Want to add a new sector of driving opportunities, increase your professional versatility, and gain access to jobs with potentially higher pay? Adding the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Endorsement to your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) can do just that. With this endorsement, you’re cleared to haul hazardous cargo ranging from petroleum and compressed gases to industrial chemicals and fertilizers. Major employers, such as Cummins Inc. (Columbus), Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis), Indiana Michigan Power (Fort Wayne), BP (Whiting), and ArcelorMittal (East Chicago), require Hazmat-certified drivers, so obtaining this endorsement grants access to this additional level of opportunities.
The federal government has deemed certain materials hazardous and has instituted several processes necessary for drivers who intend to transport such cargo. The rigor of the HazMat endorsement process is designed to ensure safety for drivers, the public, and the environment. After completing all Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, you must arrange a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) fingerprinting and background check. This is mandatory for all applicants, and the results can take weeks to arrive. We suggest you do this as soon as possible and then use the wait time to prepare for the next major step: passing the Indiana BMV Knowledge Test. This test covers federal regulations, safe handling, packaging, quantity limits, and approved transport configurations. To pass, you’ll need a score of at least 80% on the 30-question exam. All questions are based on information in the official CDL manual (Indiana CDL Handbook 2025).