TSA issues fingerprint rules for hazmat drivers

TSA issues fingerprint rules for hazmat drivers    Commercial truck drivers who haul hazardous material will need to submit to fingerprinting and criminal history background checks, the Transportation Security Administration said.
   Under the new rules states are required to have fingerprinting stations for drivers who apply for a hazmat amendment to their commercial drivers license. The rules are required by the USA Patriot Act and are designed to prevent terrorists from getting a job transporting hazardous materials and turning the truck into weapon of mass destruction.
   The new rules go into effect immediately for drivers who are applying for a commercial drivers license for the first time. It will include drivers who are renewing existing licenses, effective May 31.
   After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the government ran a name-based check of all 2.7 million hazmat drivers against terrorist watch lists. The second phase of the program requires criminal background checks through the FBI and agencies responsible for immigration.
   States are required to collect the fingerprints and transmit them to the FBI via the TSA, which will notify motor carriers if a driver had been disqualified. Some states have contracted with vendors to do the fingerprint collection and transmission.
      Fees for collecting the fingerprints, conducting background checks and threat assessments will vary depending on the state, but are expected to total more than $90 per driver. The TSA has said it will take at least five years to do the checks on the entire existing pool of hazmat drivers as they renew their endorsements.