TSA Extends Exemption for Expired Hazardous Materials Endorsements

The Transportation Security Administration has extended the exemption from Renewal of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) Security Threat Assessment for CDL drivers which was scheduled to expire on October 30, 2020.  85 Fed. Reg. 68357 (October 28, 2020).  The exemption is now effective through December 31, 2020.

Under this exemption, states may extend the expiration date of HMEs that expire on or after March 1, 2020, for 180 days, due to restrictions and business closures in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a state grants an extension, the individual with an expired HME must initiate the process of renewing his or her security threat assessment (STA) for the HME no later than 60 days before the end of the state-granted extension.

Federal partners, state licensing agencies and related associations report ongoing difficulties in timely renewal of expiring HMEs and asked TSA to consider extending the exemption until the end of calendar year 2020. TSA has determined it is in the public interest to extend the exemption through December 31, 2020.

Companies should note that drivers must apply for an extension of their HMEs from their state agency that grants driver licenses.  Unlike with CDL, the extension of the HME validity is not automatic.  As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some drivers have reported long wait times trying to get information on HME extensions over the phone from their state licensing agencies.