The Importance of Hazmat Certifications
When you’re working in trucking, there’s no shortage in the variety of loads that can be hauled – the American Trucking Association states that over 11.18 billion tons of freight were moved by semi-truck in 2023.
However, some loads will require additional certifications prior to getting on board. One of these credentials is a hazmat endorsement. Here’s all you need to know about hazmat endorsements, and how obtaining one could enhance your truck driving career.
What Is a Hazmat Certification, and Is It the Same as a Tanker Endorsement?
A hazmat certification is an endorsement that is legally required in order to transport loads that meet the qualification for ‘hazardous materials.’ These hazardous materials can range from a multitude of items, but are often classified as such because they can cause damage or pose a health risk to people, animals, or to the environment.
Many will get hazmat and tanker certifications mixed up, as a lot of drivers will get the two endorsements in tandem; but no, they are not the same. A hazmat endorsement specifically grants access to hauling hazardous materials, regardless of the container it is being driven on. A tanker endorsement allows a driver to operate a tank vehicle to transport liquids or gases in bulk, as long as they’re not considered hazardous. Some items transported in these tanks may be hazardous, which would require both endorsements to drive it.
What Can I Haul with a Hazmat Endorsement?
Some common examples of hazardous materials you’ll see on the road are:
• Flammable Liquids: Gasoline, Paint, and Industrial Chemicals
• Gasses: Compressed gasses like oxygen, Propane, and Liquid Hydrogen
• Explosive Materials: Pesticides, Fertilizers, Acids, and Industrial Cleaners
What Are the Steps to Getting a Hazmat Certification?
Similarly to obtaining your CDL, there are a few steps required to obtain this endorsement. Depending on the state you’ve received your CDL from, there may be a few additional steps, but the general path for many is easy:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a valid CDL in your state
- Complete a TSA Threat Assessment test (either online or at an application center)
- Submit for fingerprinting
- Present all documentation to a DMV and pay and required fees
Depending on your state, additional documentation or testing may be required, so it’s important to review your state’s DMV website to determine the next steps for you.
The entire process can take as little as 2 weeks and shouldn’t take longer than 60 days to receive your upgraded license via mail.
What Are the Advantages of a Hazmat Endorsement?
For those looking to haul hazardous materials, an endorsement is required to get in the door and get rolling. For those who don’t normally operate in that lane, it’s still a great certification to obtain for a variety of reasons:
- More Pay: With a higher risk comes a higher reward. Many who ship hazmat loads understand that the items in their trailer can be dangerous should an incident occur, so the pay for these kinds of loads is notably higher across the industry to account for the additional risk.
- More Job Opportunities: While some jobs require a hazmat endorsement to get started, obtaining one on your own will help you to stand out from your peers and place you in line for more specialized loads. Even if your employer doesn’t regularly haul hazardous materials, you may encounter the occasional opportunity to accept a hazmat load and earn additional money.
- More Freight Opportunities: Whether you’re an established carrier looking to broaden your freight lanes, or an owner operator looking to haul in different areas, a hazmat endorsement opens up the possibility for hauling freight that others simply can’t. This goes for most additional trucking certifications.
How Does a Hazmat Certification Combine with Other Certifications?
A hazmat endorsement can be combined with others to further expand the loads you can haul. For instance, combining your hazmat endorsement with a tanker endorsement guarantees you are eligible for loads dealing with bulk chemicals or fuel. Having a hazmat endorsement alongside a TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card) will allow you the opportunity to haul to and from port locations and government facilities with relative ease. Provided you also have a passport, or pass card, you may also have the opportunity to haul hazardous materials to and from Canada or Mexico depending on the contract you’re working with.
Ultimately, a hazmat endorsement is a vital credential to have for anyone looking to work with hazardous materials, or drivers looking to maximize their time rolling. It does take a few extra steps to obtain, but the benefits of obtaining this endorsement will definitely outweigh the cost. At Melton, we’re always looking for drivers with additional certifications to join our team – learn more about driving for Melton here.