Renewing Hazmat Endorsement

Because more and more people who could potentially have connections to terrorist organizations are beginning to drive 80,000lb bombs. 40k lbs of Ammonium Nitrate + 300 gallons of Diesel fuel = a 53' dry van with self propelled igniter. I think some of the lengths they go to are ridiculous, especially with TSA in the airports, but if it keeps another 9/11 from happening, I'll suffer through it.

 

I think that some things that the government is doing in the name of "national security" may be doing more to foster terrorism than protect the country. I recently delivered a load to a port. Nearly everyone that I spoke with had a heavy accent and was obviously not from this country, yet these people are the ones checking my credentials and have control of the ports. I find that at other ports that I visit, as well. I wonder how well these people have been checked out? Americans who have never had a problem with the government and not Muslim are more heavily scrutinized than Muslims. It is primarily those from the Middle East that have been doing these crimes. While the government likes to make broad statements about domestic terrorism, those that I have heard about are either originally from the Middle East or have recent ancestors who have come to this country. In any case, it is these people who are creating the problems, but average Americans are the ones paying the price.

 

You WILL need to pay an additional fee for the TWIC. It's also true that if you use the HazMat background check for the TWIC card the fee will be less ($105 as G/MAN stated) but here's the thing to consider, if you've choose the $105 route, your TWIC will expire with your HazMat.


For example, if you've had your HazMat for 4 years and then get your TWIC and use the HazMat background check, your TWIC will only be good for the final year then you'd have to renew it again with your HazMat.

I thought that this was an excellent question from the OP. I did some research and made a post on my blog. Check it out if you'd like on Driving the Big Rigs.

 

This is GOOD information here.. I recently added the "X" endorsement to my existing CDL.. but was completely unaware of TWIC. My thought was that I might be able to keep rolling under a "Haz" load instead of sitting if that was all I could get. *NOTE I currently am running Intrastate and not OTR but who knows??

From what I've seen here some seem to think the Haz endorsement is worth it and some not so much. Currently my co. "I" do not haul anything that requires placards. However I could not help but think that a X endorsement was a good add to my resume, Now??? wondering?

It looks like most "MEGA" carriers require or prefer their drivers to have a Hazmat endorsement. How about it Drivers... do you have it... do you use it.... can you recommend getting Haz? and what about TWIC? Is there much need for it if OTR? And on another note.. How about a valid passport? Thoughts? please!!

 

It really depends on what you haul and where you go. Some carriers do require the hazmat endorsement, regardless of whether you ever even haul a hazmat load. Landstar is one that does require the endorsement, whether you haul a hazmat load or not. I did haul some hazmat loads when I leased to Landstar and also with CRST Malone, but that was before they started charging for the background check. With Malone I might have hauled 1 load per year. The load did pay more than anything else in that area, but hazmat usually doesn't pay much more, if anything, more than non hazmat loads unless you get into something such as radio active freight.

The TWIC is sometimes required at shippers who ship to ports. It can also be required at some power plants as well as ports. I have used my TWIC on a number of loads. In my case, it has been worth the expense, even though they could do the same background check with my drivers license. Eventually, you will need the TWIC for airport access and military installations, if the powers that be have their way. At least that is the rumor. Unless you go to ports you won't probably need the TWIC. That is where it is mostly required. You can still gain access at some ports without the TWIC as long as you have a valid drivers license. I have a good friend who decided to NOT get his TWIC. He is leased to a carrier and grossed just over $200,000 last year to the truck.

The TWIC is becoming required at other facilities than the ports. If you work at an airport or power plant you may also be required to have the TWIC. When I got mine, there were a couple of pilots and construction workers who work on power plants who were there for the TWIC. Frankly, I think that it is a useless shakedown for both TWIC and hazmat. They could easily do the background checks when you renew or apply for your cDL. But, that would not be nearly as profitable for the contractor or government. By the way, in most cases it is the same contractor who does the background check for both the TWIC and hazmat.

 

I was told by the Iowa DOT that background check is good for 2 yrs. ( as long as check was done within 2 yrs. of renewal).I asked this when I got my CDL. They wouldn't issue me for 5 yrs because my operator license wasn't due for renewal for 15 mos. So I went through about 5 people until I got a firm answer from a head honcho because I didn't agree with having to pay twice within an 18 no. period. Part of my argument was that since it was a new CDL, they should issue the license for 5 yrs. to begin with, but that went nowhere.