Question:
Two of the three companies i am looking to drive for requires i take the hazmat test for my permit.I just got off the phone with Millis and they dont require hazmat. I am probably going to sign on with Millis. Would it be smart for me to get the hazmat endorsement anyhow? Does the hazmat cost extra? If i left Millis for another company that requires hazmat would i have to take all tests over again? I live in Pennsylvania if that makes a difference. Thanks for any info you can give me.

Answer:
Definately yes. Get your haz mat endorsement. It will make you a lot more hireable in the future as many companies require you to have this endorsement even if they rarely haul haz mat loads.
While we are on the subject of endorsements I would also suggest you take your tests for tankers and double/triples, as this too will help open up more possibilites in the future.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Even if you do Not need it for this carrier.
Chances are you are Not going to be with the same carrier for the duration of your drving career...and the Next carreir you apply at might require it.
As UTurn stated...it will definately make you more hireable in the future if you have it.
I also agree about getting doubles/triples endoresments as well as tanker.(you never know when/if you may decide to get into a different area of trking.)
I'm not sure about your state, but...
Here in Oklahoma, All endorsements are FREE when you get them at the beginning.
BUT, if you do Not get the endorsements now & decide that you Want them Next yr, then you Will have to Pay for Each one of them next yr.
Sooooo,the best thing to do is get them Now while they are FREE.(even if you Never use them)

Answer:
I'm with the other posters on this one. Get hazmat. Perhaps you should just take all the tests while you're there. Doubles & tanker may very well come in usefull in the future. I would also go ahead & get passenger also. I've known a couple truckers that pick up a few extra bucks doing some part time tour bus driving.
Where in PA are you at??

Answer:
Y E S Y E S........don't leave home without it...hehe no seriously you never know when you will need it and most all major companies require it, even if you never haul the stuff.
if you go with millis fine, but you don't know now how that will go and is easier getting it now than going back to do it later.......but of course if you do skip it now you can do that.
GREG - a.k.a. Married Man
"Hakuna Matata...Means No Worries"


Answer:
Yes

Answer:
I got ALL endorsements the first time except Passenger & motorcycle.
Only reason I Didn't get those 2 is b/c I needed a bus & motorcycle to take the drving test in.
All other endorsements only require a Regular 18wheeler, whereas a bus & motorcycle is required for those endorsements.
Unless you get lucky like my friend did.
He never took the passenger test(neither written or drving) or the motorcycle test...BUT somehow the endorsements ended up on his CDL.

Answer:
I am from Reynoldsville. Its in between punxsutawney and Dubois. About 90 miles of Pittsburgh. Thanks everyone for the advise.

Answer:
90 miles north of Pittsburgh that is.

Answer:
No thank you. If I have an endorsement, someone will want me to haul the stuff.
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." pogo

Answer:
Since you're an O/O you obviously have a say in the loads you haul.....
Josh, is a wannabe/newbie(company drvr), therefore, he doesn't have much of a say in Which loads he'll take.
Besides, most of the medium to large carriers require incoming newbies to have Haz-Mat.

Answer:
Originally posted by choclit snda:
Since you're an O/O you obviously have a say in the loads you haul.....
Josh, is a wannabe/newbie_(company drvr)_, therefore, he doesn't have much of a say in Which loads he'll take.
Besides, most of the medium to large carriers require incoming newbies to have Haz-Mat.
And for some reason HAZ MAT comes up and everyone automatically seems to think they are going to be hauling cyanide gas, radioactive waste, or explosives.
The VAST majority of HAZ MAT hauled in this country by common carrier truck is relatively safe and can be found in most Wal Mart stores, for sale off the shelf.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.