Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Find your most convenient Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office (see Resources) to start your HME application. Note that not all DMVs accept HME applications, so you are advised to call in advance of your visit. Make sure the office you visit is in the same state in which you require the endorsement. For example, you may drive your commercial vehicle near the state limits in Texas but have a DMV close-by in New Mexico -- in this instance, you would need to find an office in Texas.
Inform the DMV staffer that you wish to apply for an HME renewal and provide him with the requested documents. These vary between states but are almost always your regular driver's license, your commercial driver's license (CDL), proof of U.S. Citizenship (passport, birth certificate) or right of residence (I-551 stamp on passport, permanent resident card) and a Department of Transportation medical form signed by your physician. You must also fill out an HME application form and submit it to the staffer, which you can either complete in advance or on the day that you go to the DMV.
Complete the HazMat knowledge test. You must also provide fingerprints from both of your hands. While the DMV will handle your HME application, you must visit a Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) for fingerprint testing -- the DPSCS almost always has a presence at the DMV, so you will be able to provide your sample at the same time you are completing the application process.
Pay the fees associated with all stages of your application, including a large administrative fee levied on the background check performed on your fingerprints. For example, at the time of publication, the fee for HME background testing in Maryland was $93. In most states, you will receive your HME immediately upon completion of the application stages but may have to wait up to six weeks to receive confirmation of your passing the background record check from the Transportation Safety Administration.