Hazmat safety permit (HMSP)

Hazmat safety permit (HMSP): A hazmat safety permit (HMSP) is a federal permit a motor carrier must hold before hauling the most dangerous hazardous materials, such as large amounts of explosives, highway route-controlled radioactive loads, certain poison inhalation hazards and bulk natural gas. FMCSA issues it only to carriers with strong safety records. Source

Which loads need an HMSP

• A highway route-controlled quantity of Class 7 radioactive material.
• More than 25 kg (55 lb) of Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosives, or a placarded amount of Division 1.5.
• More than 1 liter per package of a hazard zone A poison inhalation material, or a zone B one in bulk.
• Zone C or D poison inhalation materials, and bulk methane or natural gas, in packaging of 3,500 gallons or more.

The list is in 49 CFR 385.403. Source

Who qualifies

FMCSA issues the permit only to a carrier with a Satisfactory safety rating whose crash rate and driver, vehicle, hazmat and total out-of-service rates are not in the worst 30% nationally. The carrier must carry the required insurance, certify a security program with a security plan, a communications plan and security training, and be registered with PHMSA. Source A permit lasts two years unless suspended or revoked. Source

In practice

A carrier hauling bulk liquefied natural gas in 10,000 gallon cryogenic trailers needs an HMSP because the load is bulk methane in packaging of 3,500 gallons or more. Each truck carries a copy of the permit or its number, and each driver checks in with the carrier at the start and end of every duty tour and at pickup and delivery of each permitted load, with the records kept six months. Source See the hazmat trucking guide, the hazmat classes chart and hazmat quantity thresholds.

HMSP vs other hazmat paperwork

The HMSP sits on top of the usual hazmat requirements, it doesn't replace them. A carrier with a safety permit still needs PHMSA registration, insurance at the hazmat level, drivers with the H or X endorsement, shipping papers, placards and a security plan. The permit adds the safety-record test, the communications plan and the route and inspection rules for the loads it covers.

Most carriers never need one. If a shipper's load falls on the 385.403 list and you don't hold a permit, the answer is no, however good the rate looks.