FMCSA Hazardous Materials Safety Permit

Radioactive Materials. A highway route-controlled
quantity of Class 7 material, as defined in § 173.403 of
49 CFR.
Explosives. More than 25kg (55 lbs) of a Division 1.1,
1.2 or 1.3 material, or an amount of a Division 1.5 material
requiring a placard under Part 172 Subpart F of 49 CFR.
Toxic by Inhalation Materials
Hazard Zone A. More than one liter (1.08 quarts) per
package of a “material poisonous by inhalation,” as
defined in § 171.8 of 49 CFR, that meets the criteria
for “Hazard Zone A,” as specified in § 173.116(a) or
§ 173.133(a) of 49 CFR.
Hazard Zone B. A “material poisonous by inhalation,”
as defined in § 171.8 of 49 CFR, that meets the criteria
for “Hazard Zone B,” as specified in § 173.116(a) or
§ 173.133(a) of 49 CFR in a bulk packaging (capacity
greater than 450 L [119 gallons] for liquids and a water
capacity greater than 454 kg [1,000 pounds] for gas
receptacles).

Methane. A shipment of compressed or refrigerated liquid
methane or liquefied natural gas or other liquefied gas
with a methane content of at least 85 percent in a bulk
packaging having a capacity equal to or greater than
13,248 L (3,500 gallons) for liquids or gases.
FMCSA-CMO-04-002

October 2004

FIRST CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER
SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
PERMIT NO. G-846

Hazard Zone C & D. A “material poisonous by
inhalation,” as defined in § 171.8 of 49 CFR, that meets
the criteria for “Hazard Zone C,” or “Hazard Zone D,”
as specified in § 173.116(a) or § 173.133(a) of 49 CFR,
in a packaging having a capacity equal to or greater
than 13,248 L (3,500 gallons).

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Office of Enforcement and Compliance (MC-ECH)
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590

The following hazardous materials transported in these
quantities require an HM Safety Permit:

The Federal Hazardous Materials Safety Permit Program will phase in starting January 1, 2005, for intrastate,
interstate, and foreign motor carriers transporting certain types and amounts of hazardous materials.

Hazardous Materials
Requiring An
HM Safety Permit

What Are Carriers
Required To Do To
Obtain And Keep An HM
Safety Permit?

What Is The Hazardous
Materials (HM) Permit
Program?
On January 1, 2005, the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) will begin to phase in the
Federal Hazardous Materials Safety
Permit (HM Safety Permit) Program
for intrastate, interstate, and foreign
motor carriers transporting certain
types and amounts of hazardous
materials. These carriers must
maintain a certain level of safety in
their operations and certify they have
programs in place as required by the
Hazardous Materials Regulations and
the HM Permit regulations.

When Do I Need To Have My HM
Safety Permit?
Motor carriers will be required to apply for an HM Safety
Permit, or a Temporary HM Safety Permit, the next time
they are scheduled to file the MCS-150 form AFTER
JANUARY 1, 2005. All motor carriers, including intrastate
carriers, that have not, prior to January 1, 2005, filed an
MCS-150 form (Combined Motor Carrier Identification
Report and HM Permit Application), must AFTER
JANUARY 1, 2005, file an MCS-150B form to obtain an
HM Safety Permit or a Temporary HM Safety Permit to
transport the permitted hazardous materials.

Why Is FMCSA Requiring An HM
Safety Permit?
Congress directed FMCSA to implement the HM permit
program to produce safety and security benefits. FMCSA
estimates that the rule will prevent seven HM truck-related
crashes per year, saving approximately $3.6 million
annually. Increased security from the HM Safety Permit
Program will reduce the chance these materials could
w w w . f m c s a
be used in a terrorist attack.

•
•

•
•

Motor carriers are required to:
• Maintain a “satisfactory” safety
rating in order to obtain and hold
an HM Safety Permit.
• Maintain their crash rating, and
their vehicle, hazardous material,
or out-of-service rate so as to not
be in the worst 30 percent of the
national average as indicated in
the Motor Carrier Management
Information System.
• Have a satisfactory security
program (and associated
training) according to 49 CFR § 172.800.
Maintain HM registration with the Research and
Special Programs Administration.
Develop a system of communication that will enable
the driver to contact the motor carrier during the course
of transportation and maintain records of these
communications.
Have a written route plan for radioactive materials in
49 CFR § 397.101 and for
explosives in 49 CFR § 397.19.
Perform a pre-trip inspection
(North American Standard Level
VI Inspection Program for
Radioactive Shipments) for
shipments containing highway
route controlled Class 7
(radioactive) materials.

Motor carriers that violate permit
requirements may have their HM
Safety Permit suspended or revoked.
There is a process for appealing
decisions to suspend or revoke an
HM Safety Permit.

. d o t . g o v

My State Has An HM Safety Permit
Program. Do I Still Need An HM Safety
Permit From The Federal Government?
Yes. However, some State HM permit programs may be
considered “equivalent.” In these instances, FMCSA will
issue a Federal HM Safety Permit if the State issued a
State Permit. For a current list of State programs
considered equivalent, please visit our Web site at
www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Is There A Federal Fee For The HM
Safety Permit?
No. However, an equivalent State permit program may
require a fee.

How Do I Apply For An HM Safety
Permit?
New and existing motor carriers are required to submit
an MCS-150B form to start the HM permit application
process.
Forms are available on FMCSA's Web site,
http://usdotnumberregistration.com, and may be
submitted online, or may be obtained by calling toll-free,
1-800-832-5660.

Where Can I Get More
Information About The
HM Safety Permit?
The requirements for the HM Safety
Permit are found at 49 CFR §§
385.400, 390.3, and 390.19 . You can
contact FMCSA's Hazardous
Materials division at 202-366-6121 or
visit
our
Web
site
at
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hm.htm.