Posted On: June 30, 2026
Every day in the United States, millions of tons of hazardous materials move across roads, railways, airways, and waterways. These materials are part of everyday business and daily life. They can be poisonous, toxic, flammable, explosive, or corrosive, which is why the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires anyone involved in handling or shipping them to be properly trained.
DOT Hazmat training is a federal requirement under 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H, enforced by the DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). It applies to anyone involved in a hazardous materials shipment, from the employee who packages the material in a warehouse to the driver who transports it on public roads.
The DOT defines a hazmat employee as any person who directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety. If any of the following describes your job, DOT Hazmat training is a federal requirement.
Truck drivers who transport hazardous materials, including flammable liquids, compressed gases, corrosives, explosives, poisons, and radioactive materials on U.S. roads, must complete DOT Hazmat training.
Warehouse workers and shipping personnel who prepare hazardous materials for transport, select and fill containers, mark or label packages, or complete shipping papers for hazmat shipments must be trained before performing those functions.
Freight forwarders, logistics coordinators, and dispatchers who offer hazardous materials for transportation or prepare shipping documents for hazmat shipments are also subject to DOT Hazmat training requirements.
Employees involved in transporting hazardous materials by air, highway, rail, or water are also required to complete DOT Hazmat training.
Our DOT Hazmat training suite provides workers with an understanding of the regulations enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
The courses cover how to read and apply the Hazardous Materials Table, complete shipping paperwork correctly, and mark, label, and placard hazmat shipments in accordance with DOT regulations.
The training is ideal for individuals who offer hazardous materials for transportation, as well as employees involved in transporting hazardous materials by air, highway, rail, or water.
The training suite includes multiple topics that must be completed in sequence. Hazmat employees are required to complete recurrent training at least once every three years in accordance with 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H.
Topics covered in DOT Hazmat training:DOT Hazmat training must be renewed at least once every three years. This is a federal requirement under 49 CFR 172.704.
All topics in the DOT Hazmat training suite must be completed in sequence and retaken every three years to maintain compliance. Employers are responsible for tracking training renewal dates and ensuring that no employee performs hazmat functions with expired training.
Yes. The DOT Hazmat training suite is available online through OSHA Training School. The training is self-paced and can be completed on any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Workers can complete their required DOT training on their own schedule without attending a classroom or missing work. Upon successful completion, they receive a printable certificate of completion immediately.
Whether you are an individual employee or an employer managing multiple workers, OSHA Training School makes DOT Hazmat compliance simple and convenient. Enroll online today, complete your training at your own pace, and receive a printable certificate immediately upon completion.
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