The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has joined the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) and American Trucking Associations (ATA) in an attempt to postpone an interim rule that calls for hazmat drivers to have background checks, including fingerprinting. The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) has also joined the chorus on this issue, as well as a new hours-of-service rule.
TCA wants the Transportation Security Administration to hold off implementation of the interim rule until a comment filed by NTTC and ATA is resolved. NTTC had provided the agency with a number of compelling reasons why the implementation date of this rule should be indefinitely postponed, most notably "the complete lack of preparation and capability of the individual state licensing agencies and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)," TCA said.
TCA further supports the recommendation of the Distribution and LTL Carriers Association (DLTLCA) requesting that the interim final rule be amended to authorize the states to extend the expiration date of an individual's existing endorsement beyond April 29, 2004, the date currently prescribed under the interim ruling.
In addition, TCA agrees with the concerns of DLTLCA and ATA that the proposed ruling does not provide for direct notification to the current motor carrier employer by either the licensing state or a federal agency regarding the determination made about an individual's security threat.
PMAA has expressed similar concerns about the notification process. It also has expressed concern to Congress about new hours-of-service rules that especially impact fuel oil deliveries. PMMA says the situation forces a heating oil dealer to either hire additional drivers for a night shift or not make emergency calls, which could endanger customers.