The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, through the Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, manages the registration and permitting for hazardous waste and liquid industrial waste (LIW) transportation in the State of Michigan. 

Hazardous Waste Transportation

Federal transportation legislation directs that states will be preempted from permitting motor carriers of hazardous materials unless they follow a uniform registration and permitting program. Therefore, Michigan along with Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia participate in the National Uniform Hazardous Materials Transportation Program (National Uniform Program). This National Uniform Program requires registration and permitting of hazardous waste transporters regulated under Part 111, Hazardous Waste Management, of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (NREPA).  The authority to issue permits and registrations for hazardous waste transportation in Michigan is found in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 1998 PA 138

A transporter is required to submit a renewal application 90 days prior to expiration of their current credential.

Liquid Industrial Waste Transportation

The National Uniform Program encompasses only hazardous materials, which includes hazardous waste. LIW transportation is managed under a separate program called the Michigan LIW Uniform Program.  This program mirrors the National Uniform Program and requires registration and permitting of liquid industrial waste transporters who are regulated under Part 121, Liquid Industrial Wastes, of the NREPA.

Hazardous waste transporters participating in the National Uniform Program and transporting liquid industrial waste regulated pursuant to Part 121 of the NREPA must complete "The State of Michigan, Department of Environmental Quality, LIW Uniform Program Fee Worksheet, Attachment A", Form EQP5122. The submittal of Attachment A, with appropriate fees, must be made 90 days prior to the expiration of the current Michigan LIW Uniform Program credential. A hazardous waste transporter also transporting liquid industrial waste, who is properly registered and permitted will have two credentials issued. One credential is for the National Uniform Program and the other credential is for the Michigan LIW Uniform Program. Failure to maintain a proper National Uniform Program credential, including maintaining the required MCS-90 for hazardous waste transportation, invalidates the Michigan LIW credential.  If the credential is invalidated, full participation in the registration and permit process of the Michigan LIW Uniform Program is required to transport LIW in Michigan.  Until a new credential is issued the transporter has no authority for that LIW transportation.

A person who is transporting only liquid industrial waste must complete the Michigan LIW Program application as well as Attachment A noted above. The submittal of the complete Michigan LIW Uniform Program application, Attachment A, with appropriate fees, must be made 90 days prior to the expiration of the Michigan LIW Uniform Program credential.

General Information

Upon issuance of the Uniform Credentials, whether through the National Uniform Program or Michigan LIW Uniform Program, a copy of the credentials must be carried in all motor vehicles. The National Uniform Credentials must be carried when transporting hazardous waste or hazardous materials in the other states participating in the National Uniform Program.

Questions regarding this program should be directed to Ms. Barbara Stevens, Transportation Unit, Southeast Michigan District, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, at 586-753-3850.