Security Threat Assessments for Hazmat Drivers

Abstract

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gradually implementing Section 1012 of the USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56). This provision seeks to reduce some of the security risks associated with hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation by requiring a security threat assessment of drivers with a hazmat endorsement on their commercial drivers license (CDL). This process, which includes immigration and database checks, may deter a terrorist from obtaining or keeping such an endorsement; nevertheless, the hazmat transportation system remains vulnerable to attack. Members of Congress are overseeing implementation of TSA's program, reviewing its financial impacts, and deciding whether to explicitly require in law a comparable review of Canadian- and Mexican-domiciled drivers transporting specified hazmats into the United States. During 2004, TSA screened 2.7 million drivers with a hazmat endorsement by comparing their names to those on databases. These checks generated more than 100 leads that were sent to the FBI. TSA recognizes that the reliability of this process will be improved by incorporating a fingerprint-based criminal background check. For each of the next 5 years, TSA will put roughly 1/5 of the drivers with, or seeking, a hazmat endorsement through a more comprehensive threat assessment process, including a fingerprint-based records review. TSA and the states have faced many challenges in the development and implementation of this initiative. The complete program was originally planned to start in 2003, however, it has been delayed several times. Starting January 31, 2005, TSA will not permit a state to issue a new hazmat endorsement with a CDL until a determination has been made that an applicant does not pose a security threat. Starting May 31, 2005, this TSA rule also applies to drivers seeking either to renew a CDL with this endorsement, or, in some cases, to transfer his/her license from one state to another.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 25, 2005
Accession Number
ADA454035

Entities

People

  • Paul F. Rothberg

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter IED
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Congress
  • Databases
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Identification Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Law
  • Motor Vehicles
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Policy
  • Security
  • Standards
  • Surface Transportation
  • Threat Evaluation
  • Threats
  • Transportation
  • United States

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Library and Information Science