Hazardous Materials Transportation Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) maintain an information service to disseminate instructional materials for use by Federal, State, and local agencies, and private organizations in training personnel in safe and proper methods of transporting hazardous materials and responding to hazardous materials incidents; (2) take necessary measures to improve the coordination and effectiveness of all Federal, State, local, and private training programs including the establishment or the encouragement of the establishment of regional training centers; (3) promote development of emergency response programs at State, local, and regional levels for incidents involving hazardous materials transportation; and (4) encourage and assist State and local governments in developing programs for the enforcement of Federal rules and regulations in regard to transportation of hazardous materials.

Permits the Secretary to enter into a contract with a private entity for use of a supplemental reporting system and data center operated and maintained by such entity.

Directs the Secretary, within 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act and in consultation with Federal agencies and State, local, and regional governments, to determine whether to issue regulations with regard to the routing of hazardous materials being transported in commerce.

Directs the Secretary, within 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the establishment of a prenotification system that would inform State or local governments in advance of the timing, nature, and routing of hazardous materials shipments through their jurisdictions. Specifies groups and organizations to be consulted in preparing such report. Authorizes one or more demonstration projects of such system.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 for the purposes of such Act.

Hazardous Materials Transportation Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate training programs conducted by Federal, State, and local agencies and private organizations for those who are involved in the transportation of hazardous materials under the authority of such Act. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress an interim report within four months and such final evaluation within eight months following the date of enactment of this Act.

Authorizes the Secretary to develop appropriate training programs and to make recommendations as to how to improve existing programs.

Directs the Secretary to maintain an information service to disseminate instructional materials for use in training personnel in safe and proper methods of transporting hazardous materials. Directs the Secretary to establish or encourage establishment of regional training centers.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the development and implementation of programs for the enforcement of Federal rules, regulations, standards, and orders applicable to hazardous materials transportation.

Directs the Secretary to formulate procedures for a State to submit a plan with regard to hazardous materials transportation. Sets forth criteria for approval of such plans.

Provides for a continuing evaluation of such plans. Specifies procedures for the withdrawal of approval of a plan. Directs the Secretary to reimburse a State up to 50 percent for costs related to such plans.

Directs the Secretary, within 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act and in consultation with Federal agencies and State, local, and regional governments, to determine whether to issue regulations with regard to the routing of hazardous materials being transported in interstate commerce. Sets forth criteria to be considered in promulgating such regulations.

Directs the Secretary, within 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to report to Congress on the establishment of a prenotification system that would inform State or local governments in advance of the timing, nature, and routing of hazardous materials shipments through their jurisdictions. Specifies groups and organizations to be consulted in preparing such report. Authorizes one or more demonstration projects of such system.

Directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with the Secretary and other responsible agencies, to study and evaluate programs that provide training to agencies or organizations responsible for responding to incidents involving hazardous materials transportation. Requires that such study be submitted to Congress within a specified time.

Authorizes the Director, in coordination with the Secretary, to develop appropriate training programs for such incident response personnel. Directs the Secretary, or the Director, to maintain an information dissemination service that provides the necessary instructional materials for training personnel in safe and proper methods for responding to such incidents.

Authorizes the Director to make emergency response planning grants to State, regional, and local governments for specified purposes. Directs the Director to establish the necessary rules and regulations concerning the administration of such grants. Specifies research and development activities to be conducted by the Director in coordination with the Secretary.

Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of this Act.

Permits the Secretary to enter into a contract with a private entity for use of a supplemental reporting system and data center operated and maintained by such entity.