Truckers can now show hazmat permits on their phones

The US Department of Transportation is proposing a rule change that lets companies carry hazardous materials permits on their phones. This means drivers will no longer need to carry a physical paper copy of their registration certificate.

For decades, rules required physical paper copies of permits for hazardous materials. This meant if a driver forgot their paper, or if it was lost or damaged, they could face fines or delays. Allowing digital copies removes a common point of friction and potential non-compliance for carriers.