In The News

Fees for small hazmat carriers remain relatively unchanged

While large motor carriers face hazmat registration fees that are more than two-and-a-half times higher than in the past, the fees for small motor carriers remain essentially unchanged.

The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced the 2010-2011 hazardous materials registration fees in late March. Large motor carriers will now pay $2,575 – up from $975. Small motor carriers, which are companies with less than $25.5 million in annual revenue, still pay $250.

The agency once had a funding reserve that helped pay for its $28.3 million budget to fund the hazardous material emergency preparedness grants program. The registration fees needed to be increased starting in 2010 because the reserve was tapped out.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association filed comments urging the agency to leave the $250 fee for small businesses motor carriers as it was – and not increase the financial burden faced by small companies.

The Association also pointed out in its comments that even at the $250 per carrier fee, small motor carriers would be paying a higher registration per vehicle than larger motor carriers.

The only additional fee small motor carriers will face is an additional $25 processing fee – which large motor carriers will also have to pay.

The registration fees for the 2010-2011 year are due by July 1, 2010. Motor carriers can register with the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration by clicking here .

A list of which trucking companies must register with PHMSA can be found here . For more information, call the PHMSA at 202-366-4109.

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