Ive had some drivers tell me not to mess with hazmat because it's not worh it. More hassle, more paperwork, obviously much stricter regulations, more danger, for really same or very liitle extra money as non-hazmat. is it worh it getting a hazmat endorsement? I'd have no prob passing the background check so thats not an issue for me. but is it worth the hassle and risk?

 

As far as risk goes, the majority of materials hauled under a haz mat designation are not that dangerous. Things like cleaning supplies, paint, etc are usually given a haz mat label but really are easy to haul. It really is only if you get into hauling hazardous waste, radioactive products, explosives, etc that things can get a bit dicey, but those items are generally only hauled by drivers with a lot of experience and a great safety record.

While there are many companies that no longer require a haz mat endorsement there are still enough that do that not having it can really limit your employment choices.

I have had haz mat on my CDL from day one (1998) and I have probably hauled less that 10 haz mat loads in that time pulling general freight in vans and reefers.

IMHO if you do not mind paying the processing fee you might as well get it. You may never need it, but it would be there if you do.

 

HazMat is no biggie. More of a pain in the butt than anything. Especially if you're a smoker.

 

Lets see....you don't bother getting a hazmat endorsement, because your company does not require you to have one....though they do get hazmat loads to pull.

Ok, now you're sitting in a place, waiting for a load...you've been sitting since the day before, and along comes "Joe", he just got unloaded a couple of hours ago...and he got a load assignment....you didn't. Why, because he is going to go and pick up a hazmat load while you might sit even longer.

Gee, I can't think of any reason to get a hazmat endorsement.

My driving job "requires" it. How many hazmat loads do I pull....about 30 to 35% of my loads are hazmat.

Dangerous? No. Only a dangerous driver is dangerous. More paperwork? Maybe a little, but its no big deal. More rules? Yes, some. Nothing that really redefines the wheel though.

I've had my Hazmat endorsement since I got my CDL years ago. Its paid off.

 

Yes it can be the difference between having a job or not having a job, or like Skywalker said, between having a load or not having

 

Realize that with the new requirements on getting your hazmat, many of drivers have been grandfathered in certain states, meaning they don't have to go through the process until their current hazmat endorsement expires, and now that the majority are coming up on their renewel and bam.. with certain felonies and NOT being a U.S. citizen you cannot get a hazmat endorsement... many of dirvers are losing their endorsement and this will and has opened up the hazmat market both in job opportunities and more pay.. I have seen ads where co. are paying more per mile if you have your hazmat whether or not you are hauling hazmat items... I say get it... it opens up alot more opportunities for you.

 

Get it unless a background check wouldn't be passed. As previous posters stated, more employment opportunities, more load opportunites. What's not to like. BOL

 

[ but is it worth the hassle and risk?[/quote]

just ask this widow..



http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedconten...n.7438988.html

 

accidents happen and you accept them especially when you haul fuel for a living. he knew the risks and succumbed to those risks as a result

 

Skywalker put it very well

usx doesn't require has-mat but our base pay is higher because we both have it and more if the load is has-mat. about 15% of what we pull has some has-mat in it.
we get longer runs with less downtime because we have it.

some customers "like Fedex and others" every load MAY BE has-mat so only has-mat teams get them. also usx paid for the background check.
so does it pay to have it YES