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Waste Transporter FAQs

Who needs a permit?
Anyone engaged in highway transport of regulated waste generated or disposed of within New York State must have a New York State Part 364 waste transporter permit (with some exceptions, noted below). A regulated waste includes waste that is:

Regulated waste includes:

  • Hazardous waste....(requires USEPA ID number)
  • Nonhazardous by products of an industrial or commercial process (including sludges)
  • Waste tires
  • Waste oil....(requires USEPA ID number)
  • Petroleum-contaminated soil
  • Regulated Medical Waste (includes liquid waste from a funeral home)
  • Asbestos
  • Residential septage
  • Nonresidential raw sewage or sewage-contaminated wastes
  • Sludge from a sewage treatment plant or water supply treatment plant
  • Low-level radioactive waste (LLRW). For LLRW, highway transport through the State (i.e., no stopping to pick up or dispose) also requires a permit.

It is the responsibility of the transporter and generator to accurately classify the waste. This includes any testing that may be needed to determine whether or not the waste is hazardous.

Who does not need a permit?
6 NYCRR Part 364 exempts a range of waste types and waste transported under certain conditions. The list below is not an exhaustive one, but notes the most frequently applied exemptions.

A waste transporter permit is not required for the following:

  • Municipal solid waste (i.e., household garbage).
  • Construction and demolition debris (that does not contain friable asbestos).
  • Non-friable asbestos
  • Nonhazardous scrap (such as scrap metal, plastic).
  • Any single truckload of non-hazardous regulated waste (except hazardous, regulated medical and residential septage) less than 500 pounds.

How do I get a permit?
Complete the application form (pdf, 35Kb)
obtained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials. You will need to identify:

  1. Name and address of the transporter.
  2. License plate numbers.
  3. states of registration of vehicles used to transport waste.
  4. The general category(ies) of wastes you intend to transport.
  5. Primary waste transporter facility address for vehicles (P.O. box number is not acceptable).
  6. Signed authorization from each destination facility you will be transporting waste to.

Sign the application and mail the completed original application to NYSDEC Waste Transporter Program, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-7253.

How much does it cost?
There is an annual fee for the transporter permit. The amount is established in State law and is based on the number of vehicles and type of waste transported. Permittees are liable for the fee even if the permit is not used.

  • The rate for septage only is $250 for the first vehicle and $100 for each additional vehicle.
  • The rate for all other waste is $500 for the first vehicle and $200 for each additional vehicle.

Do NOT send fee payments with a permit application, modification or renewal. You will be billed by DEC's Regulatory Fee Unit AFTER the permit is issued.
If you have questions about fees or billing, please call 800-225-2566.

How do I modify my permit?
Complete a Permit Application (pdf, 35Kb)

  • Complete Part A and check "Modification" in Box A8.
  • Under Part B, include the vehicle plate numbers and state of registration, and check "Add" or "Delete," as appropriate. Check "Sptg/RRS" if the vehicle is hauling residential raw sewage and/or septage only.
  • Under Part C, check which waste types you are adding and/or deleting. Check add facility or delete facility, sign and date (must be original).
  • Under Part D, mail just this page to the facility you are adding the waste to or adding the facility itself. They must complete, sign and date and mail form back to you the transporter.

    Then the transporter mails the complete modification application to NYSDEC.
  • Note: Waste transporters must notify the Department of Environmental Conservation of any changes in license plate numbers on vehicles used to transport waste. License plate number changes include additions and deletions, even when the actual truck remains the same (for example, if a plate is lost and replaced).

Modification requests must have original signatures. Please do not fax or e-mail requests to DEC. Modifications may result in additional fees if additional vehicles are added to the permit.

How long does it take?
By law, DEC must make a permit decision within 15 days from the date of receipt of a modification application. The waste transporter permit will be mailed to the applicant when issued. A fee bill will be mailed shortly thereafter. DO NOT send payment. The applicant is NOT authorized to transport waste until the permit is received.

Are there special insurance requirements?
General liability insurance is required for transporters of non-hazardous waste. For hazardous waste, regulated medical waste and low-level radioactive waste, the following amounts needed are:

  • $5 million for manifested hazardous waste
  • $5 million for low-level radioactive waste
  • $1 million for unmanifested hazardous waste
  • $100,000 for regulated medical waste

You must have the insurance in place before you transport any of the wastes listed above. You must submit proof of insurance to the Department.

If you transport any of the above waste types, you are required by law to carry general liability insurance in the amounts shown. You must have the insurance in place before you transport any of the wastes listed above. You must submit proof of insurance to DEC at the time of permit renewal.

When do I submit my annual report?
You are required to submit an annual report for the previous year at the time of permit renewal. Use the annual report form (pdf, 28K) provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

What am I responsible for after I get a permit?
Permitted waste transporters are obligated to meet the operating requirements as set forth in New York State law and regulation (6 NYCRR Part 364). Primary responsibilities of the transporter include:

  • Manifesting shipments of hazardous waste, low-level radioactive waste and regulated medical waste as required by New York State Environmental Conservation Law and implement regulations;
  • placarding hazardous waste shipments as required by New York State Transportation Law;
  • Identifying the type of waste transported, including any testing that may be necessary to determine whether or not the waste is hazardous;
  • Ensuring that the waste is delivered to an authorized waste receiving facility, and that each shipment conforms to the operating requirements of that facility;
  • Transporting wastes only in vehicles included on the waste transporter permit;
  • Maintaining records of the amount of waste transported to each receiving facility;
  • Paying the annual regulatory fee in full. Permittee is liable for this fee even if the permit is not used;
  • Notifying the Department of vehicle additions or deletions;
  • Completing the annual renewal notice and submitting it to the Department by the required due date as displayed on the renewal notice;
  • Notifying the Department when you wish to discontinue your permit;
  • Display the full name of the transporter on both sides of each vehicle and display the five-character waste transporter permit number on both sides and the rear of each vehicle containing waste. The displayed name and permit number must be in characters at least three inches high and of a color that contrasts sharply with the background; and,
  • Contain all wastes in the vehicle so there is no leaking, blowing or other discharge of waste.

Important Phones Numbers and Related Links
For questions on Permits, call DEC at 518-402-8707.
For questions on Permit Fees, call DEC at 800-225-2566.