DMV News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HAZMAT Endorsement Process Streamlined for TWIC Holders
DMV Customer Service Enhancement Reduces Duplicative Background Checks

RICHMOND - Effective February 26, 2013, any individual with Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) applying for a Virginia hazardous materials endorsements (HME) on a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is eligible to use his previous federal security threat assessment (STA) rather than repeat the fingerprinting and background check. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deems as comparable the assessments done for both the TWIC and HME. As a result, the application fee for customers forgoing a second STA is $41, versus the standard $83 HME fee that includes a new background check.

DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb stated, "We are proud to be the first state that independently transmits threat assessment information directly to TSA and offers this enhanced service for our customers. It makes sense to streamline the process and give applicants who have already been screened for TWICs the option of paying the reduced fee and forgoing a second unnecessary background check."

DMV will confirm each applicant’s eligibility online with TSA. To be eligible, the customer's TWIC must be valid with at least one year and five days remaining before expiration. The Virginia HAZMAT endorsement issued to a customer opting to use the TWIC STA will expire on the same expiration date of the TWIC.

Customers still have the option apply for a five year HAZMAT endorsement. In such instances, the applicant will have a new background check and pay the full fee.

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