A TWIC card gives truck drivers access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels without needing an escort. If your freight takes you into ports or other restricted maritime facilities, having a TWIC card can expand the loads you're able to haul and help you avoid delays associated with escorted access.
Most truck drivers don't need a TWIC card, but it can be particularly valuable for flatbed and specialized drivers who haul freight through ports and other secure maritime facilities.
A new Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) enrollment currently costs $127, and the credential is generally valid for five years. To get one, you'll need to apply with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), provide acceptable identification, complete fingerprinting and a photo, and pass a TSA security threat assessment.
At Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we see the value of TWIC firsthand, particularly for flatbed drivers. ATS helps interested drivers apply for TWIC during orientation, including helping them get to a nearby TWIC enrollment center before they hit the road.
TWIC stands for Transportation Worker Identification Credential. It is a biometric security credential issued by the TSA for people who need unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels.
For truck drivers, that can include picking up or delivering freight at certain ports and other secure maritime locations.
A TWIC card isn't the same thing as your CDL. Instead, it verifies that you've completed the required TSA security threat assessment and are eligible for unescorted access to applicable secure maritime areas.
For truck drivers, one of the biggest benefits of having a TWIC card is flexibility: You're prepared to access applicable secure maritime facilities when a freight opportunity requires it.
Not every truck driver needs a TWIC card.
Whether you need one depends largely on where your freight takes you. Drivers who need unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities generally need a valid TWIC credential.
Without one, access may be restricted or require an approved escort, depending on the facility and circumstances.
That's why TWIC can be especially useful for drivers who want the flexibility to haul freight involving ports and other secure maritime locations.
A new TWIC enrollment currently costs $127.
Some applicants qualify for a reduced fee of $93 if they hold a qualifying Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) or FAST (Free and Secure Trade) card.
TWIC renewal costs depend on how you renew:
Because TSA fees can change, check the current TSA TWIC enrollment information before applying or renewing.
TWIC eligibility isn't limited to truck drivers. The credential is available to several categories of workers who meet TSA requirements.
Eligible applicants can include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, naturalized citizens and certain non-U.S. citizens who meet applicable immigration requirements.
Applicants must also complete TSA's security threat assessment.
Certain criminal offenses, immigration issues, warrants or other security-related circumstances can affect eligibility.
Having a criminal record doesn't automatically mean you can't get a TWIC card.
TSA considers specific disqualifying offenses and circumstances as part of its security threat assessment. Depending on the offense and circumstances, a disqualification may be permanent or apply for a specific period.
Disqualifying circumstances can include certain serious offenses involving terrorism, transportation security, explosives, murder and other crimes specified by TSA. Other offenses may result in temporary disqualification.
Applicants may also have appeal or waiver options in certain situations.
Because eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, check TSA's current TWIC eligibility and disqualification information rather than assuming a previous conviction automatically makes you ineligible.
You'll need acceptable identification and citizenship or immigration documentation when completing your enrollment.
Exactly what you need depends on the documents you have available. TSA allows applicants to establish their identity and eligibility using an acceptable combination of documents.
Before your appointment, check the current TWIC document requirements so you know exactly what to bring.
Showing up without the correct documents can delay your application.
The TWIC application process is relatively straightforward. Here's what to expect.
You can begin the TWIC enrollment process online.
Starting online can make the in-person portion of the process easier and give you a head start before visiting an enrollment center.
Find a TWIC enrollment center that's convenient for you.
Walk-ins may be available, but scheduling an appointment can help reduce waiting time, especially when you're trying to fit enrollment around your driving schedule.
Bring the identification and citizenship or immigration documents required for your situation.
Make sure the information on your application is accurate and matches your documentation.
As part of enrollment, you'll have your fingerprints and photograph taken.
TSA uses this information as part of its identity verification and security threat assessment.
The standard new-applicant fee is currently $127, with a reduced $93 fee available to certain qualifying HME or FAST card holders.
TSA will review your information to determine whether you meet TWIC eligibility requirements.
Applying for TWIC does not guarantee approval. Because TWIC is a TSA credential, TSA makes the final eligibility and approval decision.
If you're approved, you'll receive your TWIC credential according to the delivery option available through the enrollment process.
Once it's active, keep the card secure and carry it when you need access to applicable maritime facilities.
Don't wait until you have a port load scheduled to start the TWIC application process.
TSA says many eligible applicants receive their TWIC card relatively quickly. However, applications involving more complex circumstances can take 60 days or longer to process.
Processing time can vary based on the individual application, background information and whether TSA needs additional information.
If you know you're likely to need TWIC access for future freight, applying early can help prevent the credential from becoming the reason you can't take a load.
A TWIC card is generally valid for five years.
You'll need to renew it to maintain your credential and continue using it for applicable unescorted access.
Don't wait until your card expires to start thinking about renewal. Starting early can help prevent a lapse that could temporarily limit the freight or facilities you can access.
Many eligible TWIC holders can renew online without returning to an enrollment center.
The current fee for online renewal is $119, compared with $127 for an in-person renewal.
Online renewal can be particularly convenient for OTR truck drivers because it can eliminate an additional trip to an enrollment center.
Check TSA's current TWIC renewal requirements before starting because some applicants may still need to renew in person.
The biggest advantage of having a TWIC card is flexibility.
If a load requires access to a secure maritime facility, a driver without the appropriate credential may face access restrictions or need an escort. Depending on the facility, that can mean paying an escort fee and waiting until an escort is available.
That waiting time can add downtime to a load, while having TWIC may allow an eligible driver to enter applicable secure areas without relying on an escort.
That doesn't mean getting a TWIC card automatically increases your pay.
Instead, think of it as another qualification that can expand the types of freight you're prepared to haul and reduce potential access delays when freight takes you into secure maritime facilities.
At ATS, flatbed drivers tend to use TWIC credentials more often than dry van drivers. However, the need for dry van drivers to access ports has been increasing, making TWIC useful for both driver groups depending on their freight.
Some ATS freight requires drivers to enter ports or other secure maritime facilities. Having TWIC can give drivers more flexibility to take those loads and move through applicable secure areas without waiting for an escort.
Drivers without TWIC may still be able to enter some facilities, depending on the facility's rules, but they may need an approved escort. For drivers, that can mean paying an escort fee and waiting for an escort to become available, adding both expense and downtime to the load.
For most ATS drivers outside of ATS Secure, TWIC tends to be more useful for the freight we haul than having a Hazmat endorsement. That doesn't mean every ATS driver needs TWIC or that Hazmat isn't valuable. Which credential matters most depends on the freight you're hauling.
Yes. ATS helps interested drivers apply for TWIC during orientation.
Drivers should arrive at orientation with the identification and eligibility documents TSA requires to apply, such as a passport, birth certificate, or other accepted documentation. ATS can then help drivers get to a nearby TWIC enrollment center to complete the application process before they hit the road.
For drivers attending orientation in St. Cloud, Minnesota, a TWIC enrollment location is conveniently available in the area.
Applying does not guarantee that a driver will receive a TWIC card. Because TWIC is administered by TSA, TSA determines whether each applicant meets the eligibility requirements and is approved.
How ATS handles the $127 TWIC application fee depends on whether you're a company driver or independent contractor:
This allows interested drivers to get the application process underway during orientation rather than waiting until they're already on the road and encounter freight that requires TWIC access.
Depending on the freight you want to haul, other truck driver certifications and clearances may also expand the opportunities available to you.
TWIC and a Hazmat endorsement can both expand the freight a driver is qualified to haul, but they serve different purposes. At ATS, which one is more useful depends on the freight you haul and the type of driving you do.
| TWIC | Hazmat | |
|---|---|---|
| What does it allow? | Unescorted access to applicable secure maritime facilities | Hauling qualifying hazardous materials |
| Does every ATS driver need it? | No | No |
| Useful for ATS flatbed drivers? | Often; flatbed drivers tend to use TWIC most | Depends on freight |
| Useful for ATS dry van drivers? | Yes, with port-access needs increasing | Depends on freight |
| Useful for ATS Secure drivers? | Depends on assignment | More relevant than for most ATS drivers |
| Which is generally more useful at ATS? | For most ATS drivers outside ATS Secure, TWIC tends to be more useful | More dependent on specific freight or ATS Secure assignments |
For most ATS drivers, this isn't necessarily an either-or decision. Both credentials can be useful, but TWIC tends to provide more day-to-day value for the freight ATS hauls outside of ATS Secure. Flatbed drivers are especially likely to benefit, while the need for dry van drivers to access ports has also been increasing.
An active TWIC credential can provide another benefit when you're off the road: eligible TWIC holders can use their TWIC Credential Identification Number (CIN) as their Known Traveler Number for TSA PreCheck.
Eligible TWIC holders don't need to enroll separately in the TSA PreCheck Application Program or pay an additional enrollment fee to receive this benefit.
Not every TWIC holder automatically qualifies. TSA PreCheck eligibility requirements still apply, and TWIC holders who received their credential through a TSA waiver aren't eligible for this benefit.
Visit TSA PreCheck for current eligibility and travel information.
Don't assume that every passenger riding with you will automatically be allowed into a secure port or maritime facility.
Access requirements can vary by facility and situation. Someone without a TWIC card may need an approved escort or may not be permitted into certain secure areas.
If you regularly travel with a spouse, family member or other passenger and expect to haul port freight, check the specific facility's access requirements before arriving.
If you expect to haul freight involving secure maritime facilities, apply before you actually need the credential.
While many applications are processed relatively quickly, more complicated cases can take 60 days or longer. Waiting until a port load is already available could mean missing the opportunity while your application is being processed.
Applying ahead of time gives you one more qualification that's ready when you need it.
At ATS, interested drivers can begin the process during orientation. Company drivers who bring the required documents can have their application fee paid by ATS, while independent contractors can have the $127 fee advanced from their sign-on bonus.
The following are some of the most common questions truck drivers and prospective ATS drivers have about TWIC cards. Answers combine current TSA requirements with ATS's experience helping drivers obtain and use TWIC credentials for the freight they haul.
The standard fee for a new TWIC enrollment is currently $127. Eligible applicants with a qualifying HME or FAST card may pay a reduced $93 fee.
Processing times vary. Many eligible applicants receive their credential relatively quickly, while more complex applications can take 60 days or longer. Apply early if you expect to need TWIC access for work.
TWIC credentials are generally valid for five years before renewal is required.
You can begin the application process online, but new applicants must complete the required in-person enrollment steps, including providing documentation, fingerprints and a photograph.
Online TWIC renewal currently costs $119. In-person renewal currently costs $127.
Potentially. A felony conviction doesn't automatically disqualify every applicant. TSA identifies specific permanent and temporary disqualifying offenses and provides appeal or waiver processes in certain circumstances.
No. TWIC isn't exclusively a trucking credential. It is used by workers who require unescorted access to secure maritime facilities and vessels, so holding a CDL isn't what determines TWIC eligibility.
No. Whether TWIC is necessary depends on the freight you haul and the facilities you need to access. It is particularly useful for drivers whose work involves secure maritime facilities.
Potentially. Access requirements vary by facility, but drivers without TWIC may be allowed into certain secure areas with an approved escort. For drivers, that can mean paying an escort fee and waiting for an escort to become available.
Certain applicants with a valid Hazmat endorsement may qualify for the reduced $93 TWIC enrollment fee. A qualifying FAST card can also make an applicant eligible for the reduced rate.
Eligible active TWIC holders can use their TWIC Credential Identification Number as the Known Traveler Number on an airline reservation to receive TSA PreCheck benefits without separately enrolling in the TSA PreCheck Application Program. TSA PreCheck eligibility requirements still apply.
Not automatically. A TWIC card can expand the freight and facilities you're qualified to access and may help reduce delays associated with escorted access. Actual driver earnings depend on factors such as carrier, freight, mileage, compensation structure and individual circumstances.
Yes. ATS flatbed drivers tend to use TWIC credentials more frequently than dry van drivers. However, port-access needs for ATS dry van drivers have been increasing, making TWIC useful for both driver groups depending on their freight.
For most ATS drivers outside of ATS Secure, TWIC tends to be more useful for the freight ATS hauls than a Hazmat endorsement. The value of either credential ultimately depends on the driver's freight and assignments.
Yes. ATS helps interested drivers apply for TWIC during orientation and can help them get to a nearby TWIC enrollment center. Drivers need to bring the identification and eligibility documents TSA requires to apply. TSA makes the final approval decision.
For company drivers applying during orientation, ATS pays the TWIC application fee as long as the driver brings the required application documents. For independent contractors, ATS advances the $127 application fee from the driver's sign-on bonus to cover the cost.
An ATS driver without TWIC may still be able to enter certain ports or secure maritime facilities, depending on the facility's rules. However, the driver may need an approved escort, which can mean an additional fee and extra waiting time before moving through the facility.
The more qualified you are for the freight you want to haul, the more options you can have when loads become available.
A TWIC card can give truck drivers access to secure maritime facilities, eliminate the need for an escort in applicable situations and expand the freight they're prepared to haul.
If you're considering driving with Anderson Trucking Service, talk with an ATS recruiter about the qualifications you may need for the type of freight you're interested in hauling.