If you’ve seen the classic Broadway musical, “The Music Man,” or Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair,” both set in Iowa, or if you’ve transported cargo from the state, you are already familiar with the state’s renowned corn, soybeans, and livestock. It’s also well known for its food processing facilities, machine manufacturing, and renewable energy, which may be why you’re interested in adding the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) endorsement to your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for all the added benefits that come with it. This is a fabulous way to expand your job opportunities and increase your earning potential! In Iowa, you’ll experience the steep bluffs and winding roads of the Mississippi River Valley, the floodplains of the Missouri and Des Moines Rivers, the extensive farmlands and their rural roadways, not to mention Iowa’s winter snow and ice storms, spring flooding, and summer thunderstorms. Transporting cargo in Iowa comes with challenges, but the rewards offered in this career and the additional opportunities available with the Hazmat endorsement make it worth the effort.
The U.S. government classifies certain materials hazardous, requiring drivers to obtain a Hazmat endorsement for these specialized, often higher-paying, jobs. In the Hawkeye State, hazardous materials like anhydrous ammonia, pesticides and herbicides, petroleum products, ethanol and biodiesel, and industrial chemicals are transported. Major organizations in Iowa, such as CF Industries in Sergeant Bluff and Ag Partners in Albert City (agriculture), POET Bioprocessing (with multiple locations), and Casey’s General Stores, headquartered in Ankeny, rely on Hazmat drivers.
The process starts with a mandatory fingerprinting and background check conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Do this right away as the results can take weeks, which can be used to study and practice for the second step: the DOT knowledge test (Iowa CDL Handbook 2025). This test has 30 questions and covers federal regulations, substance handling, packaging, quantity limits, and transport configurations for hazardous materials. You must pass it with a score of at least 80%.
We have simplified this process for you with our Iowa DOT Hazmat Endorsement practice tests, which avoid unnecessary information and resemble what you will face on the official DOT test. Once you receive your TSA results and feel prepared, you’ll visit the DOT with the necessary documents, pay the fees, and pass the test.