Hazardous Materials Endorsement

You must be 21 years of age to obtain a Hazardous Material endorsement.

Procedures for Applying for a Hazardous Material Endorsement

To begin this process applicants need to make application and complete the written hazardous materials test at a South Dakota driver exam station. The next step is complete the application for a security threat assessment background check online at hazprints.tsa.dhs.gov or by phone at 877-429-7746 through the call center and pay the $89.25 background check fee. You may then proceed to a Fingerprinting Location. When the background check is completed the Transportation Security Administration will notify both the applicant and the state driver licensing authorities. At that time the applicant may return to their local driver exam station, with proof of citizenship and proof of identity, and complete a knowledge exam to be issued a license with the endorsement.

Applicants applying for renewal or transfer of a commercial driver license containing hazardous materials endorsement are required to take the written test, do the background check, fingerprinting and show proof of citizenship and identity.

If you have a Hazardous Materials endorsement, and meet any of the disqualification criteria, you must surrender you commercial driver license to a Driver Exam Station immediately. When you surrender your commercial driver license you may be issued a commercial driver license without a Hazardous Materials endorsement if you are otherwise qualified.

Other websites of interest for Commercial Drivers

Hazardous Material Manual Section

Contact Phone numbers for TSA are:
Application Status: 877-429-7746
General Information: 866-289-9673
TSA Media Contact: 571-227-2829

Finger Printing Locations

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These locations below are for South Dakota Residents ONLY! You must call for an appointment.

If you choose to have your fingerprinting done at one of the below law enforcement locations you will need to bring along a completed Application for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement form (you will also need to complete* the form and pay the appropriate fee on-line or through the call center before fingerprinting at one of the above sites).
*Do not sign the application until you are at the fingerprint site, the signature on the application needs to be witnessed by the officer taking the prints.

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Proof of Citizenship

One of the documents listed below is required when making application at a South Dakota Driver Exam Station for a commercial driver license with a hazardous materials endorsement. This document is required in addition to any other documents that are required for proof of identity. All applicants are required to provide a social security number.

US Citizen:  Valid U.S. Passport; Certificate of birth that bears an official seal and was issued by a county, state, municipal authority, or outlying possession of the United States; Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the United States Department of State (Form FS-545 or DS 1350); Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570); or Certificate of United States Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)

Immigration Status Documentation:  Permanent Resident Card, Alien Regristration Receipt Card (Form I-551); Temporary I-551 stamp in Foreign Passport; Temporary I-551 stamp in form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record with photograph of the bearer; Re-entry Permit  Form 1-327

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Section 1. List of Disqualifying Criminal Offenses for Hazardous Materials Endorsement

Part A:  Permanently Disqualifying Criminal Offenses:

An applicant will be permanently disqualified from holding a TWIC or a HME on a CDL if he or she was convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity for any of the following felonies:

1. Espionage
2. Sedition
3. Treason
4. A federal crime of terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C.2332b(g), or comparable State law
5. A crime involving a transportation security incident
6. Improper transportation of a hazardous material under 49 U.S.C. 5127 or a State law that is comparable
7. Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, manufacture, purchase, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, import, export, storage of, or dealing in an explosive or explosive device
8. Murder
9. Making any threat, or maliciously conveying false information knowing the same to be false, concerning the deliverance, placement, or detonation of an explosive or other lethal device in or against a place of public use, a state or government facility, a public transportation system, or an infrastructure facility
10. Violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. 1961, et seq., or a State law that is comparable, where one the predicate acts found by a jury or admitted by the defendant, consists of one the offenses listed in Part A of this section
11. Bomb threat
12. Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes

Part B: Interim Disqualifying Offenses

A driver will be disqualified from holding a TWIC or a HME on a CDL if he or she was convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity within the previous seven years or was released from prison in the last five years for any of the following felonies:

1. Unlawful possession, use, sale, manufacture, purchase, distribution, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, delivery, import, export of, or dealing in a firearm or other weapon
2. Extortion
3. Dishoesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud
4. Bribery
5. Smuggling
6. Immigration violations
7. Distribution of, intent to distribute, or importation of a controlled substance
8. Arson
9. Kidnapping or hostage taking
10. Rape or aggravated sexual abuse
11. Assault with intent to murder
12. Robbery
13. Fraudulent entry into a seaport as described in 18 U.S.C. 1036, or a comparable State law
14. Violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. 1961, et seq., or a State law that is comparable, other that the violations listed in paragraph (10) of Part A: Permanently Disqualifying Criminal Offenses
15. Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes

Part C: Under Want or Warrant:

A driver will be disqualified from holding a TWIC or a HME on a CDL if he or she is wanted or under indictment in any civilian or military jurisdiction for a felony listed under Part A or Part B until the want or warrant is released.

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Other Websites of Interest to Commercial Drivers:
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Hazardous Materials Application

Transportation Security Administration

South Dakota Trucking Information

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

South Dakota Trucking Association

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