Carriers may now carry electronic hazmat registration certificates

Motor carriers transporting hazardous materials no longer need to keep a paper copy of their PHMSA registration certificate in the truck. A final rule now allows carriers to carry the certificate or a document showing the registration number in electronic form.

The change applies to the recordkeeping requirements in 49 CFR 107.620. Carriers can store the file on a phone, tablet, or laptop. The document must be ready to show when an inspector asks for it.

This rule takes effect on September 3, 2026. Companies can update their driver checklists and dispatch procedures before that date. Drivers should save a clear digital copy of their current registration number.

PHMSA made this change after industry groups asked for more flexibility. The agency stated that electronic records do not reduce safety. Inspectors and first responders can access digital files just as easily as paper copies.

Carriers must still make the registration document available to authorized enforcement personnel upon request. The format does not change the requirement to have the document on the vehicle during transport.

Source: Federal Register — https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/04/2026-15813/hazardous-materials-reducing-recordkeeping-requirements-for-domestic-carriers