Question:
hi everyone, i have been looking into a few companies to drive for and they require that you have a haz-mat before they will allow you to come on board with them....my question is, is it really worth getting it or should i look around for a company that doesn't require you to have a endorsement such as this. thanks in advance

Answer:
Haz-mat endorsement and a dollar will buy you coffee.
No outfit I know of pays any more for it and many pay less than places that don't require it.

Answer:
most require it, but few ever haul haz-mat.
There are no stupid questions, only stupid people

Answer:
so if i decided to take the test, just how hard is it....i mean woudl it really be a big deal just to take it so i have it.....and won't give companies a reason to turn me down

Answer:
Test isn't any harder than the other CDL tests.

Answer:
Having the haz mat endorsement is worth it just so that it makes you more employable. Like already mentioned many carriers who require haz mat endorsement often only haul around 1% haz mat and most of that the average person really wouldn't consider hazardous.
As far as the test goes it isn't that hard as long as you read through the section a few times and answer the pracatice questions in the book.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Get the HazMat endorsement. There are practice tests at layover.com that you can take. As a flatter I've hauled very few hazmats loads, but it gives a company and driver flexibility in moving freight. Example - palletized bagged ammonium nitrate (fertilizer)and hair spray. If you didn't know, a can of hair spray and a lighter make an awesome flamethrower. BOL

Answer:
You can use the practice tests at www.cristcdl.com to study for the Haz-Mat tests.
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It's Very True that WITH the Haz-Mat endorsement you are more Employable than the average drvr.
As mentioned above....
Most of the carriers that require Haz-Mat only actually haul it LESS than 1% of the time.
The reason they require that ALL DRVRS have Haz-Mat is...
If they have a Haz-Mat load that picks up in the area that You are in....then they will just send You to pick it up.
but...
If you do NOT have your Haz-Mat endorsement & You Are In that area You would NOT be able to p/u the load....
They would have to try to get another Drvr over there to pick it up....and if they can Not get another drvr over there to pick it up the carrier will LOSE the load.
So, you see....it's Better to HAVE the Haz-Mat endorement than Not to have it.

Answer:
I didn't need hazmat, but I had to wait a long time at the license branch to take the test. So, I read about 2/3 of the section in the CDL manual, used some of what I learned about handling haz while working at the Indy FedEx Hub and passed the test with a monkey score.
In reality, any company which requires you to handle much haz will have special instruction and testing... or should I say, any company which doesn't want to get its a$$ sued off and shut down by the Feds will provide instruction over and above what is in the CDL manual.
HOWEVER, if you work for some of these (edited) outfits that will take any monkey and put 'em in the driver's seat without proper training, just make sure you do have a copy of the FMCR and make sure you follow ALL of the rules. ESPECIALLY with heightened anti-terrorist security in effect!!! Don't let some office-jockey or clueless dispatcher brow-beat you into doing something contrary to the regs! YOU will be the one who will not pass go but go directly to JAIL if Barney catches you doing something wrong!!! Make sure t's are crossed and i's dotted on the paperwork, and it doesn't hurt to carry a copy of the regs in case you get some goofball cop who is trying to make up the regs as he goes. You may need to show him a current copy of the regs to cover your assets.
Hope this is of help.
Mr. Clark (up to his nose in snow and sick of it!)
"What, me worry?" -A.E.N.—Groucho Marx 1890-1977

Answer:
most require it, but few ever haul haz-mat.
Yeah that's what most companies believe too. HA HA HO HO
Seriously folks whether you have 40,000 pounds on with placards or a 5 pound box a HM endorsement comes in handy.
Carriers that transport ANY quantity must have $1,000,000 of insurance, drivers must have the ERG in the cab, shipping papers must be transported as required (in the driver's immeadiate reach and in the door's pouch when the driver is out of the cab), and drivers must be trained as required per Part 172:
General awareness (HM endorsement meets the training criteria)
Safety
Function Specific
and per Part 177:
Driving and parking
Routing
So for what it's worth a driver that has a "H' or "X" is much more valuable to a carrier than a driver that does not when ANY quantity of HM is transported.
John Q.
Disclaimer: The views posted are those of the author. The accuracy of the rules posted are subject to the status of rules and regulations posted by the GPO and other Government Agencies. The author accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies of any posted regulation or interpretation. Readers should seek legal counsel for all legal issues."If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
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