Thinking of entering the Hazmat arena, where do I start?

Have a small company located in Louisiana. We currently have a fleet of 5 trucks that haul belly dumps and flatbed. However, I've been toying around with the idea of, "what if", as far as possibly moving into Hazmat. Keep in mind that this is only an idea and very…no, in the extremely early stages of moving into hauling Hazmat.

I guess what I'm asking, where would I start? Needing information on what I need to do as far as endorsements, licensing, D.O.T. requirements…etc. Also, what do I need to prepare my self with insurance or are there insurance companies that are set up to be Hazmat friendly, compared to others.

I know this forum is rich with knowledge from members who have and continue to do work in the Hazmat hauling industry. I'm needing to read and learn and ask. Just trying to get the complete 320 degree turn on this side of the trucking industry. Just need to see what ducks I need to get in a row before I move on with this idea.

Thanks guys and gals.

 

endorsements start with fingerprints, can't think of the name right off hand. wait 30 days for letter of approval, take that letter to dmv, take hazmat test, if you pass, you get endorsement. hazmat isn't an easy test. you might have to take it a few times.

as for the carrier, you need insurance, and from what i've heard, it's not cheap. unless you plan on hauling regularly, you might not be interested.

 

Thanks Snowwy. I should have made this clear in my post, which I didn't. I'm a company owner, not a driver.

 

You need to hire me to Drive that Truck for you.

 

I worded that wrong. carrier carries the insurance.

 

Anyone? Hello? (echo…..) This thread die? Where are the Hazmat haulers?

 

320 degrees?

 

Oops, meant 360. LOL. See, lack of coffee makes me not proof read.

 

Call your insurance agent and discuss it with them would be the first step. Your liability will go up to 5 million if I'm not mistaken. If the pricing is agreeable, then getting authority will be the next step. I'm sure JJ Keller or the like has a complete compliance package for hazmat carriers.

 

Thank you, Forty. This is what I'm needing to see and read.

I've heard that hauling Hazmat be can worth its weight in gold in profit however, I do understand the steep DOT regulations, among other things, make it very risky.