The cost of a hazmat endorsement in Texas

A hazmat endorsement in Texas costs $13 for a five-year renewal cycle. This is a single fee you pay once when you renew or add the endorsement to your commercial driver's license (CDL). You do not pay separately for the written test or the background check — both are included in that $13.

The $13 fee covers the endorsement itself on your license. You may also need to pay for fingerprinting if the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires a background check, though many applicants find this is handled through the standard CDL process at no additional cost. Some testing locations charge a small fee to administer the written exam, but this varies by location and is separate from the state endorsement fee.

If you already hold a CDL and want to add hazmat, you pay the $13 endorsement fee. If you are renewing your CDL and want to add or keep hazmat at the same time, the $13 is part of your renewal transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • The Texas hazmat endorsement costs $13 for a five-year period and covers the endorsement fee only.
  • You must pass a written knowledge test specific to hazardous materials before the endorsement is issued.
  • A background check and fingerprinting are required, though these are typically processed as part of the standard CDL process at no separate charge.
  • You can add hazmat to an existing CDL or include it when you renew, and the $13 fee applies either way.

What the $13 fee covers and what it does not

The $13 is the state endorsement fee only. It does not cover the cost of study materials, practice tests, or any third-party testing services you might use to prepare. If you take a hazmat course through a private training provider, that course fee is separate and varies widely depending on the provider.

The fee also does not include any costs related to your CDL itself — if you need to renew your CDL at the same time, you pay the CDL renewal fee in addition to the $13 hazmat endorsement fee. As of 2024, a five-year CDL renewal in Texas costs $99, so adding hazmat to a renewal would total $112.

How to add hazmat to your Texas CDL

To add a hazmat endorsement, you must first hold a valid CDL or be in the process of obtaining one. You then visit a Texas DPS driver license office with the required documents: your current CDL or learner's permit, proof of citizenship or legal residency, proof of Texas residency, and a valid Social Security number.

At the office, you will take a written knowledge test on hazardous materials. The test covers topics like how to identify hazmat, how to handle placards and labels, emergency procedures, and safe loading and unloading. You must pass this test to receive the endorsement. After you pass, you pay the $13 fee and the endorsement is added to your license.

The entire process — test, background check, and fee payment — typically happens in one visit to the DPS office, though processing times can vary. Your new license with the hazmat endorsement will be mailed to you within a few weeks.

Background check and fingerprinting requirements

Texas requires a background check for all hazmat endorsements. This check is conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of federal hazmat regulations, not just a state requirement. The check looks for disqualifying offenses, including certain felonies, drug convictions, and immigration violations.

You will be fingerprinted as part of this process. In most cases, the DPS office handles fingerprinting when you explore, and there is no separate charge. However, if you are explore for hazmat and your fingerprints are already on file from a previous CDL process, the office may not need to re-fingerprint you.

The background check can take several weeks to complete. Your hazmat endorsement will not be issued until the check clears. If the check reveals a disqualifying issue, you will be notified and the endorsement will be denied.

When you renew your CDL with hazmat

If you already have a hazmat endorsement and renew your CDL, you can keep the hazmat endorsement on the renewed license. You do not have to retake the hazmat knowledge test during a standard renewal unless your endorsement has expired or been suspended.

When you renew, you pay the $13 hazmat endorsement fee along with your CDL renewal fee. The renewal process will ask whether you want to keep the hazmat endorsement. If you say yes and there are no new disqualifying issues, the endorsement transfers to your new license.

If more than five years have passed since you last had hazmat, or if you let the endorsement expire, you will need to retake the written test and go through the background check again before it can be added back.

Removing or not renewing hazmat

If you have a hazmat endorsement but do not want to renew it, you straightforward do not pay the $13 fee when you renew your CDL. Your new license will not include the hazmat endorsement. You do not have to formally request removal — the endorsement straightforward does not transfer to the renewed license.

If you want to remove hazmat before your CDL expires, you can visit a DPS office and request a replacement license without the endorsement. There is a fee for a replacement license (typically $20 to $25), so it may not be worth doing unless you need the change urgently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to renew my hazmat endorsement every five years?

Yes. Hazmat endorsements expire on the same schedule as your CDL — every five years. When you renew your CDL, you can renew the hazmat endorsement at the same time by paying the $13 fee. If you do not renew it, the endorsement expires and you will need to retake the test and background check to add it back later.

What happens if I fail the hazmat knowledge test?

You can retake the test. There is no limit on how many times you can test, though you may have to pay a testing fee each time you attempt it. The fee for retesting varies by DPS office location. Most people pass on the first or second attempt if they study the hazmat manual provided by DPS.

Can I get a hazmat endorsement if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the offense. Certain felonies, drug convictions, and immigration-related crimes are disqualifying. The TSA and FBI conduct the background check and make the final information. If you have concerns about your record, contact a DPS office before explore — they can tell you whether your specific situation is likely to be disqualifying.

Is the hazmat endorsement valid in other states?

Yes. A hazmat endorsement on a Texas CDL is recognized in all other states. The hazmat endorsement is a federal requirement, so it works the same way everywhere. However, if you move to another state and get a CDL there, you will need to add the hazmat endorsement to that state's license as well.