Endorsements are add-ons to a CDL that clear a driver for specialized work beyond a standard commercial vehicle. Each one requires additional testing — and sometimes a background check — before it’s granted.
Common examples include the hazmat endorsement for hauling hazardous materials, a tanker endorsement for liquid bulk in a tanker, and a doubles/triples endorsement for multiple trailers. For a dispatcher, a driver’s endorsements determine which loads that driver can legally be assigned.