna be a process for me. LOL

Freebird135 · Mar 6, 2011

American-Trucker said: ↑

thats what I was saying, for the most part how I posted it is how it gets done, but does vary slightly by state. My CDL is good for 8 years but my Hazmat endorsement is only good for 2 years, then I have to go through all this crap at the DMV all over again lol

American Trucker
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theres not many things in life i dread more then a trip to the license branch

Scuby · Mar 6, 2011

AT that's strange. I don't have to renew my HM endorsement until I renew my CDL. Its one of two things. First the Feds could've change their policy. The second its a Ind. thing.

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