A hazmat endorsement can provide an unexpected benefit when it is time to fly. Active Hazardous Materials Endorsement holders who are eligible for TSA PreCheck can use their existing HME status for expedited airport screening without separately enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Application Program.
TSA has offered the benefit to qualifying HME holders since 2020. Taking advantage of it requires one important step when booking the flight.
Use Your CDL Information When Booking
TSA does not issue a separate Known Traveler Number for the HME benefit. Instead, eligible drivers use the two-letter abbreviation for the state that issued their CDL followed immediately by the identification number on the license.
For example, TSA shows the format as:
NY123456
Enter that combination in the Known Traveler Number field when booking a flight with a participating airline. It can also be saved in a frequent-flyer or travel profile for future trips.
Make sure the name and date of birth on the reservation match the information provided when applying for the HME. Differences between the reservation and HME record can prevent the traveler’s eligibility from being recognized.
Look for TSA PreCheck on the Boarding Pass
After check-in, the boarding pass is what determines whether the traveler can head to the TSA PreCheck lane.
If the TSA PreCheck indicator appears, expedited screening is available for that flight where a PreCheck lane is operating. Showing a hazmat CDL at the checkpoint does not provide access on its own, so check the boarding pass before getting in line.
TSA also notes that expedited screening is not guaranteed for every trip, even for eligible travelers.
An Existing PreCheck Membership Still Works
Drivers who previously enrolled in the TSA PreCheck Application Program do not need to change how they book flights.
TSA allows someone with both an active qualifying HME and a separate PreCheck membership to use either their existing KTN or the HME-based number when making a reservation. If the traditional KTN is already saved with an airline, continuing to use it may be the simplest option.
For an eligible HME holder who has never enrolled separately, however, the existing benefit can eliminate the need to pay for another enrollment solely to access TSA PreCheck.
Remember That Airport ID Is Separate
Using CDL information as a Known Traveler Number does not change what TSA accepts as identification at the security checkpoint.
Since May 7, 2025, travelers 18 and older using a state-issued driver’s license or identification card at airport security generally need a REAL ID-compliant credential. Other TSA-accepted identification, including a U.S. passport, can also be used.
Travelers who arrive without acceptable identification may be required to complete an identity-verification process and undergo additional screening. If TSA cannot confirm their identity, they will not be allowed through the checkpoint.
For drivers who rarely fly, that makes it worth checking both the HME benefit and the identification they plan to bring before heading to the airport.
A Benefit Worth Checking Before Your Next Flight
Professional drivers already complete TSA security vetting to obtain a hazmat endorsement. For those who meet TSA’s eligibility requirements, that process can also provide access to TSA PreCheck without another enrollment fee.
Before the next flight, check whether your active HME qualifies and use the required CDL information when making the reservation. It is a small benefit of the endorsement, but one that can be easy to overlook if you do not fly often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every hazmat endorsement holder qualify?
No. TSA limits the benefit to active HME holders who are eligible for TSA PreCheck, and expedited screening is not guaranteed on every flight.
What happens if TSA PreCheck does not appear on my boarding pass?
Review the Known Traveler Number, name and date of birth entered on the reservation. If the information is correct and the indicator still does not appear, the HME credential alone cannot be used to enter the PreCheck lane.
Can I save my HME-based Known Traveler Number with an airline?
Yes. TSA recommends adding it to frequent-flyer profiles, employer booking systems and other travel profiles so it can be included on future reservations.
Do I need a REAL ID if I have TSA PreCheck through my HME?
TSA PreCheck does not replace airport identification requirements. If you use a state-issued driver’s license or ID at the checkpoint, it generally must be REAL ID compliant, or you can use another TSA-accepted form of identification.
