The X endorsement lets you haul both hazardous materials and passengers in the same vehicle

An X endorsement on your Commercial Driver's License is a combination of two separate endorsements: the H endorsement (hazmat) and the P endorsement (passenger). When you hold an X, you are legally permitted to operate a commercial vehicle that carries both hazardous materials and passengers at the same time. This is the most restrictive endorsement to obtain because it requires passing both the hazmat and passenger knowledge tests, plus the hazmat background check.

Most drivers never need an X endorsement. It exists for a narrow set of jobs: tour bus operators who also transport hazardous cargo, or commercial drivers in specialized roles where the same vehicle must legally carry both. If your job requires only one of these — hauling hazmat alone, or driving passengers alone — you would get an H or P endorsement instead, which are easier to obtain.

Key Takeaways

  • The X endorsement combines hazmat (H) and passenger (P) permissions, allowing you to haul both in one vehicle.
  • You must pass separate knowledge tests for hazmat and passenger endorsements, plus the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hazmat background check.
  • Most commercial drivers need either H or P, not both; the X is rare and only required if your specific job involves carrying hazmat and passengers simultaneously.
  • Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency administers the X endorsement tests and background clearance.

How the X endorsement differs from H and P alone

The H endorsement allows you to haul hazardous materials — explosives, flammable liquids, toxic substances, and other regulated cargo — but only if no passengers are aboard. The P endorsement allows you to operate a bus or other passenger vehicle, but you cannot carry hazmat. An X endorsement removes both restrictions: you can legally carry hazmat and passengers in the same vehicle.

In practice, this means your vehicle can be a tour bus that also transports hazmat, or a commercial vehicle serving a dual purpose. The X is not a third, separate endorsement; it is the combination of H and P on a single license. Your CDL will show both letters if you hold an X.

What you must do to get an X endorsement

To obtain an X endorsement, you must pass two knowledge tests: one for hazmat (the H test) and one for passenger transport (the P test). Each test covers the specific rules, cargo types, vehicle equipment, and safety procedures for that endorsement. You study the same material as someone getting H or P alone.

Before you can take the hazmat test, you must also pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check. This check screens for criminal history, immigration status, and other factors that would disqualify you from handling hazmat. The TSA does not issue the endorsement itself — your state DMV does — but the TSA clearance is a legal requirement you cannot skip. The background check takes several weeks in most cases.

Once you pass both tests and receive TSA clearance, your state DMV will add the X endorsement to your CDL. You do not take a separate X test; you take H and P, and the combination becomes your X.

The TSA hazmat background check and what it screens for

The TSA hazmat background check is more thorough than a standard criminal records check. It examines your criminal history, immigration and citizenship status, mental health records (in some cases), and any history of drug convictions or disqualifying offenses. Certain convictions — felonies involving explosives, terrorism-related offenses, or crimes of violence within the past seven years — will disqualify you from hazmat endorsement.

The TSA also checks whether you are a lawful permanent resident or citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may face additional scrutiny or denial. If you have a disqualifying record, you will not receive TSA clearance, and you cannot obtain the H or X endorsement, even if you pass the knowledge test.

You pay a fee for the background check, which varies by state but typically ranges from $25 to $100. The check itself takes two to four weeks in most states, though delays can extend this. You cannot take the hazmat knowledge test until the TSA has cleared you.

When you actually need an X endorsement

You need an X endorsement only if your job requires you to operate a single vehicle that legally must carry both hazmat and passengers. This is uncommon. Examples include a tour bus operator who also transports hazardous materials for a chemical company, or a commercial driver working for a specialized transport firm that combines both services in one vehicle.

If your employer requires you to haul hazmat on some days and passengers on others — but never both in the same vehicle at the same time — you do not need an X. You would get an H endorsement for hazmat days and a P endorsement for passenger days. If you only haul hazmat, you need only H. If you only drive passengers, you need only P.

Check your job description and ask your employer directly whether the same vehicle will carry both hazmat and passengers simultaneously. If the answer is no, pursuing an X endorsement is unnecessary work and expense.

Cost and timeline for obtaining an X endorsement

The total cost depends on your state and includes the TSA background check fee, the knowledge test fees (usually one fee per test), and any study materials you purchase. Most states charge $10 to $30 per knowledge test. The TSA background check ranges from $25 to $100. In total, expect to spend $50 to $200, though some states charge more.

The timeline is typically four to eight weeks from start to finish. The TSA background check alone takes two to four weeks. Once you receive clearance, you can schedule your knowledge tests, which you usually take on the same day or within a few days of each other. After you pass both tests, the DMV adds the endorsement to your license, which can happen the same day or within a week depending on your state's processing speed.

Renewing or removing an X endorsement

When your CDL comes up for renewal, your X endorsement renews with it if you still hold TSA hazmat clearance. If your hazmat clearance has expired or been revoked, you will lose the H portion of your X, which means you lose the X entirely. You would retain only the P endorsement (passenger) unless you renew your hazmat clearance.

If you no longer need the X endorsement — for example, you change jobs and no longer haul hazmat — you can request that your state DMV remove it. This does not require a test or fee; it is a straightforward administrative change. You would keep the P endorsement if you still drive passengers, or you would have a standard CDL with no endorsements if you no longer need either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an X endorsement if I have a felony conviction?

It depends on the type of felony and how long ago it occurred. Convictions for explosives, terrorism, or crimes of violence within the past seven years disqualify you from hazmat endorsement. Other felonies may not. Contact your state DMV or the TSA to discuss your specific record before paying for the background check.

Do I have to take the X test, or do I take H and P separately?

You take the H test and the P test separately. There is no single X test. When you pass both, your state DMV combines them into an X endorsement on your license. You study and test for each endorsement independently.

What happens if I fail the hazmat or passenger test?

You can retake the test, usually the same day or within a few days. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it, though you pay the test fee each time. Failing one test does not affect your ability to take the other.

Can I drive hazmat without passengers if I have an X endorsement?

Yes. An X endorsement allows you to carry both hazmat and passengers together, but it also allows you to carry hazmat alone or passengers alone. You have more permissions than someone with only H or only P.

How long does TSA hazmat clearance last?

TSA hazmat clearance is typically valid for the duration of your CDL, which is usually five years in most states. When your CDL expires, you must renew your hazmat clearance as part of the renewal process. Some states require reclearance more frequently.