HazMat drivers earn nearly $11,000 more per year than non-HazMat commercial drivers1 and are eligible for the best jobs in the industry. This endorsement will open many doors for you, helping you secure a better future for yourself and your family. However, the written exam for the HazMat endorsement is challenging. You don’t want to fail it and have to retake it. Use our free HazMat practice test to study for the exam and pass it the first time.
Hazardous materials, often abbreviated as “hazmat,” are products that pose a risk to health, safety, or property during transportation. Some examples are explosives, flammable liquids, and radioactive materials. Strict federal and state regulations govern whether or how various hazardous materials can be transported by road. Most (but not all) types and quantities of hazardous materials can be transported only in a motor vehicle with placards (diamond-shaped signs) attached to identify the materials and their risks.
An endorsement is an additional qualification that can be added to your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to allow you to drive certain types of vehicles or carry passengers or certain types of cargo. A Hazardous Materials (HazMat) endorsement qualifies you to transport hazardous materials in a placarded motor vehicle.
You don't need any in-class training to get your HazMat. You can do it online in a few days. However, the TSA background check may take up to a month. To save time, you should start the TSA background check process immediately and let that go forward as a parallel track while preparing for the knowledge test). Here are the steps you must take to get a HazMat endorsement:
A HazMat endorsement can only be added to an existing commercial driver’s license. Here's how to get a CDL if you don't yet have one.
The ELDT course must be from a provider approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This requirement went into effect on February 7, 2022. Once you’ve completed the course successfully, your provider will issue your ELDT certificate and submit it to the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR). State testing centers can retrieve your certificate from the TPR and verify it.
Driving-Tests is an FMCSA-approved HazMat ELDT provider. Get your ELDT certificate and a Pass Guarantee in 2 days with our 2-in-1 HazMat Premium program.
The HazMat knowledge exam is typically administered by your state’s DMV or an authorized third-party testing facility. The written test will cover the material in the ELDT course and other HazMat-related topics. The good news? You won’t have to take any skills tests.
The Security Threat Assessment is mandatory and is conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You will be fingerprinted and undergo a background check. This process can take 60 days or longer. We recommend starting the process as early as possible so it can go forward while you are taking the ELDT HazMat course. Learn more about the TSA background check: Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment Program.
| Exam type | How many questions | Correct answers allowed | Passing score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice test | 30 questions | 24 | 80% |
The HazMat knowledge test comprises 30 multiple-choice questions, of which you must answer at least 24 to pass. The topics covered by the test include the following:
The fee to get a HazMat endorsement varies by state, but it typically ranges from $10 to $50. In some states, the endorsement fee is included in the CDL fee. Check with your state’s DMV for pricing information.
Unlike other endorsements you can get on your CDL, the HazMat endorsement is usually valid for five years. However, some states may require you to renew it more frequently.
Yes, you must renew your HazMat endorsement before it expires (typically five years from when it was issued). Each time you renew it, you must undergo another TSA Security Threat Assessment. Some states may also require you to pass the official HazMat written knowledge test again.
There are many benefits of having a HazMat endorsement, including the following:
HazMat drivers are in high demand and can command higher salaries than non-HazMat commercial drivers. For a stable career with good pay and job security, a HazMat endorsement is a great option.
