CDL Endorsements: What They Are and Which Ones Drivers Need in 2026

There’s a lot more to the trucking profession than meets the eye, and oftentimes, getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is only a starting point. There are certain types of trucking jobs that go beyond a basic CDL, and that’s where CDL endorsements come in.

What Are CDL Endorsements?

CDL endorsements are qualifications that a driver can add to their CDL that allow them to drive specific kinds of vehicles or transport specific kinds of cargo. The exact endorsements available might vary depending on the state, but we’re going to focus on the five endorsements available to Class A and Class B CDL drivers, as well as a sixth endorsement only available to Class A CDLs. All of them require regular renewal alongside their CDL renewal, and some of them—H, X and S—will need the driver to retake the assessment and pass an updated background check.

What are the Best CDL Endorsements Available?

Hazardous Materials (H) Endorsement

Also referred to as the HAZMAT Endorsement, this one qualifies the driver to transport hazardous materials like explosives, gases, and flammable liquids. Because hazardous materials can be very dangerous, federal law requires anyone seeking this endorsement to undergo a security threat assessment. 

The Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment program checks a driver’s criminal records, immigration status, and any intelligence-related concerns. Drivers cannot move forward with obtaining a HAZMAT Endorsement until the assessment is complete. Once cleared, the driver can take the HAZMAT Endorsement Knowledge Test at their local DMV.

Tanker (N) Endorsement

Adding a Tanker Endorsement to a CDL qualifies a driver to operate tank vehicles that transport bulk, non-hazardous liquids or gases. This includes things like beverages, oils, water, liquid fertilizers, asphalt emulsions, liquid waste, and wastewater. Any cargo that includes more than 1,000 gallons of combined liquid or gas volume requires an N endorsement.

To get a Tanker Endorsement, drivers must have a valid CDL and complete and pass the Tanker Endorsement test.

Passenger (P) Endorsement

Any vehicle with 16 or more seats is considered a passenger vehicle, and the driver will need to have a Passenger Endorsement which demonstrates they know the skills and safety protocols to safely carry large groups of people. This would cover driving things like commuter buses, long-distance coaches, charter services, etc. 

Because an error in driving a passenger vehicle could cost lives, earning a P endorsement requires passing both a written knowledge test and a road skills test, and a P endorsement is a prerequisite for getting an S endorsement.

School Bus (S) Endorsement

The School Bus Endorsement is required for CDL drivers who operate school buses that transport students. Before getting this endorsement, a driver needs to have their P endorsement for carrying passengers in general. The S endorsement builds on that foundational knowledge to include topics specific to the safe operation of a school bus, like the danger zones around the bus, loading and unloading children, and railroad crossings. Drivers seeking an S endorsement must pass a written knowledge test, a road skills test, a background check, and a physical fitness assessment.

Tanker + HAZMAT (X) Endorsement

This is a combination of the H endorsement and the N endorsement, qualifying drivers to transport both hazardous materials and bulk liquids or gases. A driver with an X endorsement is qualified to haul hazardous fuel, chemicals, and other dangerous liquid or gas cargo.

To earn an X endorsement, a driver first needs to meet the requirements of the Tanker and HAZMAT endorsements and then also pass a written knowledge test.

Double/Triple Trailers (T) Endorsement

This is the only endorsement in our list that is only available to Class A CDL drivers. With the Double/Triple Trailers Endorsement, a driver is qualified to drive rigs that pull two or three trailers at once. Because of how much longer and heavier a double or triple trailer is, drivers need to prove that they know how to maneuver and brake because these rigs have different centers of gravity and require different driving and maneuvering techniques to prevent them from tipping or rolling over.

To earn a T endorsement, drivers need to have a Class A CDL and pass a written knowledge test covering everything from safety protocols to coupling and uncoupling procedures.

CDL Restrictions

While endorsements can expand the skills and opportunities a CDL driver has access to, restrictions can also be placed on a driver’s license that makes it more difficult for them to get jobs.

Some of the main restrictions are:

• E — Restricts a driver to operating commercial vehicles with automatic or semi-automatic transmissions
• K — Restricts a driver to only operating within the state where they got their CDL
• L — Restricts a driver from operating any commercial vehicle with full air brakes
• M — Restricts a Class A driver to only driving Class B or C passenger vehicles
• N — Restricts a Class B driver to operating only Class C passenger vehicles
• O — Restricts a driver from operating rigs with a fifth-wheel connection
• V — Used when a driver has a medical condition that could be a potential impairment
• Z — Restricts a driver from operating a full-air-brake vehicle if they completed the skills test with an air-over-hydraulic brake system

Which CDL Endorsements Should a Driver Get?

This will honestly vary from driver to driver depending on their priorities and goals. Endorsements can improve a driver’s employability and potentially also their financial situation. 

If better pay or higher earning potential is their main focus, getting an X endorsement should be top of the list since tankers are consistently ranked as having the highest average annual salary. If a driver, however, is more interested in maximizing their options while staying local, a Passenger and/or School Bus Endorsement might be a better bet. It helps to look at current job listings to understand what trucking employers are looking for.

Putting People in the Driver’s Seat

For both current and future CDL truckers, the right training program can set a foundation for success by providing in-demand skills and readying them for endorsements to grow their careers. The demand for truckers is high, and you can be a part of that wave. 

Ancora Training partners with businesses to develop career training programs — including CDL training programs — that provide real skills and benefits. Contact our team or book a consultation with us to start developing your individualized plan.