DOT Eyes Special Permits for Transporting Damaged Lithium Batteries
Published Date: 5/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation is reviewing new special permit requests for safely moving hazardous materials, like damaged lithium-ion batteries. If you work with these materials, now’s your chance to comment before June 11, 2026. These permits could change how some dangerous goods are transported, making things safer and possibly saving money on special packaging rules.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
One-way shipment of damaged battery modules
An application (22234-N) would allow the one-way transportation of damaged lithium‑ion battery modules for disposal or recycling in UN specification packagings that contain more than one battery module per package. Comments on this application are due by June 11, 2026.
Transport in non‑DOT specification packaging
An application (22246-N) from Western Digital seeks authorization to transport certain hazardous materials in non‑DOT specification packaging (modes 1 and 4). The public may submit comments by June 11, 2026.
Special packagings with alternate training rules
An application (22251-N) from Cirba Solutions seeks permission to manufacture, mark, sell, and use specially designed packagings for damaged, defective, or recalled lithium‑ion batteries using alternative hazard communication and alternative training (modes 1, 2, 5). Comments are due by June 11, 2026.
End‑of‑life battery non‑DOT packaging for recycling
An application (22282-N) from Cirba Solutions seeks authorization to manufacture, mark, sell, and use non‑DOT specification packaging for end‑of‑life lithium‑ion and lithium metal cells and batteries and those packed with equipment for recycling, reuse, refurbishment, repurposing, or evaluation (modes 1, 2, 3, 5).
Large lithium‑ion batteries on cargo aircraft
Applications (22255-N, 22275-N) request authorization to transport lithium‑ion batteries that exceed 35 kilograms net weight aboard cargo‑only aircraft (mode 4). One application (22279-N) requests authorization for a prototype lithium‑ion battery aboard cargo‑only aircraft.
Extend tank car service life via re‑stenciling
An application (22260-N) from Trinity Industries seeks authorization to re‑stencil DOT 105J600W as DOT 105H600W to permit continued toxic‑inhalation‑hazard (TIH)/poison‑inhalation‑hazard (PIH) service for a 50‑year lifespan provided design requirements are met (mode 2).
Near‑real‑time off‑train electronic consist technology
An application (22264-N) from Union Pacific requests authorization to transport hazardous materials by rail using a near real‑time off‑train electronic consist technology (mode 2).
Rail shipments during cellular outages
Multiple rail carriers (applications 22265-N through 22275-N and others) seek authorization to transport rail freight during temporary cellular service interruptions that delay electronic updating of train consist information (mode 2).
One‑time disposal of unapproved extinguisher device
An application (22258-N) from Veolia ES Technical Solutions requests authorization for a one‑time, one‑way transportation of an unapproved fire extinguisher ball for disposal (mode 1).
Non‑DOT COPVs for spacecraft propulsion
An application (22280-N) from Impulse Space requests authorization to transport non‑DOT specification Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) that lack pressure relief devices for use within a spacecraft propulsion system (mode 1).
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