CDL Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Endorsements

New federal and NYS laws that began on January 31, 2005 require background checks for a driver with a NYS commercial driver license (CDL) to get or renew a hazardous materials (HazMat) endorsement.  A driver with a NYS CDL must have an "H" or an "X" HazMat endorsement to operate commercial motor vehicles that carry hazardous materials.

To get or to renew a HazMat endorsement, a driver who has a CDL must provide fingerprints for federal and NYS background checks for criminal violations.  The driver also must pass a HazMat endorsement written test at a DMV office.  The written test requirement is not a new requirement.

If a driver is disqualified after the background checks or does not pass the written test, the driver cannot get or renew a HazMat endorsement.

To keep the HazMat endorsement, the driver must provide fingerprints and pass the background checks every five years.  This is different from the valid period of the CDL, which is eight years.  The CDL and the Hazmat endorsement will normally be renewed at different times, and the DMV will mail separate renewal notices.

CDL Information

It is important that drivers promptly file a change of address with the NYS DMV.

Before October 1, 2007, the fees are $143 for the background checks and $5 for the written test. On and after October 1, 2007, the fees are $138.25 for the background checks and $5 for the written test. The fees are separate from and in addition to the fees to get or to renew your CDL.

Instructions to Get or to Renew a CDL HazMat Endorsement

If you do not have a HazMat endorsement, you must apply for the endorsement at a DMV office.  You must first have a CDL to apply for the HazMat endorsement.  Read the CDL Manual (CDL-10) and the forms MV-500C (Driver License Class Descriptions) and CDL-101 (Explanation of License Classes, Endorsements and Restrictions).

If you have a current, valid NYS CDL with an H or an X endorsement, you must meet the following requirements to renew the endorsement.

Pass the Written Test

If you did not pass the written test for the HazMat endorsement in the last two years, bring your photo CDL document to a DMV office.  Pay the $5 written test fee and pass the test.  You must answer 80% or more of the questions correctly to pass the test. You can take the test as many times as necessary until you pass the test, but you must pay a $5 fee for each test you take.

The test result is valid until your CDL expires.  To keep your HazMat endorsement, you must pass the test again within two years before your CDL expires.  You can take the test when you apply to renew your CDL, or you can take the test up to two years before the expiration date of your CDL.

You must pass the written test before you apply for the background checks.  If you do not meet the requirement for the written test, the fingerprinting and the background checks, you can only renew your CDL without the HazMat endorsement.

You can study the hazardous materials section of the NYS Commercial Driver License Manual (CDL-10), or study the Hazardous Materials Manual (CDL-11).

Apply for the Background Checks

To apply for the required background checks, complete form HAZ-44 (Application for Hazardous Materials Endorsement).  Before October 1, 2007, the fee for the background checks is $143.  On and after October 1, 2007, the fee for the background checks is $138.25.  Bring your current NYS CDL, the form HAZ-44 and the fee to a DMV office.

When you pay the fee for the background checks, the DMV representative will give you a receipt on form FS-6T.  Do not lose the FS-6T receipt. You must provide the original FS-6T receipt to the person who takes your fingerprints. You cannot provide a photocopy of the receipt.

Provide Your Fingerprints for Background Checks

If the DMV office where you apply for the endorsement is one of the DMV offices that can take your fingerprints, the office takes the fingerprints at the time you apply for the endorsement.

If the DMV office where you apply for the endorsement does not take fingerprints, you must go to a State Police location that takes fingerprints. Get form SP-1 (State Police Fingerprinting Locations).

Do not visit a State Police location to provide fingerprints if the location is not on the list.

Submit the FS-6T receipt to the DMV office or a State Police location that takes your fingerprints. The DMV or State Police will record your fingerprints in a digital format. The process to take your fingerprints does not use ink.

The federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will notify you by mail about the results of the background check for federal disqualification violations only.

The DMV will notify you by mail about the results of the background check for NYS and federal offense that disqualify you. If you are not disqualified based on either federal or NYS offenses, the DMV sends you a photo CDL with your HazMat endorsement.

You can read the list of federal and NYS offenses that disqualify you. The list is available in the English language only. The page with the list will not be translated into Spanish.

Do not request the results of background checks from the DMV, the State Police or the TSA. Wait to receive the notifications in the mail.

Get the HazMat Endorsement

Your HazMat endorsement will be renewed after the background checks determine that you are not disqualified. The endorsement is valid for five years.

You will receive a photo CDL with the HazMat endorsement from the DMV by mail. Your CDL displays the expiration date of your CDL and the expiration date of your HazMat endorsement.

Renew Your Endorsement

The DMV will normally mail you a renewal notice for your HazMat endorsement. Follow the instruction in the renewal notice to apply for the background checks.

Do not delay your visit to a DMV office to apply for the HazMat endorsement renewal

You will receive a separate notice to renew your CDL.

Removal of Your CDL HazMat Endorsement

If you do not pass the written test and the background checks, the DMV will issue a CDL that does not have a HazMat endorsement.

If you do not need a HazMat endorsement, do not take the written test and do not apply for the background checks.  Follow the instructions provided for the renewal of your CDL, and pay the CDL renewal fee. The DMV will issue a CDL that does not have a HazMat endorsement.

The web site of the federal Transportation Security Administration has more information about the background checks for the CDL HazMat endorsements.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CDL HazMat Endorsement

I provided fingerprints for another application, for example for a pistol permit or employment as a security guard. Do I have to provide fingerprints again for the CDL HazMat endorsement?

Yes.

What is included in the background checks?

The background checks include a check of criminal history data from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). There is also a background check by the federal Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).

I have a conviction for a felony.  Can I qualify for a HazMat endorsement?

You can apply for a HazMat endorsement, but you cannot receive the endorsement if the background checks determine that you were convicted of a felony that disqualifies you.

How long does it take to complete the required background check?

It normally takes at least 30 days from the date you submit your fingerprints to complete the background check.  The time period can be longer than 30 days.

Can I receive a temporary HazMat endorsement while the background check is completed?

No. The DMV cannot issue the HazMat endorsement until the background checks are completed and approved.  Instead, the DMV will provide by mail a CDL with the HazMat endorsement that is valid for 90 days if:

Must I provide fingerprints again when I apply to renew my HazMat endorsement?

Yes.  You must provide your fingerprints each time you apply to renew your HazMat endorsement, and new background checks will be performed.

Must I provide fingerprints for the Farm HazMat (Z) endorsement ?

No. You must provide fingerprints for an H endorsement or an X endorsement on your CDL.

How often must I take the written test for a HazMat endorsement?

To keep your HazMat endorsement, you must pass the HazMat endorsement written test at a DMV office within two years before the renewal of your NYS CDL.

At which DMV offices can I have my fingerprints taken and take the written test for a HazMat endorsement?

Only the DMV offices listed below can take your fingerprints.  You can take the HazMat endorsement test at any of the offices listed, or you can take the test at another DMV office. See the list of all DMV offices for information about offices that do not provide written tests.

DMV Offices That Take Fingerprints
(If you apply at a different DMV office, you must go to the NY State Police to have fingerprints taken)
NYS DMV
11 Greenwich St.
New York, NY
Fingerprint Hours:
M-F, 8:30 am – noon 		NYS DMV
1350 Commerce Ave
Bronx, NY
Fingerprint Hours:
M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.		 NYS DMV
2875 W 8th St.
Brooklyn, NY
Fingerprint Hours:
M,T,W,F 8:30 a.m. – noon
Th. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
NYS DMV
141 East Service Rd.
Staten Island, NY
Fingerprint Hours:
M-F, 8:30 a.m. – noon		 NYS DMV
168-46 91st Ave 2nd Fl
Jamaica, NY
Fingerprint Hours:
M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.		  

Where can I get more information about the NYS CDL HazMat endorsements?

You can contact the NYS HazMat Certification Unit at 518-408-2997 or by e-mail at HazMatUnit@dmv.state.ny.us.  Use the phone number and e-mail address only for questions about the CDL HazMat endorsement requirements in NYS.

Annual NYS Truck Safety and Education Conference

Each year, normally in April, the NYS DMV and the NYS Motor Truck Association host the NYS Truck Safety and Education Conference.  The conference focuses on government and private sector partnerships to improve safety, compliance and security in the truck transportation industry in NYS.  The conference is for motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle drivers, other industry professions and government representatives.

The conference is a one and one-half day event. It provides educational workshops to keep you informed about NYS and federal commercial motor vehicle regulations. At the conference, you can discuss issues with, and ask questions of, representatives from the government agencies that regulate commercial motor vehicles and drivers. You can also confer with your industry peers.

Exhibitors who participate in the conference Resource Fair can help provide you with the details about the latest information and services available for commercial drivers and carriers from the industry and the government.

The 2008 conference, held April 9 and 10 in Albany, drew more than 300 participants.

This page will include news and updated information about the 2009 conference dates.  Bookmark and return to this page to get the latest information.

If you have questions, or you want to be added the conference mailing list, call the DMV CDL Policy Unit at (518) 473-9938 or 408-2988, or send an e-mail to trucksafetyconference@dmv.state.ny.us.

You can also contact the NYS Motor Truck Association at (518) 458-9696 or send an e-mail to kadams@nytrucks.org.

Forms Related to Commercial Drivers

Below is a list of forms used by or related to commercial motor vehicle drivers.  You must have a version number of 4.0 or later of Adobe Acrobat Reader® installed on your computer to use the on-line manual. The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader® is free at the Adobe web site.

The forms are listed in order by the number of the form.

Form Description/Purpose Size
Explanation of License Classes, Endorsements and Restrictions
CDL-101		 See also form MV-500C, Driver License Class Descriptions. 1 page
Important Information about the Hazardous Materials Endorsement.
HAZ-11		 Instructions and requirements for the NYS CDL HazMat endorsement and a list of Federal and NYS violations that can disqualify a CDL driver. See also form HAZ-44 and form SP-1. 2 pages
Application for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement
HAZ-44		 Application to get or to renew a CDL HazMat (H or X) endorsement), and a list of offenses that result in an interim disqualification or a permanent disqualification. See also form HAZ-11 and form SP-1. 2 pages
Elimination of Non-CDL C License Class
MV-14IN

Eliminacion de la licencia de conducir no comercial (Non-CDL) clase C
MV-141S		 Memo and Driver License Class Descriptions related to the elimination of the Non-CDL C license class in NYS.  For more information, see the web page about the elimination of the Non-CDL C license class. 2 pages


2 páginas
Federal Requirements for Commercial Driver License (CDL) Applicants
MV-44.5		 Information for applicants for original or renewal NYS commercial driver licenses. You can also read the DMV web site page about the Federal requirements. 2 pages
Vehicle Escort Driver Application
MV-65

Solicitud Para Los Conductores Accompañates de Vehículos
MV-65S		 Application for certificate to operate as an escort driver for oversize vehicles. Applicants must pass a written test based on the NYS Certified Escort Manual available from DMV Offices or Call Centers. 1 page

1 página
Driver's Manual for the Safe Securement of Metal Coils and Other Cargo
MV-79		 Manual to study for the written test required for the metal coil (M) endorsement requirement for certain commercial driver licenses (CDLs).  For more information, see form MV79M below.
TIP -- Large file, recommend save to local disk.		 42 pages
Metal Coil Driver License Endorsement
MV-79M		 Information about the metal coil (M) endorsement requirement for certain commercial driver licenses (CDLs) that took effect June 1, 2003.  Also see manual MV-79 above. 1 page
Driver License Class Descriptions
MV-500C		 See also form CDL-101, Explanation of License Classes, Endorsements and Restrictions 1 page
Important Information About Non-CDL C Written and Road Tests
MV-500N		 Provides information about how to apply for a NYS non-CDL Class C driver license and the endorsements that are available. Explains which parts of the NYS CDL Manual (CDL-10) an applicant must study to prepare for a non-CDL Class C license written test. 1 page
State Police Fingerprint Locations
(SP-1)		 A list of State Police locations that can take your fingerprints for an application for a CDL HazMat (H or X) endorsement) See also form HAZ-11 and form HAZ-44. 1 page
Forms For Article 19A Carriers Listing of all internet-available forms for motor carriers employing bus drivers.