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Aug 1, 2003 12:00 PM

THE NATIONAL Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) has filed a petition with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to postpone indefinitely the fingerprinting of truck drivers who haul hazardous materials, according to Cliff Harvison, NTTC president.

Under current rules established by the USA Patriot Act, the fingerprinting is scheduled to begin November 3, 2003.

While noting support for the concept of fingerprint-based background checks, the petition points out that all drivers, whether making an initial CDL application or applying for a CDL renewal, must begin the process with fingerprints taken “in a form and manner” proscribed by TSA.

However, TSA has not defined an acceptable “form and manner” procedure. In addition, TSA has not detailed how the fingerprint records will be transmitted from the fingerprinting entity to the state licensing agency, NTTC argues.

Another concern expressed by NTTC addresses a reminder that TSA planned to rely on the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) as a key player to implement the new regulations.

Yet, in a June 20, 2003, letter to TSA from the AAMVA president, the organization noted: “The AAMVA community has very serious concerns about the implementation time frame of the interim final rule, particularly in light of the fact that neither the technical specifications states need to make necessary modifications to the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) have not been detailed nor have many of the other critical aspects of the credentialing and background check procedures.”