What to Know

Who Needs a Hazardous materials Endorsement ? Anyone who intends to haul Hazardous materials must have the endorsement as a part of their C.D.L. to be legaly authorised to carry Hazardous Materials .

How long will the class take? This class is available online, and in-person. The Time it takes to complete the online class will vary from learner to learner, but the online version can typically be completed in a few hours. The In person Class will take up to 10 hours and includes Presentations and explanations of covered subjects such as loading and handling of Hazardous Materials. The in person class is much more in-depth. 

After completing the class, what are the next steps?

1. Bring your Certificate of E.L.D.T. completion to the DMV or Tax collectors office. They may have you take a brief knowledge test on the matterials covered in the class.

2. The DMV or Tax collectors office will have you obtain a background check

3. After the Background check comes back you will have the endorsement added to your Current C.D.L.

Why is it important to have a Hazardous Materials Endorsement? If you will be carrieng any Haz mat loads you will be required to have and maintain a haz mat Endorsement. You should also seek further training in that field reguarding Hazardous Materials. Talk to your company about further training. These materials represent the most dangerous loads on our interstate system and require specialized knowlage to move these loads. Do not attempt to haul Haz-Mat without the training nessessary to do so, fatalities can and do occure as a result of improperly trained personel moving these materials.

What Are Haz-Mat Materials? 

• As defined in the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) handbook, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) are products that pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property during transportation. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) classifies these materials into nine specific hazard classes. 

• The federal rules in the CDL handbook detail how these materials must be contained and how their risks must be communicated to everyone involved in transport. 

Nine hazard classes of materials

1. Explosives: Materials that can detonate or combust, such as ammunition or dynamite.

2. Gases: Flammable, non-flammable, or poisonous gases under pressure, like propane, helium, or chlorine.

3. Flammable Liquids: Liquids with a low flashpoint that can ignite easily, including gasoline and certain alcohols.

4. Flammable Solids: Solid materials that are easily ignited, such as matches or magnesium.

5. Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides: Materials that can increase the intensity of a fire by releasing oxygen, like bleach or pool chemicals.

6. Poisons (Toxic) and Infectious Substances: Materials that can cause injury or death by contact or inhalation, including pesticides and medical waste.

7. Radioactive Materials: Substances that emit ionizing radiation, such as uranium.

8. Corrosives: Acids or other materials that can cause severe damage to skin and other materials, including battery acid.

9. Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials: Other dangerous goods that do not fit into the other categories, such as dry ice or lithium batteries. 

Recognition for all drivers

All CDL drivers, regardless of whether they have a HAZMAT endorsement, must be able to recognize hazardous cargo. This is because: 

• Drivers with a hazardous materials endorsement are the only ones legally allowed to haul loads that require special placards.

• Even if a load does not require placards, drivers still need to be aware of the contents of their cargo.

• Proper documentation, like shipping papers and hazard labels, is used to identify these risks to everyone involved in the transportation process. 

What kinds of fines could you get for hauling Haz-Mat without the endorsement?

If a CDL holder hauls hazardous materials (HazMat) without the required endorsement, they can face severe penalties, including hefty fines, federal criminal charges, license disqualification, and potential jail time. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the violation, whether it was intentional, and the resulting damages. 

Civil penalties

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, enforces civil penalties for HazMat violations. These penalties are calculated based on the nature and circumstances of the violation. 

• Maximum daily fine: The maximum civil penalty for a single, knowing violation of hazardous material transportation law is over $102,000 per day.

• Violations causing harm: If the violation results in death, serious injury, or substantial property damage, the maximum daily penalty increases to over $238,000.

• Minimum penalty for training violations: The minimum fine for violations related to training is over $600.

• Separate offenses: Every day a violation continues can be counted as a separate offense. 

Criminal penalties

If a driver's violation is found to be willful or reckless, they can face federal criminal charges. 

• Jail time: Reckless violations can lead to up to five years in prison.

• Longer sentence for severe harm: If a reckless violation results in death or serious bodily injury, the prison sentence can be extended to up to 10 years. 

CDL suspension and disqualification

For commercial drivers, hauling HazMat without an endorsement is considered a serious traffic violation and can lead to disqualification from holding a commercial driver's license (CDL). 

• Out-of-service order: A driver caught without the proper endorsement will likely be placed immediately "out-of-service" (OOS).

• License disqualification: Multiple serious traffic offenses can result in a CDL disqualification for a set period. In some cases, the endorsement and the entire CDL can be revoked. 

Liability for the trucking company

The trucking company is also held responsible for these violations, with liability potentially extending into hundreds of thousands of dollars. If a motor carrier knowingly allows an unendorsed driver to haul HazMat, they can face fines of up to $27,500, with a minimum fine of $4,750.