Haz Truckers to Face Background Checks

Truck drivers hauling flammable, combustible, radioactive or poisonous cargo as are now going to be scrutinized as closely as the hazardous materials that fill their tankers and trailers.

Part of the USA Patriot Act, roughly 3 million drivers across the nation will begin to be fingerprinted and put through FBI criminal background checks. Drivers' names will also be cross-referenced with federal databases related to terrorist activity, a practice begun last year by TSA.

Drivers who fail a criminal record search will be classified as threats and prevented from transporting hazardous materials." TSA will notify the state where a driver is licensed of its findings. Drivers could appeal the decisions.

"Some of us are against it and some of us are for it because of safety since 9/11," said trucker Michael Johnson in an article by the Associated Press. "The drivers that drive, they want to be safe," he said. "Some of them are against it because they say it's impeding their privacy."

Previously, trucking companies were responsible for performing background checks on their drivers. Teachers and other highly scrutinized professionals often undergo similar checks.

TSA and the FBI will conduct the security threat assessments as drivers renew their credentials allowing them to haul hazardous materials. Those hauling hazardous materials will be required to attach a placard to the back of their tankers or trucks. The truckers will also have to pay $94 for their re-authorization in a biometric (fingerprint) database.

Drivers who want to get a first-time hazardous material certification on their commercial driver's licenses have to be fingerprinted and take the usual computer-based test. Those up for renewal after May 31st will have to do the same.

"We'll be able to know not only who is driving and transporting hazardous materials, but we'll be able to restrict people who have certain kinds of convictions," said Sharon Harrington, chief administrator for the state Motor Vehicle Commission.

Temporary disqualifying offenses could include people convicted of some felonies or who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity in the past seven years. People released from prison in the last five years for sexual assault with intent to murder, kidnapping or hostage taking, and those with immigration violations also would be disqualified. Treason, espionage and murder convictions are among the crimes that would permanently disqualify drivers from getting Or keeping hazardous material endorsements.
Security Magazine, May 2005

Click here to return to the E-zine and/or close this window