Hazardous Materials Permit Records Renewal Proposed
Published Date: 5/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants to renew a rule that helps keep hazardous materials shipments safe by requiring companies to track and record their shipments regularly. This affects companies with safety permits, who must keep communication records for at least six months. Comments on this plan are open until July 6, 2026, and there’s no new cost, just a continuation of current rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Six-month record retention and paperwork burden
Companies with HM Safety Permits must keep communication records, physically or electronically, for at least 6 months at the company's principal place of business or readily available to employees. FMCSA estimates 1,142 respondents, a 5-minute maintenance time per daily communication record, and a total annual burden of 799,400 hours.
Periodic tracking and communication rule
If your company holds a Hazardous Materials (HM) Safety Permit, you must have a communications plan to track shipments and make periodic contact at least two times per day. Communication records must show the time of the call and the shipment location, and may be kept by either the driver (for example, in the logbook) or the company.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08144, Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-20048, Hours of Service of Drivers; Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Exemption Renewal for Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC
The FMCSA is giving Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC a temporary green light to let their truck drivers work longer shifts—up to 16 hours straight—when moving steel coils and scrap metal between company sites. They’re also allowed to keep using special trucks that don’t meet some usual safety rules, but only for steel coil hauling. This exemption runs from late September 2026 to March 2027, and the public can share their thoughts by the end of October.
2026-20046, Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption; Agri-Tech Aviation
The FMCSA said no to Agri-Tech Aviation’s request to let learner drivers operate commercial vehicles alone before getting their full license. They found it wouldn’t be as safe as current rules require. This means learner drivers still need a fully licensed driver riding shotgun, keeping roads safer for everyone.
2026-20043, Electronic Logging Device Requirements: Application for Exemption; Federation of Professional Truckers
The Federation of Professional Truckers asked to skip using electronic logging devices (ELDs) and keep paper logs instead. The government said no because ELDs keep everyone safer on the road. Truck drivers still need to use ELDs, so no changes or extra costs for now.
2026-19808, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
The FMCSA is considering requests from nine hard of hearing or deaf drivers who want to be allowed to drive commercial trucks across state lines without meeting the usual hearing rules. If approved, these drivers can get exemptions to work interstate, opening new job opportunities. The public can share their thoughts by October 28, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
2026-19807, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
The FMCSA is considering requests from 11 people who are hard of hearing or deaf to be allowed to drive big trucks across state lines without meeting the usual hearing rules. If approved, these folks can get behind the wheel and keep America moving! You have until October 28, 2026, to share your thoughts, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08817, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Fishing boats in the Greater Atlantic Region might get special permission to try new ways of using skate fish as bait in scallop fishing. This means some usual fishing rules could be relaxed for these boats to help test new ideas. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until May 21, 2026, to share them—so don’t miss out!
Next: 2026-08819, Availability of Motus, FMCSA's New Registration System
The FMCSA just fixed a small mistake in their announcement about Motus, the new online registration system for truck and bus companies. Starting May 6, 2026, everyone who registers with FMCSA will use Motus to meet federal rules, making the process smoother and fully digital. This update doesn’t change fees but makes signing up easier and faster for carriers.