HAZMAT Background Checks Waiver Process

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Applicants who wish to obtain, renew, or transfer a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) onto their state-issued Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) but who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses or who have been declared mentally incompetent in the past may apply to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for a waiver.

The waiver process described below is designed to permit applicants who are disqualified from holding an HME to demonstrate that they are rehabilitated and no longer pose a security threat. Individuals convicted of treason, sedition, espionage, or a crime of terrorism are not eligible for a waiver from TSA.  

Drivers may seek a waiver from the TSA if:

Please Note: Current Hazmat drivers who fall into one of the categories above must immediately surrender their HME to the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Waiver requests must be submitted in writing (typed or legibly written) and must include all of the following information:

In addition, a waiver requestor must submit supporting documentation, including at least one of the following:

TSA strongly encourages the waiver applicant to provide as much of this information as possible.

If an applicant was involuntarily committed to a mental institution, or declared mentally incompetent, TSA will consider one or more of the following:

Drivers and operators with questions about the waiver or appeal process should contact TSA at: Hazmat Waiver and Appeal Questions (hazmatwaiver@dhs.gov)

Drivers and operators with general questions about the USA PATRIOT Act should contact TSA at: PATRIOT Act Questions (patriotact@dhs.gov)

The information contained here is based on information provided by the. U.S. Department of Homeland Security   ·  Transportation Security Administration · http://www.tsa.gov.