Getting Your CDL Endorsements: HazMat, Tanker, and Doubles and Triples

Have you already received your commercial driver's license, and are now looking for ways to broaden your job opportunities while also increasing your earning potential? The best way to do this is by having endorsements. These may be earned after you complete the requirements to obtain your CDL. Truckers who have been in the field for a while will tell you that you might as well get all of your endorsements up front. The cost is minimal to take each exam, and your ROI is very good, even if you only end up using one of them. Plus, you never know what roadblocks might appear years later. You might say now that you would never want to have to transport hazardous materials, or navigate the road with two trailers in tow, but there may be times when one of these loads is available and you need the work, but are passed up for the job just because you weren't properly certified.

At Southwest Truck Driver Training, we can help you obtain your HazMat, Tanker, and Doubles and Triples endorsements at the Arizona and Nevada campuses. Each endorsement exam is optional, and does cost extra ($86.50 / test). In addition, the background check for the HazMat endorsement will cost anywhere from $80 - $110. General information towards each endorsement is covered in class. Should you decide to take one or all of these additional exams, we do have study guides that are more specific to each test.

Your Class H (hazmat) endorsement on your CDL will require the most legwork, as well as a clean record. As a result of 9/11, the U.S. Patriot Act requires that all HazMat endorsement holders have a clean background check / fingerprint clearance. This is what else you need when applying for your Class H endorsement:

• A valid CDL for the state in which you're applying for this endorsement
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residence
• Proof of your full legal name, identity, and state of birth 
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Valid DOT medical card
• Medical waiver, if applicable
• Passing score of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Knowledge Test
• Pass a vision screening test
• Pass the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) criminal background check, which includes submitting fingerprints, and don't forget to have payment ready to go for the fingerprinting and the background check!
• Background checks are valid for 5 years from the date of completion, and it must be renewed at least 30 days prior to expiration. You are only required to pass the written exam once.
• Photocopies of Social Security cards and other IDs are not accepted.

The process of fingerprinting and clearing your background check may not be started until the associated exams have been taken and passed. Once you submit your fingerprints and begin the background check process, it could take anywhere from 1-8 weeks to complete.  Cost of fingerprint cards is typically $15 or less.

Tanker (required if you will be transporting liquid in a tank) and Doubles and Triples (required for driving trucks with multiples trailers) endorsements are much easier to obtain. All you have to do is pass the written exam, and you can get started. Some jobs, such as transporting hydrogen peroxide, require multiple endorsements (tanker and hazmat). Another good reason to get all of them up front.

Now, you may be wondering about pay. Transporting items that require special endorsements typically do pay better. According to salary comparisons on Indeed.com, Tanker jobs pay an average of $10k more per year than transporting loads that only require a Class A.  Hazmat jobs pay about $7k more per year.

Have any of you obtained hazmat or other endorsements yet? What was your experience like? Comment below!