Skip to main content
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Utility menu

  • Online Services
  • Locations
  • Moving
  • Forms
  • My Account

Main menu

  • Licenses & IDs

    • Driver's License
    • REAL ID
    • Learner's Permits
    • ID Cards
    • Commercial Driver's License
      • What is a Commercial Motor Vehicle?
      • Who are Commercial Drivers?
      • Applying for a Commercial Driver's License or Commercial Learner's Permit
      • Additional Documents for a Commercial Driver's License or Commercial Learner's Permit
      • Commercial Learner's Permit Information
      • Renewing Your Driver's License or CDL
      • Obtaining a Replacement Commercial Driver's License or Commercial Learner’s Permit
      • CDL Classifications, Endorsements and Restrictions
      • Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual
      • Hazardous Materials Endorsement
        • Acceptable Documents for HAZMAT Endorsement
        • DMV Locations for HAZMAT Endorsements
      • CDL Knowledge Exams
      • Commercial Driver License (CDL) Skills Tests
      • Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Medical Certification Requirements - FAQs
      • Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Medical Certification Requirements
      • CDL Disqualifications
      • CDL Skills Test Eligibility Requirements
      • Commercial Driver Improvement Clinic Program
      • Commercial Driver License (CDL) Testing Locations
      • About CDL Driver Training Schools (including Three Failures)
      • The Third-Party Tester Program
      • Virginia Community College CDL Course for Three Exam Failures
      • Virginia Community Colleges Offering a CDL Course for Three Exam Failures
      • Skills Performance Evaluation Program
      • Driver Alert Voluntary Driving Record Monitoring Program
      • Troops to Trucks
    • Motorcycle License
    • Exams & Study Materials
    • Driver Training
    • Driver Improvement
    • Disability Programs
    • Payment Plan Program
    • Organ Donation
    • License Extension
    • Military Personnel
    • Mature Drivers

    Document Guide

    Know which documents are required for your driver application before you head to DMV.
    Access Guide
  • Vehicles

    • Title Your Vehicle or Trailer
    • Registration
    • License Plates
    • Buying/Selling a Vehicle
    • Insurance Coverage Verification
    • Taxes & Fees
    • E-ZPass at DMV
    • Insurance Requirements
    • General Information
    • National Motor Vehicle Titling Information System (NMVTIS)
    • Abandoned Vehicles/ Mechanics & Storage Lien Vehicles

    Registration Renewal

    Renew your vehicle registration before it expires to avoid a late fee.
    Renew Registration
  • Businesses

    • Motor Carriers
    • Hauling Permits
    • Insurance Services
    • Electronic Lien Program
    • Virginia Motor Fuels Tax Programs
    • Business Opportunities
    • How to Become a DMV Select Partner
    • Online Fleet
    • Online Salvage Pool
    • Dealers
    • Online Dealer
    • Rental Tax
    • Transportation Network Companies (TNC)

    VirginiaMCS

    Access VirginiaMCS to conduct your Virginia IRP and/or IFTA transactions online.
    Access VirginiaMCS
  • Records

    • Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record
    • Request a Police Crash Report from DMV
    • Obtain Vehicle History
    • Change Address, Name or Sex Designation
    • Non-Governmental Access to DMV Records
    • Governmental Access to DMV Records
    • Resources for Family of Deceased
    • Emergency Contact Information
    • Vital Records at DMV
    • Prospective Purchaser Inquiry (PPI)
    • Release of DMV Information
    • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Rights and Responsibilities
    • Register to Vote

    Driving & Vehicle Records

    Purchase a copy of your driver or vehicle record online.
    View Records
  • Safety

    • Crash Data
    • Grants Management
    • Safety Programs
    • Safety Resources

    Points Balance

    Check your points balance to see where your record stands.
    Check Balance
Reserve Your Spot

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Licenses & IDs
  3. Commercial Driver's License

Hazardous Materials Endorsement

Skip to main content
  • Hazardous Materials Endorsement
    • Acceptable Documents for HAZMAT Endorsement
    • DMV Locations for HAZMAT Endorsements

Anyone applying for or renewing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) must meet federal requirements issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Note:

If you are applying for an HME for the first time, it may take more than 45 days for TSA to complete your security assessment and notify DMV of the outcome.

Requirements

To receive or renew an HME, all applicants must:

1. Complete Entry Level Driver Training and pass the hazardous materials (HAZMAT) knowledge exam.

2. Provide acceptable documentation showing proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status.

3. Complete a fingerprint-based background check at one of the DMV customer service centers equipped to process your application. There is a non-refundable $83 fee.

*Save time by completing the Background Check Application before your appointment.

Make a Background & Fingerprint Check Appointment

TWIC Card Holders

You are exempt from the fingerprint-based background check if you hold a valid Transportation Worker's Identification Credential (TWIC), and the TWIC can be verified by DMV when submitted with your HME application.

If you apply for a HME using TWIC comparability, the HME expiration date will expire no later than the current expiration date of the TWIC. The non-refundable reduced fee is $41. You may visit any DMV customer service center to process your reduced fee application.

What is TWIC comparability?

TWIC comparability means the TSA has determined that the security threat assessments (fingerprinting and background check) performed on applicants for a TWIC are comparable to those performed on applicants for the HME. As a result, TSA exempts HME applicants from the background and fingerprint check if a valid TWIC card is submitted with the HME application. 

Out-of-State CDL Holders

If you are transferring a CDL with an HME from another state, you will receive an HME on your Virginia CDL if:

  1. You currently hold the endorsement on your out-of-state CDL
  2. DMV can verify your eligibility with your current state
  3. You pass the HAZMAT knowledge test in Virginia

If you have not completed a TSA-based background and fingerprint check in your current state, or your eligibility cannot be verified by DMV, you may be issued a Virginia CDL with an HME only if you apply for and pass the fingerprint-based background check and HAZMAT knowledge test in Virginia.

Processing the Application

DMV sends your application information to TSA, which will perform background checks, make security assessments and notify us whether the application is approved or denied. The fingerprint-based background check is valid for up to five years.

If approved, DMV will send you a letter of approval. You may then return to DMV to be photographed and apply for your CDL with the HME, provided you have successfully completed the HAZMAT knowledge test.

If denied, DMV will send you a notification of denial by TSA. 

Note:

If your driving privilege or CDL is suspended, canceled or revoked, you will still be able to complete the background check, but you will not be able to hold a CDL until your privilege is restored. 

HME Renewal

DMV will mail you a renewal notice approximately 90 days before your HME expiration date. It's important to begin the renewal process at this time so TSA can approve you before your HME expires. 

If you do not intend to keep your HME, visit any customer service center before your HME expires to have your CDL reissued or renewed without the HME. If the HME expires before you remove it, your CDL will be canceled until you remove the HME.

Make an Appointment to Remove Your HME 

Make an Appointment to Remove Your HME
/

About Us

Through our mission purpose, the DMV aims to be Virginia's most trusted service provider.

  • About DMV
  • Careers
  • Procurement

Resources

  • Online Services
  • How Do I?
  • Forms
  • News
  • Policies & Regulations
  • Fee Chart
  • ¿Habla Español?

Contact

  • Locations
  • Contact Us
  • Media

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Superior Service | Secure Credentials | Saving Lives)

©2023 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.

Back to top