Endorsements

As far as adding them post permit test or post actually passing the CDL driving, inspection etc and getting full CDL they can all be added piecemeal as you want yea?

ie I can do my permit test today and add tankers in a week, month or after I've been trained and working

Travis, it is true that they can be added whenever you want.

We generally advise people go ahead and get them while they are at the first stages of this process. The reasoning behind this is that trucking is a very demanding career which involves a large commitment of time. It is simply difficult to find the time to schedule and take the needed tests once you are working in the industry.

An additional reason, aligned very closely with Old School's response about available time, is that having your double, triple tanks and HME when you are applying makes outfits realize that you are already certified, they don't need to get you trained and tested. While it's a matter of your available time, it reduces the post employment costs to them as well. And the HME is a complete pita to obtain - make the online appointment, drive an hour or so to the only place in the area that does it, and sit and wait for an hour while the power monger in charge sits in the back room playing CandyCrush and making you wait, before taking the digital fingerprints that requires all of about three minutes to complete. Because they can...

While I figured having more would be nice, I also kind of thought employers wouldn't care too much. I mean it's just a written exam based off of 30-100 or so pages from a PDF. It isn't like "oh, this guy has 10000 miles driving and loading unloading actual tankers or doubles."

Given I have until June before I even start looking I'll probably add as many as I can.

You need your TWIC for HME don't you? As far as I understand as soon as the permit is on your license you can apply for TWIC, yes?

An additional reason, aligned very closely with Old School's response about available time, is that having your double, triple tanks and HME when you are applying makes outfits realize that you are already certified, they don't need to get you trained and tested. While it's a matter of your available time, it reduces the post employment costs to them as well. And the HME is a complete pita to obtain - make the online appointment, drive an hour or so to the only place in the area that does it, and sit and wait for an hour while the power monger in charge sits in the back room playing CandyCrush and making you wait, before taking the digital fingerprints that requires all of about three minutes to complete. Because they can...

While I figured having more would be nice, I also kind of thought employers wouldn't care too much. I mean it's just a written exam based off of 30-100 or so pages from a PDF. It isn't like "oh, this guy has 10000 miles driving and loading unloading actual tankers or doubles."

Given I have until June before I even start looking I'll probably add as many as I can.

You need your TWIC for HME don't you? As far as I understand as soon as the permit is on your license you can apply for TWIC, yes?

An additional reason, aligned very closely with Old School's response about available time, is that having your double, triple tanks and HME when you are applying makes outfits realize that you are already certified, they don't need to get you trained and tested. While it's a matter of your available time, it reduces the post employment costs to them as well. And the HME is a complete pita to obtain - make the online appointment, drive an hour or so to the only place in the area that does it, and sit and wait for an hour while the power monger in charge sits in the back room playing CandyCrush and making you wait, before taking the digital fingerprints that requires all of about three minutes to complete. Because they can...

Travis, I agree with the others; get it while you're young. :)

I obtained my permit AND all endorsements prior to CDL school AND from studying the HRTP here.

I started with Schneider, who required Hazmat Endorsement anyway. As well as what Old School said about time, it meant there were a few times (early in my driving career) where other drivers were waiting for load assignments and I was dispatched because I had the Hazmat Endorsement. One of those loads was local (only took about three hours), paid $50 short-haul plus $25 for Hazmat. I had other loads later, that were dispatched as Hazmat, but the gross material was below the threshold thus, not requiring placards, but still paid me the Hazmat pay AND kept me moving.

My opinion; spend the time and energy now, while time is plentiful, to avoid finding/making time later when it'll be in short supply.

You need your TWIC for HME don't you

Nope, I have Hazmat and do not have one.

Like the others have said get them early on, the fewer trips to the DMV the better. Plus the Hazmat one can take some time better to just knock it out early.

Knock it out while you have time. I went back years after I initially got my cdl to get them and it was a pain.

Is there a TSA background check then? I swear I've seen something about one or the other.

If there's a background check only why not just get the TWIC as it's just a more in depth check afaik.

As with endorsements, does your TWIC help get loads as well?

You need your TWIC for HME don't you

Nope, I have Hazmat and do not have one.

Like the others have said get them early on, the fewer trips to the DMV the better. Plus the Hazmat one can take some time better to just knock it out early.

Is there a TSA background check then? I swear I've seen something about one or the other.

If there's a background check only why not just get the TWIC as it's just a more in depth check afaik.

As with endorsements, does your TWIC help get loads as well?

You need your TWIC for HME don't you

Nope, I have Hazmat and do not have one.

Like the others have said get them early on, the fewer trips to the DMV the better. Plus the Hazmat one can take some time better to just knock it out early.

The TSA background check is what is required to get your Hazmat endorsement. The TWIC card will enable you to enter ports, and Canada. These are two different things. Some drivers have both, some one or the other, some neither.

TSA / Hazmat Endorsement

Hope that helps some~

~ Anne ~

The HME requires the digital fingerprinting and TSA approval. It doesn't take a long time to get the answer, usually you get an update email within about five or seven days, and the letter comes in the mail about two weeks after the fingerprinting. That has been my experience the past two times I've gotten it. Be aware that if you get your license and HME endorsements in one state, things can get FUBAR if you move to a different state. I escaped from IL, taking my CDL and Haz/Tanks/Double-Triple endorsements with me to AZ. AZ put all the stuff on my HARD copy, but when I went back last month to update my MedCert, the guy at ADOT told me I didn't have any record of completing the HME in their system.

Keep copies of EVERYTHING related to your HME, including the letter and proof of payments. I was able to get AZ to contact IL and get the information, but it was a pita.