TSA believes about 430,000 drivers will apply for a new or renewed hazmat endorsement in the first year.

The Transportation Security Administration has postponed until May 31 the start date for fingerprint-based criminal background checks for the transfer and renewal of hazardous materials endorsements on commercial driver’s licenses. Background checks for drivers applying for new hazmat endorsements will begin Jan. 31, as previously scheduled.

An interim final rule published Nov. 24 made various changes to the standards related to security threat assessments of commercial truck drivers authorized to transport hazardous materials. TSA required each state to declare whether it wishes to capture and submit fingerprints, applicant information and fees itself – or have TSA complete those tasks. Fees for TSA-performed information collection will depend on the number of states that ask TSA to handle the task.

In addition, TSA is changing the standards to allow certain aliens who are qualified for a CDL to apply for a security threat assessment. In addition to lawful permanent residents, TSA will allow people in lawful nonimmigrant status, refugees and aliens granted asylum as long as they possess valid evidence of unrestricted employment authorization.

TSA also modified the lengthy list of disqualifying offenses. For example, it removed one felony, simple drug possession, but added the unlawful purchase, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, import, export and storage of a firearm or explosives. The agency also is adopting some procedural changes, including the time limits and procedures for appeals. In addition, drivers that seek to transfer hazmat endorsements from one state to another when obtaining a license in a new state will not have to undergo a new background check, subject to some restrictions.

TSA estimates 432,000 drivers will apply for a new or renewed endorsement in the first year. While the agency has estimated 2.7 million endorsement holders exist, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Census Bureau have calculated the number of truckers carrying primarily hazardous materials to be only 500,000 to 800,000.
-Avery Vise