Endorsements?

[govols]

I'm getting ready to find a school and get my CDL and have a question about Endorsements (Hazmat).

1. How do you get these "Endorsements" (mainly Hazmat)? Can I get them at school? Where do you get them?

My goal is to find a local LTL job and be home every night. Looks like I'll have to "pay-my-dues" for a year or two and just be home on the weekends. But, it looks like when you get a year or two under your belt that opportunities open up. Most of companies seem to be wanting Hazmat endorsements and just wanting to be as well qualified and marketable as I can.

Thanks for any input!

[JLKKLJ777]

You will get your endorsements at the dmv when you take the tests and pass each 1. When going for your permit you will take general knowledge and air brakes tests. You could also take tests for tanker, doubles and triples, school bus, etc. The more endorsements you have the more valuable you will be to any potential employer.

In the case of the Hazmat endorsement you will first have to successfully pass the written (might be computerized) test. If you pass then you will be charged about $58.00 at this point. $24.00 for the FBI and $34.00 for the TSA. You will be required to provide an original birth certificate with the county (or city) seal on it and a photo ID such as US Passport or current Drivers License (so be sure you bring these with you). Once the DMV verifies your identity you will be given a certificate to take with you to your local police station and have your fingerprints taken. The police department will forward your fingerprints to the FBI where you will be given a Federal Threat Assessment review. About 4 to 6 weeks later you will receive your clearance. After you have passed your road test for your cdl and have the threat assessment clearance you can have your license upgraded with the Hazmat endorsement.

As for employability factors it is advisable to get your hazmat clearance. This will make you more versatile and valuable to a company.

[pro1driver]

i too would highly recommend that anyone starting out, to get all the endorsements they can, before there WILL be price spikes in the tests in the near future. afterall, our individual state governments need to raise cash somehow, and what better way to raise that cash than through the trucking "cash cow".....??

you will indeed be more apt to get a better driving job with full endorsements, rather than none at all.

[easttnhillbilly]

i agree with the previous posters but as for only being home on weekends you may have to pay your dues there to most companies want drivers to run weekend to make monday del app. and some want drivers to run 14 to 21 days before they get home time so do resherch before you take a job ask plenty of questions

[hillbilly frog]

http://www.truckingboards.com/trucki...ew-driver.html

http://www.truckingboards.com/trucki...ew-driver.html

http://www.truckingboards.com/trucki...ew-driver.html

http://www.truckingboards.com/trucki...ew-driver.html

http://www.truckingboards.com/trucki...ew-driver.html

[govols]

So, do you study on your own and then take the test at the DMV or is there some type of "extension" class at most of the CDL schools?

If any of you know of a website or a study guide to getting your HAZMAT, I'd appreciate any info on that as well. Thanks!