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The Transportation Security Administration has granted a temporary exemption from requirements regarding the expiration of TSA Security Threat Assessments (STAs) for Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) holders.

For the duration of this exemption, states may extend the expiration date of an HME that expires between July 1, 2022 and December 27, 2022, for a period of up to 180 days. TSA has determined it is in the public interest to grant the exemption at this time to ensure that the HME renewal process does not exacerbate the current difficulties with the transfer and movement of cargo nationwide and at the ports. TSA may extend this exemption depending on HME enrollment volumes and supply chain challenges.

Drivers have been experiencing extensive delays in HME renewals in recent months.  Delays of 60 days or more in completing the STAs after submitting fingerprints are not uncommon.  This exemption is an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on the driver shortage for hazardous materials shipments.

The exemption permits states to extend the expiration date for an HME for up to 180 days for eligible individuals with an HME that expires between July 1, 2022 and December 27, 2022, even if the individual did not initiate or complete submission of required information for an STA at least 60 days before expiration of the HME.

If the State grants an extension to an individual, the State must, if practicable, notify the individual that the state is extending the expiration date of the HME, the date that the extension will end, and the individual’s responsibility to initiate the STA renewal process at least 60 days before the new expiration date. If it is not practicable for a State to give individualized notice to drivers, the State may publish general notice, for example, on the appropriate website.  Thus, drivers are encouraged to check with their State Driver Licensing agency to verify the ongoing validity of their HME.

Currently, there are 250,000 truck drivers with security threat assessments that have expired or are set to expire in 2022. About 22,500 truckers’ security threat assessments expire each month.

If you have any questions, please contact GAWDA Counsel Rick Schweitzer:
(202) 223-3040 office
(703) 946-2548  mobile
rpschweitzer@rpslegal.com