PHMSA proposes a three-year renewal of the security-plan collection
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published a Federal Register notice November 12 seeking comment on renewing two information collections. The trucking-relevant collection, OMB Control Number 2137-0612, covers hazardous materials security plans required under Part 172 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations. PHMSA plans to request another three-year approval from the Office of Management and Budget. Comments are due January 11, 2027, under docket PHMSA-2026-3961.
The requirement applies only to specified hazmat shipments
PHMSA explains that security-plan requirements in 49 CFR 172.800(b) apply to defined categories and quantities rather than every load bearing a hazmat placard. Examples include more than 3,000 kilograms, or 6,614 pounds, of certain solids in a single packaging; more than 3,000 liters, or 792 gallons, of certain liquids or gases in a cargo tank or other bulk container; any quantity of Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosive material; a large bulk quantity of Division 2.1 material; and any quantity of a poison-by-inhalation material. Fleets must use the full regulation to determine applicability.
Security plans address unauthorized control or attack
The collection supports written procedures intended to reduce the possibility that a hazardous materials shipment could be taken over or attacked and used as a weapon of opportunity by a terrorist or criminal. The notice estimates separate burdens for companies creating a new plan and for companies updating an existing plan. PHMSA estimates a new plan at 50 hours for a large company and 25 hours for a small company, while an update is estimated at 10 and five hours, respectively.
PHMSA estimates more than 425,000 annual burden hours
The security-plan collection is estimated to involve 43,128 respondents, 55,974 annual responses and 425,854 total annual burden hours. Those totals also include rail-specific commodity, route, storage and delay activities within the same OMB control number. They are nationwide paperwork estimates and do not establish how long a particular motor carrier must spend on its plan or prove that a carrier is covered.
The notice does not create a new hazmat rule
PHMSA is requesting comment on the need, clarity, usefulness and estimated burden of an existing information collection. The notice does not broaden the list of covered materials, change a quantity threshold, replace an existing security plan or grant a compliance delay. It also renews a separate generic clearance for voluntary qualitative feedback about agency service delivery; that second collection does not create a routine security-plan filing for drivers.
Driver and fleet takeaway
Hazmat carriers and shippers should confirm whether each operation falls within 49 CFR 172.800(b), identify the current written plan and responsible personnel, and verify that procedures match actual terminals, equipment, routes, parking, communications and access controls. Review changes in commodities, packaging, quantities, customers and facilities that may affect applicability or require an update. Drivers should know the security procedures assigned to their role and promptly report suspicious activity or unauthorized access through company and emergency channels. Stakeholders with direct experience may submit specific burden or clarity comments by January 11, but should avoid placing sensitive security details or unprotected personal information in the public docket.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration — Hazardous Materials Information Collection Activities
This original summary adds CDL-focused context. Visit the named publication for its full reporting and later updates.
Visit source publication →