A truck driver is required to get a HAZMAT endorsement to haul loads that are considered hazardous materials. This takes some extra time, and money to complete the process. There are required TSA background checks, a written test, as well as a physical examination by a DOT doctor. And of course, you already need to possess a CDL truck driver’s license. Deciding to get a HAZMAT endorsement along with your CDL license can be very beneficial to a truck driver. Here are 3 key reasons CDL truck drivers get a HAZMAT endorsement.
1. More Opportunities
Companies that ship any type of flammable, explosive, corrosive or anything else the USDOT has determined to be a “hazardous material”, require drivers that have HAZMAT endorsements. By going through the process to get this endorsement, truckers automatically make their applications more attractive than drivers that don’t have it. It also shows that you’ve gone above and beyond to invest in your career. This opens doors to jobs that require drivers to have this endorsement. And gives those truckers an advantage when someone is scanning through job applications.
2. More Money
Drivers with additional endorsements often find that they are paid more than drivers without additional endorsements. Drivers with HAZMAT endorsements typically get paid a few cents more per mile. Over time, those pennies can add up to thousands of dollars. The payoff of seeing those paychecks increase certainly outweigh the up-front costs to pay for a HAZMAT endorsement.
3. Required for Additional Endorsements
Getting a tanker endorsement in some states requires the CDL truck driver also get a HAZMAT endorsement at the same time. This is an X endorsement. Having this X endorsement even further separates a driver from other applicants when filling out a job application. This allows a driver to haul large loads of any type of liquid or gas, many of these being classified as hazardous materials.
Getting your HAZMAT license can be very beneficial to any CDL truck driver. Regardless of what stage you are in your career. With a HAZMAT endorsement the job pools is bigger, the pay is likely higher, and overall earning potential as a trucker increases.
If you’re looking for HAZMAT truck driving jobs, complete your driver profile here, and be sure to include that you have that endorsement. We can match you to a great new job that best fits your lifestyle and driving preferences!
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Haha a few thousand dollars a year more isnt worth it. Its a scam buisness and you shouldn’t have to get it every 4 years. If you ask drivers with the endorsement questions they wont know them. Its all photogenic memory and then forget the material.
It’s good to know that truckers with more endorsements typically earn more over their lifetime. My brother wants to get into the trucking business, but he currently only has a basic drivers license. I’ll pass this information along to him so that he can look further into his options for getting more endorsements.
Great, we’re glad this article will help your brother! If he is looking for a CDL job, we’d be happy to help him find companies that match what he’s looking for from a pay, home time, and experience standpoint.
My husband wants to become a truck driver, so I wanted tips on courses and exams he needs to take. I didn’t know a HAZMAT endorsement gets you a few more cents per mile that’ll add up to be thousands of dollars. I’ll have to tell my husband about this article, so we can look for the right courses and requirements to get the job he wants, thanks to this post!
Hi Sarah, we’re happy to hear this article will be helpful for your husband! After he gets his CDL, have him reach out to us and we can help him find a job that fits what he’s looking for. We work with drivers to understand what they need from a pay, home time, haul, and benefits standpoint to make sure they find a job they love. Thanks for the read!
I’m glad you mentioned that commercial driving licensed truck drivers can get more opportunities with a hazmat endorsement. My brother has been wanting to become hazmat certified to start making more than he is now. I think that opening the door to a lot more opportunities would be great for him.
Great, we’re glad this article will help your brother! If he is looking for a CDL job, we’d be happy to help him find companies that match what he’s looking for from a pay, home time, and experience standpoint.
I’m one year with my license,