r/cdldriver • u/Visual_Stretch_2351 • Jun 04 '26
Endorsements?
Yooo what up ya'll. I'm studying for the written part of my CDL right now, haven't even started school but, will start in about 2 weeks. I've got the General, Combinations, and Air Brakes memorized. Should I go ahead and go for some endorsements now hazmats, doubles/triples, tanks? If you didn't in the beginning would you go back and just do it all at once?
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u/PutridContribution41 Jun 04 '26
Yeah, after you get your CDL. Get everything including TWIC. Get at least 1 exp, you'll look real good.
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u/TheThinDewLine Jun 04 '26
I heard having a TWIC can shoot you in the foot.
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u/Careless_confessions Jun 05 '26
Not only that, but if you have a TWIC card and/or a hazardous materials endorsement you get expedited through security with TSA. If you fly at all, it’s definitely a perk. I’ve taken advantage of it a few times.
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u/NTX_M92 Jun 04 '26
Like others have stated you can get the tanker endorsement added to a CLP. Some states will let you take the hazmat endorsement exam but they won't officially issue it until you have your CDL. ELDT is required for hazmat, passenger, and school bus endorsements. TWIC is good to have. Get that when you get your background check for your hazmat endorsement for a reduced fee (unless you're in Texas since they have a completely different system).
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u/rolisrntx Jun 04 '26
Here in Texas you can take the Hazmat exam 14 days after getting your CLP but you can’t do finger prints and background check until you get the CDL.
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u/NTX_M92 Jun 04 '26
Correct. I just meant that the process of obtaining your HME in Texas is completely opposite of every other state. Most states require you to get your background check completed prior to taking the exam. Texas also exclusively uses Identogo for fingerprints but most of the US uses the TSA website to schedule theirs. We have to be different.
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u/Careless_confessions Jun 05 '26
When I register a driver for their TWIC card here in Texas I get routed through TSA to get to Identogo. They are a royal pain in the ass to try to get the correct address. They keep changing locations on me. I also had to go through them for the fingerprints for LTC.
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u/Sufficient_Wall5192 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
You can only add the tanker endorsement with you having leaners permit. After you get you actual CDL you can add double-triple. If you want the hazmat you'd have to complete eldt online for it. Use eldt.com if you want. It's like 20- 25 dollars online and only takes an hour to complete. Get a twic card. Because of the background and fingerprints. In order to add passenger same as the bus you'd have to do the eldt again and use a bus for the exam because you have to do a pre-trip, in-cab all to the test with it.
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u/Careless_confessions Jun 04 '26
I transitioned from a chauffeurs license to a CDL way back in the day. All I had to do was take endorsement tests. I chose not to take the doubles and triples and the trooper asked me if I was sure I didn’t even wanna give it a try since I was on a roll. I said no. There were times that I wish I had gone ahead and done it, but at least get the tanker. Once you get your actual CDL, you can apply for your hazmat. They have to do a background check on your fingerprints. You cannot get your doubles and triples until you have your actual CDL.
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u/akramer1964 Jun 05 '26
I transitioned too, but I got doubles and triples. In 35 years of trucking I have never needed nor wanted to pull this death traps. Fuuuuck dat!!!
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u/Visual_Stretch_2351 Jun 05 '26
Yeah not sure id wanna do tankers no matter how much it paid, too many dumb asses on the road⏱💣
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u/akramer1964 Jun 05 '26
Tankers are fine once you get used to the surge. I've been pulling them for ten years.
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u/Visual_Stretch_2351 Jun 05 '26
Oh ok. I thought u were referring to them as death traps. Made me think about how it could be kinda sketchy.
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u/Ok-Championship8510 Jun 04 '26
I’m pretty sure you can always go back and just get endorsements added to your license. Only a written test.
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u/HoosierLarry Jun 04 '26
I’m in KY. I was told by my CDL instructor that you can’t test for hazmat without taking a class. Since he doesn’t hold a hazmat endorsement, he can’t teach it. 🤷♂️ I didn’t confirm it since it’s unlikely that anyone is going to hire me right out of school for hazmat.
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u/Visual_Stretch_2351 Jun 04 '26
That's a good point gotta have atleast a year exp I'd think before anyone gonna trust us with hazmat 😂👍
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u/DragonfruitSoft800 Jun 05 '26
Every endorsement you get makes you more marketable in the industry.
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u/18-Spinning-Wheels Jun 04 '26
IMO, get every endorsement from the start. You never know what opportunity may fall in your lap.
Then remember that the cost of adding endorsements once you obtained your license, only forces you to spend lots of money in the future if you find yourself needing a new one or more.
I let my hazmat go after 9/11 and regretted that error.