Questions on adding endorsements in California?

If you have had your CDL for awhile and want to add endorsements, such as tankers and doubles, how does one go about this? Can I just go to my local DMV and take written tests without any skills tests? Also, do they add them on the same day or do they issue a new license?

 

endorsements are written test. just go to dmv and take the test.

 

For every endorsement EXCEPT HazMat, Passenger Bus, and School bus all you have to do is take a test on the computer at the driver license location. Every endorsement except HazMat is valid until you remove it. HazMat is the only endorsement that requires retesting,, etc.

 

Your endorsement is good the same day. They take your license, issue you a temporary paper license with the endorsement and in a week or so you get a new laminated license in the mail.

HAZMAT requires a TSA background check. Some states require you to complete a TSA background check before taking the HAZMAT test, others will let you take the test up front then do the background check. Either way, you won't get a HAZMAT endorsement added to your license until you take the test and pass the background check.

 

Just note ... in California you have to take the entire written exam, not just the endorsements if you already have your CDL.

 

Can you please expand on what you mean when you say entire written exam? I am in California; I have had a CDL for a while with a double/triple and tank. Now I am planning to take my HAZMAT endorsement will I have to retake the double/triple and tank or just the general and then HAZMAT? Thank you in advance!

 

Can't answer that I regards to other endorsements ... I have no endorsements, but was told I would have to retake the general when I wanted to get the tanker endorsement.

 

I know California has some messed up laws and regulations but I'd think it's like others, that you go in to the DMV and take the written test then go to a TSA site, pay the money and get fingerprints and then wait for the assessment.
If approved you'll get a new CDL although they probably will charge for that too.

 

Yes, this is correct! I just found this out today! I was thinking I can just go in, take my tanker endorsement test and that's it! Surprise! California hits you with having to take the WHOLE CDL test along with the endorsement test. Why does one have to RETEST on a test that was already taken? One of the reasons I am moving out of this state!

 

Yeah ... we're out. Building on property in Idaho ...