While it’s not necessarily hard to get the hazmat endorsement to have a commercial driver’s license, adding one to your CDL can open up more opportunities.
If you’re a truck driver who wants to gain more opportunities (and earning power), then, adding hazmat transportation to your list of skills can be very lucrative.
Obtaining a hazmat endorsement can be a rigorous process, requiring individuals to meet specific requirements and undergo comprehensive screening. While it presents certain challenges, such as a background check, fingerprinting, and a written test, proper preparation and understanding of the regulations can make the process smoother. By adhering to the necessary steps and demonstrating a commitment to safety, obtaining a hazmat endorsement is an achievable goal for aspiring truck drivers.
Drivers with the hazmat endorsement on their CDL are highly sought after in many states. These drivers have many opportunities for mobility, and their salaries reflect their special skills. Understanding the basic facts of hazmat transportation is key for aspiring hazmat drivers.
Hazmat transportation is the conveying of hazardous materials such as; peroxide, flammable gasses, nitrate, radioactive substances, and explosives from one location to another.
The hazmat endorsement gives permission to qualified truck drivers to transport large amounts of hazardous materials. The endorsement of these drivers is carried out by the state governmental body ‘The Transportation Security Administration’ (TSA).
The commercial driver’s license (CDL) does not automatically give truck drivers the Hazmat endorsement from the DOT.
You know it's probably harder to get a CDL A with HAZMAT & TWIC Card (and all other company training) to drive OTR than it is to become a cop in most states.
Think about that! pic.twitter.com/UZUyRPyDeR
— Working Trucker (@workingtrucker) April 20, 2021
So how do CDL holders become Hazmat drivers?
The endorsement of drivers for the transportation of Hazmat materials follows due procedures and involves specific requirements.
In the states, before a CDL holder can begin the application process for Hazmat endorsement, the following requirements have to be met.
Must be a U.S citizen
Hazmat endorsement for drivers in the U.S is mainly open to citizens of the United States. Without citizenship or proof of legal status in the U.S, the endorsement cannot be granted.
Must be at least 21 years old
Although the legal age to get a driver’s license in the U.S is 16 years, to become a Hazmat driver the driver has to be at least 21 years old.
Possess a valid CDL
The driver should have a valid CDL in the state where they intend to submit their Hazmat application. If their CDL isn’t valid in that state, there’s a possibility their application t could be rejected.
FMCSA Approved Hazmat Endorsement Education
Own a valid DOT health card
A DOT health card is needed for commercial drivers license holders because the card certifies a good health state for the driver. It is absolutely necessary for drivers who want to gain the Hazmat endorsement.
A DOT includes the testing of; eye vision, hearing capacity, color recognition, etc. According to the FMCSA in the state of New Jersey, the card is valid for 24 months. To get the hazmat endorsement, the DOT card has to be up to date.
Have no unlawful offences
Because the transportation of hazardous materials requires the expertise of a careful driver. Potential Hazmat drivers must be able to prove they have a safe driving record. . They must have no history of traffic violations. They must absolutely have no history of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A serious past driving offence can put an end to the application of a would-be Hazmat driver.
If a CDL holder meets all requirements above, the process of applying for a hazmat endorsement can begin. The steps of this process are as follows:
Fill out the Hazmat endorsement application
The application is needed for the government body in charge of the Hazmat endorsement, so they have key information on the driver to help them make their decision.
This application can be carried out online or in-person at either a DMV OR TSA center. This can vary from state to state, so applicants should check before they apply.
Also, the application process involves submitting fingerprints. Without fingerprints, the process can not be completed and accepted.
All necessary documents such as a drivers’ CDL, DOT card, and birth certificate must be shown as part of the application.
The applicant will need to pay a fee to submit their application. This fee varies from state to state but is around $90 on average.
Complete a background check
After the submission of a hazmat driver application, a background check on the applicant is carried out by the TSA to determine if the driver is eligible for approval.
An applicant is required to submit all necessary information in order for the TSA to complete the background check. Without including this information, the driver’s application is likely to be cancelled. The background check is mandatory in all 50 states.
The fee for the background check is non-refundable. If any criminal offences are discovered, the application will likely be rejected.
This includes applicants that would possibly fail the HME exam after passing the application stage.
After the application is submitted, the applicant will receive a reply within 60 days. At this point, the driver will find out if their application was rejected, or if they will be moving to the next step in the process: the HME exam.
Study and take the test
Before a CDL holder can become a successful hazmat beginner driver, the applicant will have to pass the hazmat written examination.
After their application has been approved, applicants should take to take the approval documentation to the DMV in their state.
Once this is done, applicants should begin studying for the Hazmat test. It is recommended to use different resources and to study both online and by book reading.
It is also recommended that applicants study the CDL manual of the state they’ve applied in, and pay special attention to the chapter on hazardous materials.
Once applicants pass the written test, they will receive their Hazmat endorsement. The endorsement is valid in most states for four years
If denied an HME endorsement, there may be some grounds for an applicant to try to appeal the decision. As an example: if criminal charges were found during a background check, but the applicant was found not guilty, they may be able to convince the TSA to reverse their decision.
The TSA typically responds within 30 days of receiving the appeal. If no response comes within that period, the applicant will be contacted, stating that the rejection of their application has been upheld.
How to comply with hazmat regulations?
In compliance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), hazmat employees registered to DOT must have complete hazardous materials training.
Training requirement:
General Awareness. All hazmat employees must be well-informed about the objectives and significance of the HMR.
Function-specific training. In this training, individuals will learn about the essential skills and abilities of a hazmat employee to perform their job.
Safety and security training. Hazmat employees will be given awareness about the different hazards and risk information in handling hazardous materials. Additionally, they will also be trained about the basic emergency response procedures and security implementation applicable during the transportation of hazardous materials.
This training is required for individuals who will handle, prepare, manage, or transport dangerous materials, including hazardous wastes, substances, or pollutants.
Sources
1. Hazardous material ( HAZMAT) Endorsement (HME). New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.accessed April 8,2021,https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/drivertopics/cdlendorsements.htm
2. Hazmat Endorsement.Transportation Security Administration.accessed April 8,2021, https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement
3. What is a DOT medical card.CDL.com.accessed April 8,202,https://www.cdl.com/cdl-faq/dot/what-is-dot-medical-card
4. CDL Test Practice Questions (2021).Test.Guide.accessed April 8,2021,https://www.test-guide.com/cdl-hazmat-test.html
5. How to Comply with Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.accessed April 22, 2021,https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials/how-comply-federal-hazardous-materials-regulations
