• HMG-127 [October 2, 2024]
• Hazardous Materials Regulations
• OTMA ePortal

For questions regarding an OTMA approval, denial or cancellation, please contact Tim.Brown@dot.gov.
For all other inquiries, please email HMASSIST@dot.gov.
 

OTMA Types 

QuickGuide

NARs

Prior to requesting an OTMA from FRA, hazardous materials shippers must obtain written approval from the railroad(s) to offer a non-conforming bulk package for transportation under an OTMA. Hazardous materials shippers may use the contact information below to obtain written approval from the appropriate railroad(s). Please do not use these email addresses for any other purposes.

• BNSF Railway
• CPKC
• CSX Transportation
• Canadian National
• Norfolk Southern Railway
• Union Pacific Railroad - Hazmat: ncsc_hazmat@up.com

In Canada, the transportation of dangerous goods is regulated by Transport Canada under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations. Transport Canada has requirements for movements in Canada similar to FRA’s requirements for movements in the U.S. Contact Transport Canada at the email address and website below for additional information.

•  TDG Approvals Email Address
•  Temporary Certificate Application

• Motive, Power & Equipment Regulations
• Movement Approvals
• Motive, Power & Equipment (MP&E) Contact

• 49 CFR § 173.31(a)(3)
• Overdue Tank Qualification 


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• Is an OTMA required for a damaged or missing placard?

Per 49 CFR § 172.516(c) Visibility and Display of Placards an OTMA is not required for a damaged or missing placard.

• Overloaded by Volume
  OTMA approval is not granted for packages overloaded by volume. Grantee must unload the overage amount before moving the package in transportation. If circumstances cause immediate threat or harm to human health or to the environment, please contact HMASSIST@dot.gov.
   
• Overloaded cars containing non-hazardous material do not require an OTMA. Grantees must work with the carrier(s) directly regarding movement of the car(s).

• Are OTMAs required for AAR tank cars?

  YES – If the package is built to DOT Specification; NO - If the car is not built to DOT Specification.

• What is the status of my OTMA?
  Status updates are no longer provided by email. Anyone emailing FRA regarding the status of an OTMA should not expect a response. Status updates may be found on the applicant’s dashboard in the ePortal.

49 CFR § 172.704(a)(2)(i) - All persons submitting OTMAs must receive hazmat function-specific training from their respective employer in accordance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 172.704(a)(2)(i). Failure to comply with the provisions of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) may result in recommendations for enforcement and civil penalties. 

• OTMA confirmation emails are sent to every email included on an OTMA
• OTMA 1s, OTMA 2s and OTMA 3s all receive confirmation emails
• OTMA confirmation emails are provided as a courtesy only and are not required for moving a car on an OTMA-3. 
• If an applicant does not receive a confirmation email after submitting an OTMA, they may check the status of the OTMA on their dashboard as confirmation that FRA has received the OTMA application. For more information, please review the OTMA Status tab under the OTMA ePortal Guide above. 

FRA is aware the PDF feature is not completely readable. Applicants should expect that the PDF feature may be disabled for a period of time while FRA works to remedy this issue. There is no time frame as to when the PDF feature will be repaired and available, however, FRA is actively working to remediate this issue as quickly as possible

Why was my OTMA denied or cancelled?

OTMA Data