When To Get Endorsements
Topic 3032 | Page 1
Gary, each state handles this a little bit differently, but usually you can go ahead and take the tests for your endorsements at the time you are testing for your permit. The only one that you will probably have to wait on is the Hazardous Materials endorsement. Most, but not all states require you to wait on that one until you've gotten your CDL.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
I recently obtained my CDL A permit. While I was talking to the officer administering the test, she asked me what endorsements I wanted to test for. I told her everything but the HAZMAT since I had not taken care of the TSA background check and fingerprinting part yet. She said I could go ahead and take it now to see if I would pass (which I did) and do that part before I got my actual license. So like Old School said, it depends on your state for the HAZMAT endorsement. Otherwise get all the ones you can now, it will save you time and hassle later.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
I agree with Old School, each state seems to have a little different slant. Nevada will let you take everything EXCEPT the HAZMAT until you get the security check thing done. They will allow you to get the endorsement with just the CDL-A permit but it does take the waiting period for the check to come back "OK" before you can take the test.
Stephen E. Birch
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate that
Gary
In NC, I was allowed to test for all the endorsements except hazmat. I had to wait until I had my HME background check from the TSA before they would let me test. I took the test after the background check was done. However, the hazmat endorsement is not on my CDL - A learner's permit. Once I get my full CDL -A completed, the hazmat endorsement will be placed on it at that time. I have 90 days from the day I tested for the hazmat to get my full CDL or I will have to retake the hazmat test.
Personally, I got the test done. When I finish school next week, I will have a full CDL-A with every endorsement. That was my goal so I could hit the ground running.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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Hi again guys and thanks once again for all the experienced input on this forum, I find it a fantastic resource.
I am still studying for my cdl permit due to the fact that I have to wait until August until I can apply for my permit due to the US driving license one year waiting period for new immigrants. I have been looking for the answer to this question but cannot find it.
I am aiming for my CDL class A. When is the best time to add the endorsements? Do I add them immediately after passing CDL permit and Air Brakes or do I have to wait until I have a full CDL license?
Thanks in advance
Gary
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: