Florida Hazmat Endorsement Process — Step by Step
Florida moves serious hazmat freight — the Port of Miami, Port Tampa Bay, Port Everglades, and JAXPORT all rely on Hazmat-endorsed CDL drivers daily. Add fuel transport along I-95, I-75, and the Florida Turnpike, plus agricultural chemicals across central Florida, and Hazmat-qualified drivers stay in high demand year-round. Florida's process is different from most states — here is what to expect.
1
Complete Hazmat ELDT Online — $20
Complete DLA Academy's FMCSA-approved Hazmat theory course online in under 2 hours on any device. Your completion is automatically submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours — no extra steps required.
2
Complete Hazmat Application Form HSMV 71906
Download Form HSMV 71906 from the FLHSMV website, fill it out (except your signature), and bring it to your appointment. Florida requires the application to be submitted at the same office where you fingerprint and test.
3
Visit a DHSMV Office for Fingerprinting & Knowledge Test
Florida is unusual — you fingerprint at a Driver License office or Tax Collector office that offers Hazmat services, NOT at IdentoGO. The fingerprinting, application submission, and 30-question knowledge test all happen at the same visit. The $91 background check fee is paid at the office.
4
Receive Temporary CDL — Wait for TSA Approval
Florida issues a Commercial Driver License WITHOUT the HAZMAT endorsement on the day you apply. Your fingerprints and application go to TSA for the security threat assessment. This takes 4–8 weeks. You cannot transport hazmat during this period.
5
Receive Your Florida Hazmat Endorsement by Mail
If TSA approves you, FLHSMV mails you a new CDL with the HAZMAT (H) endorsement. The endorsement is valid for 4 years — shorter than most states' 5-year cycle. Total timeline: 6–10 weeks from ELDT completion.
Pro Tip — Florida Specific
Don't Book IdentoGO — Florida Does It Differently
Most states send you to IdentoGO for hazmat fingerprinting. Florida does NOT. Your fingerprints, application, and knowledge test all happen at a Florida DL office or Tax Collector office that offers Hazmat services. Call ahead — not every office offers hazmat fingerprinting. Save the trip by calling first.
Finish ELDT → download Form HSMV 71906 → call to confirm office offers hazmat → book single appointment for fingerprints + test
Florida Hazmat Knowledge Test — What to Expect
Before you sit for the Florida DHSMV Hazmat knowledge test, know what you are walking into.
30Total Questions
24Needed to Pass
80%Passing Score
4yrRenewal Cycle
The test covers federal hazmat regulations, hazardous materials identification, communication rules, shipping papers and emergency response, loading and unloading procedures, and transportation security. All questions come from the Hazardous Materials chapter of the Florida CDL Handbook.
Florida-only renewal note: Florida CDLs with HAZMAT endorsements must be renewed every 4 years — shorter than the 5-year cycle most other states use. Begin the background check process at least 30 days before expiration to avoid losing your endorsement.
Must be 21+ and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to apply for a Florida Hazmat endorsement.
Total Cost to Get Your Florida Hazmat Endorsement
Here is exactly what it costs to get your Florida Hazmat endorsement from start to finish.
| Item |
Cost |
| DLA Academy Hazmat ELDT (online theory) |
$20 |
| FLHSMV background check application fee |
$91 |
| Standard CDL issuance fee |
~$75 |
| Total estimated cost |
~$186 |
The $91 application fee covers Florida's coordination of your TSA background check. Unlike other states, you do NOT pay a separate IdentoGO fee. Florida bundles fingerprinting and TSA processing into the application fee paid at the DL office.
What Florida Hazmat ELDT Covers
- Hazardous materials regulations and classification
- Proper placarding and labeling requirements
- Loading, unloading, and cargo segregation rules
- Emergency response procedures for Hazmat incidents
- Driver responsibilities under FMCSA Hazmat regulations
- Hours of service requirements for Hazmat loads
- Pre-trip inspection procedures for Hazmat vehicles
- All FMCSA-required Appendix A to Part 380 Hazmat topics
Already have a CDL? You still need Hazmat ELDT if you are adding the Hazmat endorsement for the first time — regardless of when you got your CDL or how long you have been driving. The February 7, 2022 exemption applies to license classes, not endorsements.
Florida Hazmat ELDT — $20 Flat
FMCSA-approved, auto-submitted to TPR, accepted at Florida DHSMV. Under 2 hours on any device.
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3-Endorsement Bundle — Best Value
Need Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus ELDT? Get all three for one low price.
Hazmat ELDT Passenger ELDT School Bus ELDT
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ELDT to get my Hazmat endorsement in Florida?+
Yes. Federal law requires all CDL drivers adding a Hazmat endorsement for the first time to complete ELDT theory training from an FMCSA-approved provider before the Florida DHSMV knowledge test. Florida DHSMV verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before allowing you to take the written exam.
How many questions are on the Florida Hazmat knowledge test?+
The Florida DHSMV Hazmat knowledge test has 30 multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 24 out of 30 correctly (80%) to pass. All questions come from the Hazardous Materials chapter of the Florida CDL Handbook.
How much does it cost to get a Hazmat endorsement in Florida?+
Total cost is approximately $186. This includes $20 for DLA Academy ELDT, $91 Florida DHSMV background check application fee (which covers TSA processing), and the standard CDL issuance fee with the Hazmat endorsement add-on.
How is Florida hazmat fingerprinting different from other states?+
Florida is unusual — fingerprinting is done at the Driver License office or Tax Collector office at the same time you submit your hazmat application. You do NOT need to make a separate IdentoGO appointment. The $91 application fee covers the TSA background check process and is paid directly to FLHSMV.
How long is a Florida Hazmat endorsement valid?+
Florida CDLs with HAZMAT endorsements must be renewed every 4 years — shorter than most states which renew every 5 years. You may renew up to one year before expiration. Begin the renewal background check at least 30 days before expiration to avoid losing your endorsement.
How much does Hazmat ELDT cost in Florida?+
DLA Academy offers Hazmat ELDT for $20 — the lowest price available for FMCSA-approved theory training accepted at Florida DHSMV. The Hazmat + DMV Test Prep bundle is $30. No hidden fees, no subscriptions.
How long does it take to get a Hazmat endorsement in Florida?+
The full process takes 6–10 weeks. ELDT theory takes under 2 hours. Florida hazmat fingerprinting and TSA background check takes 4–8 weeks. You must complete ELDT first, then visit a DL office for fingerprinting AND the knowledge test. Florida issues a temporary CDL without the endorsement immediately and mails the new license once TSA approves.
What is the minimum age for a Florida Hazmat endorsement?+
You must be at least 21 years old to transport hazardous materials in interstate commerce. This is a federal requirement. You must also be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent residency status.
How do I verify my ELDT completion in Florida?+
Your completion is automatically submitted to the FMCSA TPR within 24 hours of finishing the course. Verify at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov. Florida DHSMV checks your TPR status automatically before allowing you to take the Hazmat knowledge test.
Does Florida DHSMV accept DLA Academy ELDT?+
Yes. DLA Academy is a registered FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) provider. Florida DHSMV verifies ELDT completion directly through the FMCSA TPR system. Your completion is submitted automatically within 24 hours of finishing the course.
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