Questions About The CDL Permit Test And Endorsements

Hello all. Jay here with another possibly stupid question:

I’m getting ready to take my cdl permit (written) test and was planning on getting all the endorsements that are in the high road training program (passengers, D&T, Hazmat). Does anyone know if you can take the written hazmat (endorsement) test before doing the background check and fingerprinting process? Does one have to be done before the other? I’ve looked up guides on the internet and no one really mentions a specific order, or anything about the permit test in particular. Most are just mentioning how to get a hazmat cert after one already has a cdl. I’m based in Kentucky if that makes any difference.

Hello Old J,

I am glad to see that you are looking at getting all of your endorsements when you go for your permit. I personally would wait on getting your HAZ-MAT endorsement until AFTER you get your CDL. As a former instructor at a school in CT, we always recommended this to our students. The reason being is that the inspector/state test proctor for your road test can, and most likely, test you on every endorsement you have on your permit. We had a student who had their HAZ-MAT endorsement on his test paperwork, and while on the way back, the inspector noticed it on the paperwork and brought the student out over a railroad crossing.... needless to say the student failed because they did not come to a complete stop at the required distance (white stop line) before the railroad crossing.... the student did the rest of the test perfectly up to and after that one sot on the test.

My suggestion, and it is only a suggestion, is to wait until you go and turn in your paperwork and get your CDL and then do the paperwork for your HAZ-MAT endorsement. You will also have enough on your proverbial plate learning how to handle a commercial vehicle, hours of service, etc...

Also, unless you are planning on strictly doing HAZ-MAT loads, or doing a majority of your loads as HAZ-MAT, it is not worth what most major carriers pay for HAZ-MAT loads (my former carrier paid about 5 yo 10 cents a mile while actually hauling HAZ-MAT loads) which barely covered the cost of the fees for the endorsement....

Also, if you want to get the endorsement, look for local companies hauling gas, propane, medical waste, or chemical companies like simonize.....

Hello all. Jay here with another possibly stupid question:

I’m getting ready to take my cdl permit (written) test and was planning on getting all the endorsements that are in the high road training program (passengers, D&T, Hazmat). Does anyone know if you can take the written hazmat (endorsement) test before doing the background check and fingerprinting process? Does one have to be done before the other? I’ve looked up guides on the internet and no one really mentions a specific order, or anything about the permit test in particular. Most are just mentioning how to get a hazmat cert after one already has a cdl. I’m based in Kentucky if that makes any difference.

Howdy, Jay!

Many threads on this, on TT. Type 'hazmat' (without the quotes, of course...) in the large white bar at the top of this forum.

Hope this helps!

~ Anne ~

ps: So much has changed, in & thru Covid (bs) so .... look for the current info! Wish ya well !

pps: The mods & pros should chime in soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Hello Old J,

I am glad to see that you are looking at getting all of your endorsements when you go for your permit. I personally would wait on getting your HAZ-MAT endorsement until AFTER you get your CDL. As a former instructor at a school in CT, we always recommended this to our students. The reason being is that the inspector/state test proctor for your road test can, and most likely, test you on every endorsement you have on your permit. We had a student who had their HAZ-MAT endorsement on his test paperwork, and while on the way back, the inspector noticed it on the paperwork and brought the student out over a railroad crossing.... needless to say the student failed because they did not come to a complete stop at the required distance (white stop line) before the railroad crossing.... the student did the rest of the test perfectly up to and after that one sot on the test.

My suggestion, and it is only a suggestion, is to wait until you go and turn in your paperwork and get your CDL and then do the paperwork for your HAZ-MAT endorsement. You will also have enough on your proverbial plate learning how to handle a commercial vehicle, hours of service, etc...

Also, unless you are planning on strictly doing HAZ-MAT loads, or doing a majority of your loads as HAZ-MAT, it is not worth what most major carriers pay for HAZ-MAT loads (my former carrier paid about 5 yo 10 cents a mile while actually hauling HAZ-MAT loads) which barely covered the cost of the fees for the endorsement....

Also, if you want to get the endorsement, look for local companies hauling gas, propane, medical waste, or chemical companies like simonize.....

Chris you make a very good point. Perhaps it will be in my best interest to wait a while and acquire a little bit of experience before jumping in on that part of the endorsements. This way I can focus more of my study time on other parts of the permit test (my AirGas delivery driver says airbrakes was always the tough part of the test for him). I appreciate all the responses I get from you helpful folks. Hopefully soon I will be able to contribute more to this forum instead of always asking simple questions.

I know Illinois requires the background check before they let you test for the endorsement, but I'm not sure if that's based on anything or just Illinois being their usual obnoxious bureaucratic selves.

Hello all. Jay here with another possibly stupid question:

I’m getting ready to take my cdl permit (written) test and was planning on getting all the endorsements that are in the high road training program (passengers, D&T, Hazmat). Does anyone know if you can take the written hazmat (endorsement) test before doing the background check and fingerprinting process? Does one have to be done before the other? I’ve looked up guides on the internet and no one really mentions a specific order, or anything about the permit test in particular. Most are just mentioning how to get a hazmat cert after one already has a cdl. I’m based in Kentucky if that makes any difference.