DOT Registration FAQs

Per the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations found in 49 CFR Part 107 Subpart G, shippers and transporters of certain types and quantities of hazardous materials and/or hazardous wastes are required to register with the Agency. This program began in 1992 and is managed by the Associate Administrator for the Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Each registration year runs from July 1 to June 30.

When do I need to register?

Now! Registrations are due by June 30, 2025.

What are the 2025-2026 registration fees?

The cost for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, will be the same as last year, as shown in the table below. An additional $25 processing fee for each registration form will also be incurred. You may register for 1, 2, or 3 years at a time, which can save the additional processing fees versus registering annually.

What are my fees used for?

The fees the Agency collects help communities prepare for hazardous materials incidents. They are distributed to states, tribes, and non-profit organizations for hazmat emergency response planning, and to tribes, states, and certain professional organizations for training purposes through the Hazardous Materials Grants Program. 

How can I register?

By mail: PHMSA highly encourages online registrations; however, the form and a check can be mailed to the Agency when necessary. Instructions can be found on the Registration by Mail Details website.

Online: Payments can be made by electronic check (ACH) or using a credit or debit card. Your registration certificate can be printed as soon as the payment is verified by the Agency. Tips for registering, along with the new PHMSA portal login requirements, can be found in the 2025-2026 Hazmat Registration Brochure.

Who needs to register?

If you are a person who offers or transports shipments containing any of the following categories of hazardous materials (including hazardous wastes).

• A highway route-controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material, shipped by highway, rail, air, or water
• More than 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 (explosive) material in a motor vehicle, rail car, or freight container
• More than 1 liter (1.06 quarts) per package of a material extremely toxic by inhalation (hazard zone A poison inhalation hazard)
• Hazardous materials and/or wastes in a bulk packaging with a capacity of 3,500 gallons or more (liquids or gases) or more than 468 cubic feet (solids) even if placards are not required (e.g., Class 9 material)
• Shipments of 2,268 kg (5,000 pounds) or more (gross weight) of one hazard class, not in bulk packaging, for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car, or freight container is required for that class
• Shipments that require a placard (see below)

When are placards required?

With few exceptions, shipments of hazardous material and/or waste require placarding when they include:

• Any amount in bulk packaging (>119 gallons or 882 pounds), except those in Class 9 and Division 6.2
• Any amount with a subsidiary hazard of 4.3 (dangerous when wet) or 6.1 (poisonous by inhalation)
• Uranium hexafluoride
• Any amount in Table 1[49 CFR 172.504(e)]
• More than 1001 pounds gross aggregate weight of materials in Table 2 [49 CFR 172.504(e)]

The majority of organizations that register with the DOT must do so because their shipments need placards. It doesn’t take much to meet the requirement, especially when disposing of hazardous waste. For example, a 30-gallon drum weighs roughly 275 pounds. If you send 4 drums in any of the hazard classes listed in Table 2 above, a placard would be required for the shipment.

Where can I get help with my registration?

For assistance and more information including registration specifications, fees, and placarding requirements you can visit PHMSA’s registration information page or read the 2025-2026 Hazmat Registration Brochure. Even easier, you can contact us! We can help you determine if your organization needs to register as well as assist you with the process!

This blog was written by Kim E. Folger, Safety Partners’ Senior Training and Development Manager.