Hazardous Materials Endorsement Requirements and Security Threat Assessment
To haul placarded hazmat, a driver needs the H endorsement on the CDL, and to haul a cargo tank, the N endorsement (often both). Getting the H endorsement requires a Security Threat Assessment (STA) through TSA-fingerprinting, a background check, and payment of a fee. The STA is valid for five years and must be renewed. Disqualifying factors include certain felonies, immigration violations, and terrorist-related offenses. The candidate must know the process: apply, get fingerprinted, pass the TSA check, then take and pass the knowledge test at DPS. Traps: questions claim the STA is good forever (no-five years), or that a state issues the check (no-TSA does). Also know that the H endorsement requires a knowledge test but no separate skills test, and that you must be at least 21 to drive interstate with hazmat. A driver with a hazardous materials endorsement must also comply with background check and reporting requirements. Rule of thumb: STA = TSA, five years, fingerprint-based. Worked example: A driver's H endorsement STA expires; the driver cannot legally haul placarded hazmat until a new STA is completed and the endorsement is renewed-even if the CDL itself is still valid.