There is a huge sector of new opportunities waiting for you on the other side of the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) endorsement process. Adding the hazmat endorsement to your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is one of the best ways to increase your marketability and boost your earning potential. Without it, you’re barred from transporting cargo that includes explosives, industrial chemicals, fuels, radioactive materials, and biohazards.
Because the U.S. government has deemed certain materials as hazardous, drivers must be at least 21 years old to haul them, and a three-tiered process has been put into place for the endorsement of these drivers. First, you must complete all Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. Second, you must submit to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) fingerprinting and background check. Submit this paperwork early because the results often take weeks to arrive. Then, you can use that time to study and practice for the final requirement: passing the DMV HazMat Knowledge Test.
The Knowledge Test covers federal regulations, hazardous substance handling, and more. It includes 30 questions, and you’ll need to score at least 80% (24 correct out of 30) to pass (Virginia CDL Handbook 2026). There is a lot of material to be learned for the official test. As such, our experts have put together a scientifically engineered series of practice tests to ease this process for you and ensure you can pass the knowledge test on your first attempt.