Be Part of the Ultimate Safety & Compliance Community
Trending news, knowledge-building content, and more – all personalized to you!
Drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) have always been called to a higher level of responsibility than their counterparts who do not operate commercial motor vehicles that require CDLs. An example of this greater degree of accountability is seen in the disqualifications outlined in 49 CFR 383.51. Reckless use of any vehicle, personal or otherwise, directly affects the issuance of CDLs.
Drivers operating any size of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) hauling hazmat in quantities requiring placarding must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with an Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME). This is the same no matter the state of operation, and is true whether a carrier operates in intrastate or interstate commerce.
Due to the volatile nature of the cargo they haul, CDL drivers who haul hazardous materials have these requirements plus even more stringent criteria under security regulations. Security risk assessments are conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in conjunction with state licensing offices as drivers apply for, update, or transfer an HME.
Under Part 383, states can only issue an HME for a maximum of five years. It could be for a lesser time period if the state so desires. Contact your state licensing agency for specific details for your state.
Security threat assessment. Under the rules governing the Hazmat Threat Assessment Program, an applicant will be disqualified from holding an HME if the applicant:
As a part of the process, drivers must complete an application and submit fingerprints at designated state locations.
For a complete list of the disqualifying factors, refer to Part 1572, Subpart B—Standards for security threat assessments.
Canadian and Mexican hazmat drivers entering the U.S. Canadian and Mexican hazmat drivers entering U.S. commerce will be expected to hold a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) credential or a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in lieu of the endorsement and its investigation. The vetting processes are similar to the HME threat assessment and use many of the same data bases.