Have your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and are looking for higher pay and more job opportunities? Adding the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) endorsement is the perfect way to achieve that! Due to the extra steps, precautions, and specialization required for a HazMat endorsement, employers often pay a premium to secure endorsed drivers.
The U.S. government has classified certain materials as hazardous, and the steps toward certification outlined below are in place to protect you, the public, and the environment. In Missouri, industries like fossil fuels, manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and even nuclear power plants depend on certified Hazmat drivers for their transport needs. Without the endorsement, some of the best-paying work in the industry is off-limits to you.
The Hazmat endorsement legally authorizes drivers to transport sensitive and dangerous cargo. This includes explosives, industrial chemicals, radioactive materials, and infectious substances. To qualify, you must be at least 21 years old. The first major step is to make sure all Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements have been met. Second, you’ll need to complete a TSA fingerprinting and background check. This process often takes weeks for results, so you’ll want to submit these requirements and use the wait time to study for the third and final hurdle: the HazMat Knowledge Test administered by the DOR.