Question:
The companies I am considering to starting off with do not have dbls,trpl, tanker. I have studied for all these but I figure the test will be easier if I just stick to what I need to get the job I am applying for. NOw 2 years down the road when I get the experience under my belt I may apply for a job that requires d, t, t.
Now my question is can I upgrade and take the specific written/driving for d, t ,t test? Or do I have to take the entire test over again? What is the upgrade procedure is what i guess I am asking?
Charles

Answer:
You can update any single endorsement anytime you want. You may have to make an appointment but sometimes they take walkins. I did a walkin. Just go down and ask to take test you want and pay the money. I upgraded my doubles and triples endorsement a number of years ago. Doubles and triples are under one endorsement. Tanker is under a single endorsement but I believe you have to have a Haz Mat endorsement before you can get the tanker. The tanker test does cover some Haz Mat questions. The same holds true with Doubles and Triples, there are some haz mat questions with that too.

Answer:
I believe that's correct. All the larger carriers want their drivers qualified for Hazmat, since many relatively safe, general merchandize loads contain HAZMAT (batteries, cosmetics, etc) that must be plackarded and handled by a HAZMAT qualified driver.
So get the HAZMAT endorsements for sure.
However, I'd suggest just taking them all the first time anyway. Failing DOUBLES, for example, just means you have to take it again sometime, and you'll know what to study for.
I don't believe there's any penalty, except maybe a one-week waiting period before you're allowed to take it again....something like that I think.
But DOUBLES is the easiest one of all - at least compared to HAZMAT. So why not just study all of them and take the test for all.
It can't hurt, and you'll know that much more about truckin'.
(a lot of new drivers get every available endorsement....employers might prefer someone who's studied and qualified themselves beyond the bare-minimum qualifications needed to apply)
[This message was edited by Shuffler on October 30, 2002 at 18:39.]

Answer:
I agree with Shuffler.
Something else to think about....
If you get the endorsements Now they are FREE...whereas, if you take them later you will have to pay for each individual endorsment separately.

Answer:
Originally posted by choclit snda:
I agree with _Shuffler._
Something else to think about....
_If you get the endorsements Now they are FREE...whereas, if you take them later you will have to pay for each individual endorsment separately._
Yup! Where I live, you pay one fee, and you can take as many of the endorsement tests yuo want to. If you already have your license, and you want to add endorsements, you still pay the renewal fee each time you go in. So get them all at once if you can.
_________________
@#*!%$^@!

Answer:
get them all
it also shows prospective employers your not a slacker
Wyle E. Coyote
Supergenius!

Answer:
In AZ, you have to pay for each endorsement test you take, but you can retake the test any time for any part you may have failed, including right then and there!
In fact, you don't even have to go to the DMV to take the test. You can contact any school and they can administer the test, including the drivers test, and they will hand you a paper to take to the DMV to recieve your license.
If you think you can do it, you can jump right from the written test to the drivers test and get them both done at the same time!
« Without respect for basic rights and objectivity, even a democratic government can be oppressive and tyrannical. »

Answer:
Thanks for the good advise. They do charge a fee here in sc from the extra endorsement. Yea I had planned to take hazmat(I use to have this license(C)), and airbrakes. I guess I will go ahead and try to pass them all. We have to go to one DMV to take the written test and then to another one out of town to take the driving part and that one is 20 miles away. What a pain in the azz
Charles

Answer:
Thanks for the advise again. I passed the test for all endorsements today (didn't take the passenger test).
So I will go to school at the end of december and after that take the driving test. Feels good to at least get the physical and written test out of way -->
Charles

Answer:
I know I will find this out in school but I want to know NOW lol. HOw are you tested during the driving part for the extra endorsements? Do I need to in addition to the van bring a tanker truck, doubles and triples truck or do that just ask you questions about these vehicles while you are taking regular class A test?
Charles

Answer:
The Driver hand book says you have to take your driving test in a representative vehicle. Does that mean if you want a triples endorsement you have to drive a triple trailor for the test or is just the 1 trailor sufficient? and how do you demonstrate the pre-trip for a triple? does the examiner just ask you to explain the adittional steps?
Ike -->

Answer:
Smart azz lol Well does the school supply the tanker? The extra trailors? Do most people take all the test at the same time or week or ,month?
I guess you would have to take it soon or the permit would expire
Charles

Answer:
You ONLY have to take the WRITTEN test for Tanker, Doubles/Triples.
*You do NOT need a Tanker or Doubles/Triples for your Drving test.

Answer:
choclit snda, thanks for your straight forward answer. From what I have read on here that is all you provide-->
When you change careers sometimes its like going to a new planet but I am learning more and more everyday and this forum has been very helpful
Charles

Answer:
Choclit is right you just take your driving test in a tractor trailer and that covers you to drive whatever your endorsements will let you.
aman
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Amann