New 2005 Federal Rules Requiring That Truck Drivers Be Fingerprinted And Undergo A Security Clearance Background Check

DOT Oregon, Jan 20, 2005

DMV set to implement CDL hazmat endorsement rules

Oregon’s Driver and Motor Vehicles Services Division (DMV) will be ready on January 31, 2005, to implement new federal rules requiring that truck drivers be fingerprinted and undergo a security clearance background check before receiving an original Commercial Driver License with a hazardous materials endorsement. Then on May 31 the agency will implement the same requirements for all CDL holders renewing or transferring their Hazmat endorsements. The rules affect about 3.5 million truck drivers nationwide and 24,000 drivers in Oregon.

Security clearance background checks will be conducted by Integrated Biometric Technology (IBT), a Tennessee company under contract with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Oregon is one of 34 states that will use IBT to gather the necessary information from applicants, collect fingerprints, and charge $94 for the background check. Oregon CDL holders with Hazmat endorsements will receive more specific information when IBT sets up its process for drivers here.

The rules are part of the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act) enacted by Congress in October 2001. Originally planned to start in 2003, implementation of the new rules has been delayed three times by the TSA to give states more time. Most recently the TSA put off until May 31, 2005, the requirement that states collect fingerprints and complete a background check of all drivers renewing or transferring their Hazmat endorsements. But the TSA retained its January 31 deadline for starting fingerprint checks of new applicants for authority to haul those materials.

Oregon´s DMV will send renewal reminders to drivers with a CDL and Hazmat endorsement that is due to expire in 6 months (180 days). Current licensees can renew their CDLs and endorsements up to 13 months before expiration.