I wanted to know what route to take without delaying employment possibility. should I apply for the hazmat while getting my permit or should I wait till after I get the cdl a license? kinda of stuck because I will go for my permit in a day or two. noticed when filling out for your finger prints they want your cdl driver license number.
most times, your drivers license now, will be the same number on the CDL license when you get that. this keeps the record keeping easy for the dimwits at the DMV....... as for the hazmat, its best to take the test AFTER you get your license. this way, come road test day, you will NOT be tested as per hazmat rules. it will take "some time" to get the clearance from Home Land Security regarding the background checks, so go for the finger printing about 2 to 3 weeks before graduation.
I am going to start school next week and wht I decided to do is get my permit 1st.Then while I'm in class for the 1st week I'll study for all the rest of my endorsements..Sending out for my backgroung last..Its 80 bucks.. By the time my 3 weeks is up plan on having everything.Thats the plan anyways..ofcourse you know wht they say about plans..
I don't know about Georgia, but in Oregon and Texas, you take your hazmat test and then DMV tells you where they want you to get your background and fingerprints done. You might want to check on that so you don't waste your time and money. I took my hazmat with everything else. The hazmat test really isn't that different from the regular test. If they tell you run hazmat rules, just stop before going over any railroad tracks. They didn't ask me to do anything different for my CDL test even though my hazmat endorsement was pending the return of my background.
I had the hazmat endorsement for years.Then when they came out with the new background check fingerprinting,etc.I drooped it. I told the girl at the local liocense bureau that if sometruckin outfit wanted me to haul hazmat the they could pay for the endorsement.I went on to drive for a couple of outfits and never needed it.Too many drawbacks connected with hauling hazmat.Jus think if you are placarded and in a long line of trucks crossing the state scales,who is the DOT gonna pull around back for a check.Yeah you guessed it the placarded truck.I found enough clean freight to make a living hauling it.Now that I am retired fior about the fourth time I still keep my CDL up to date,but with no hazmat endorsement.Never know when I will see the need to hit the road again.
In my humble opinion I would say that if you have the money do it now. Keep in mind that you still have to wait for the background check to come back and that could take some time. Hopefully, it will come back before you are ready to take your road test so when you finally do pass you will be able to receive your official CDL license with the endorsement on it, and not have to pay again to get a new license later just for that endorsement to show. When I went to get my AP I was able to knock out all three endorsements the same day. Then again, I really studied for it, that might not be your bag, but the point is to take it as soon as you can. Lastly, in my experience my down time has been virtually non-existent because there ain't a load I can't carry. Hope that helps
id say get it first but remember that depending on what trooper test you for your cdl license test he might ask you hazmat questions or have you do a hazmat railroad stop. seems stupid to some but ive heard of such done. also will your state allow it? here in mass you cant get your hazmat endorsement until you pass the license test.
many states you cannot get the hazmat till you get the license, this is true. but at the very least, the finger printing can be done. (i do believe there is a 90 day time period the finger printing results are good for, once they notify you). then when one passes the road test, THAT day, take the hazmat written test. by then, if all went well, the results of the finger printing got sent to the DMV offices. i think in mass you can get (at least the written test done/finger printing done), they just cannot issue you the endorsement till the actual license is issued. now here lies the road test. many states will "usually" have you do a R/R stop. so one must be able to do so under hazmat rules........you may also be asked how would you pull over the side of the road with hazmats, and demonstrat that as well. never forget, the DMV tester can always ask you questions, besides just having you demonstrate your skills.
