From the steep, snowy grades of the Wasatch Range to the remote desert highways, driving in Utah offers both challenges and opportunities, especially for those with the HazMat endorsement added to their Commercial Drivers License (CDL). This endorsement permits you to legally transport federally classified hazardous materials. More importantly, it boosts your career opportunities and earning potential.
Common hazardous materials transported in Utah include crude oil, petroleum products, mining explosives, and industrial chemicals. Major employers like HollyFrontier Corporation in Woods Cross, Savage Services in Salt Lake City, and Rio Tinto Kennecott in South Jordan rely on drivers with this endorsement and often pay a premium to contract them!
The federal government strictly enforces three major requirements for this endorsement. Step one is to ensure all requirements of Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) have been met. Step two is the federally required fingerprinting and background check performed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Results can take weeks, so don’t delay this step. You will want to use the wait time to prepare for the third and final major step: the Utah DMV HazMat Knowledge Test. Passing requires at least 80% on the state’s 30-question test (Utah CDL Handbook 2026). This exam covers federal regulations, material handling, packaging, quantity limits, and safe transport configurations. That’s a list of broad categories that require substantial preparation.