What is the X endorsement on a CDL?
What the X means
Endorsement codes are federal: H is hazardous materials, N is tank vehicle, and X is the combination of tank vehicle and hazardous materials. Instead of printing H and N, your state prints X. Holding X does not mean you must haul hazmat. It means you are allowed to haul hazmat in a tank.
What you need to get it
- ELDT theory for HAZMAT from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, if this is your first H. You need 80 percent on the final assessment. It is theory only, no behind-the-wheel.
- No ELDT for Tanker. There is no federal ELDT theory record for N, so nothing is filed with the FMCSA. You just pass the state test.
- The TSA security threat assessment for the H part. See our TSA background check page.
- Both knowledge tests at your DMV: HAZMAT and Tanker.
Which jobs need it
Any job that hauls hazardous liquids or gases in bulk tanks. The classic one is fuel: gasoline, diesel delivery and propane. A tank vehicle is one that carries liquid or gas in tanks over 119 gallons each and 1,000 gallons or more in total. When that liquid is a placarded hazardous material, you need both endorsements, which is X. Chemical tanker and fuel delivery jobs often list X as a requirement.
Can I start with just Tanker?
Yes. A learner permit can carry the N endorsement but not H, so some drivers get N first and add H after they have their CDL. Once both are on your license, the state shows them as X. For the difference between the two on their own, see tanker vs HAZMAT.
The ELDT365 bundle
Our HAZMAT + Tanker bundle is $35 at /payment/go/x. The HAZMAT course is the federal ELDT theory, and we file your completion with the FMCSA the same day you pass. The Tanker course preps you for the DMV knowledge test. Both are available in full Spanish, and our practice tests are free.
Questions drivers ask
Is X a separate test?
No. X is what your license shows when you hold both H and N. You pass the HAZMAT and the Tanker knowledge tests, plus the TSA check for HAZMAT.
Do I need ELDT for the tanker part?
No. Federal ELDT covers HAZMAT, not Tanker. You only need to pass your state's Tanker knowledge test.
Do I need X to haul fuel?
Fuel in a tank truck is hazmat in a tank vehicle, so yes, you need both H and N, which shows as X.
What happens to X if my HAZMAT expires?
Without a current HAZMAT you can no longer haul hazmat, so you would no longer qualify for X. Your tanker endorsement is separate. Ask your DMV how it updates your license, and renew the TSA check early.
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