Inside This Issue...

In an effort to address the 12 percent of fatal crashes on highways involving trucks and buses, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is launching a new campaign concentrating on the unsafe driving practices of commercial and non-commercial drivers. The national campaign, called "Operation Safe Driver," is intended to improve commercial and non-commercial driver behavior and performance through effective enforcement, education and awareness strategies. From Oct. 21-28, a variety of commercial and non-commercial driver-focused enforcement and outreach activities will occur. CVSA plans to focus on many of the innovative approaches states are already using such as Washington State’s TACT program and the Smooth Operator program in the Mid-Atlantic region. While DOT and CVSA will be supporting this effort at the national level, we encourage law enforcement to provide support at the state, municipal and county level.

On Oct. 18 the White House announced plans to designate Paul A. Schneider to be acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security. Schneider is currently the department’s undersecretary for management. Deputy Secretary Michael P. Jackson announced his resignation effective Oct. 26, 2007. By law, Schneider can remain acting deputy secretary for 210 days — or late May 2008 — after Jackson leaves office, without being nominated by the president for Senate confirmation. Schneider has been undersecretary for management since January 2007. In that role he is responsible for all the department’s budget, appropriations, expenditure of funds, accounting, finance, procurement, human resources, information technology systems, facilities, property, equipment and identification and tracking of performance measurements.

Recent reports from the Government Accountablity Office (GAO) show that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made moderate progress in securing aviation and surface transportation networks, but more work remains. While efforts have helped strengthen the security of the transportation network, DHS and TSA still face a number of key challenges. For example, TSA has initiated efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of security-related technologies, such as biometric identification systems, but has not developed a plan for implementing new technologies to meet the security needs of individual airports. Further, while TSA has initiated efforts to develop security standards for surface transportation modes, these efforts have been limited to passenger and freight rail, and have not addressed commercial vehicles or highway infrastructure, including bridges and tunnels. GAO made a number of recommendations to DHS and TSA to strengthen their efforts to secure the transportation network. Read the full report at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08140t.pdf.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the availability of Commercial Driver’s License Program Improvement (CDLPI) grant funding as authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This act establishes a program for the improvement of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) program. The program is a discretionary grant program funded by a single source. It provides funding for improving implementation of the state’s CDL program, including expenses for computer hardware and software, publications, testing, personnel, training, and quality control. The grant period is in effect until Sept. 30, 2009. FMCSA is implementing the FY2008 CDLPI with the goal of reducing the number and severity of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crashes in the United States by ensuring commercial drivers involved in the transportation of freight and passengers are in compliance with all FMCSA regulatory requirements. Read the full report.

The government has been criticized for not demanding big sacrifices from the American people after the Sept. 11 attacks, but it has been met with resistance even when it has proposed small sacrifices, a Department of Homeland Security official said on Oct 17. Assistant Secretary for Policy Stewart A. Baker asked that Americans endure longer lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles that will accompany upcoming stricter driver’s license standards with the “same spirit” with which they have put up with longer lines for airport security. The Real ID Act requires states to comply with minimum security standards for issuing driver’s licenses or identification cards. Otherwise, the IDs from non-abiding states will cease to be accepted for boarding flights or entering federal buildings. In March, DHS issued a proposed rule that would extend the law’s deadline until Dec. 31, 2009, if requested by a state. The final rule will be issued in months. Privacy and civil liberties groups and some states have resisted the new driver’s license standards, citing concerns over identify theft and cost, with some arguing that the new requirements will not increase security.

The Transportation Security Administration is concerned a recent security breach could reveal personal information belonging to 3,930 truckers who applied for licenses to transport hazardous materials. In an Oct. 15 letter to the lawmakers, TSA said two laptop computers used to process Hazardous Materials Endorsement applications were stolen during separate incidents. Both computers belonged to a contractor, who told TSA that all sensitive information—including names, addresses, dates of birth, and commercial drivers license and Social Security Numbers—had been deleted. However, TSA conducted a forensic investigation following the second theft and determined that computer specialists using data recovery tools could still recover personal information from the computers. The contractor has agreed to provide the affected applicants with one year of credit monitoring services and insure them for $25,000 in damages and up to $2,000 in lost wages, according to the letter. TSA also adjusted its policies and now requires that contractors encrypt all hard drives that contain applicants’ personal information.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing on Oct. 18 focusing on the question of how to make a “secure” identification document. This hearing examined the different technology options such as chips, security printing, and other commercially available technologies to learn the relative levels of security that different technologies provide, as well as the costs and scalability associated with each. Programs discussed include e-passports, HSPD-12, Real ID and others. Bonnie Rutledge, director of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, testified about technology Vermont will use to produce the enhanced driver's license. Testimony is available on the House Web site.

From Oct. 13-17 more than 17,000 law enforcement professionals attended the 114th International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference in New Orleans to discuss and pass a Resolution reaffirming the membership's commitment to support legislation that will fully implement the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) and encourage participation in the system. The Resolution also encourages the membership to contact their Senators and Congressmen to urge for their support as well. The Resolution continues to recognize the value of NMVTIS in deterring criminal activities, reducing the serious economic impact of stolen vehicles, title and odometer fraud in excess of $8 billion annually and recognizes AAMVA's role in developing and maintaining the system.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) anticipates awarding up to $10 million in Motor Carrier Safety Assistant grant funding.  These funds will be awarded at FMCSA’s discretion for critical national commercial motor vehicle safety initiatives such as improving the quality of state safety data, high visibility traffic enforcement activities, public information and education, enhancements to state training, hazardous materials safety and special research efforts, and innovative efforts that have the potential for nationwide implementation. States may request funds to comply with the requirements of Section 4106 of SAFETEA-LU, which requires states to conduct comprehensive and highly visible traffic enforcement and commercial vehicle safety inspection programs in high-risk locations and corridors. Priority will be given to funding traffic enforcement activities in highway work zones. Funds will be awarded, at the discretion of FMCSA, to state agencies, local governments, and organizations representing government agencies or officials that use and train qualified officers and employees in coordination with state motor vehicle safety agencies. All applications must be submitted electronically by Jan. 5, 2008. This registration process can take up to two weeks to complete. Applicants are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

On Oct. 17 the Alabama Department of Public Safety announced that it is implementing a pilot program to schedule appointments for driver's license applicants to take their road skills test. The program is part of Public Safety’s continuing work to lessen wait times and improve customer service and convenience in driver licensing. Effective Oct. 22, the Birmingham Driver License Examining Office will begin accepting appointments for the road skills test. Appointments can be scheduled up to two weeks in advance and may be requested by phone or via e-mail. In addition to the scheduled appointments, the Birmingham office will continue to accept walk-in applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

South Dakota has successfully completed the Digital Image Access and Exchange Program (DIAEP) structured testing and migrated the DIAEP functionality into production on Oct. 18. South Dakota is now actively exchanging driver's license photos in a production environment with these other jurisdictions: Arizona, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Funding for the DIAEP is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and will be available through Nov. 2008. For information on the DIAEP, contact AAMVA's Paul Blanchard at (703) 908-5780 or pblanchard@aamva.org. Congratulations to South Dakota for a job well done!

On Oct. 16, Virginia DMV’s Arlington Customer Service Center hosted a demonstration that showcased Virginia’s functional implementation of the Digital Image Access and Exchange Program (DIAEP). With support from Arizona and AAMVA, Virginia simulated the driver's license issuance procedures for an out-of-state driver, including the request, transfer, and display of the "state of record" (remote) facial image during the identity verification step. The demonstration was very effective and well received. Attendees included members from NHTSA, FMCSA, DHS, USCIS, and AAMVA.

AAMVA is an active member of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Belt Partnership -- a coalition effort by the the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to get truck drivers to buckle up! The partnership recently teamed up with NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace to create public service announcements (PSAs) encouraging seat belt use for truckers. Watch the PSA on the FMCSA site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetybelt.

AAMVA is now accepting applications for its AAMVA/Nick Denice Memorial Fellowship Awards at the John F. Kennedy School of Government's Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University. This award is open to AAMVA members who are chief motor vehicle and law enforcement officials from the United States and Canada; AAMVA or IRP, Inc. Board of Directors members and AAMVA International Standing Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs. The application deadline is Feb. 7, 2008. For more information, see http://www.aamva.org/About/Awards/HarvardFellowship.htm

If you haven’t already done so, please respond to the following surveys:

Alabama – Race on Driver's License (Ends 10/24/207)
Nevada – 1st Time Registration Online (Ends 10/24/2007)
Oklahoma – License Plate Redesign (Ends 10/26/2007)

The 2007 AAMVA Fall Workshop is just a few weeks away. Join more than 200 of your colleagues in Glendale, Arizona, Nov. 5-8. Register today!  The meeting hotel is sold out for the night of Nov. 7. If you have not made a reservation and will be staying through or on Nov. 7, alternate hotels are available. AAMVA does not have contracted room rates with these properties, so be sure to call the hotel directly and check Internet travel sites for the best rate available. For information on alternate hotels, visit the Fall Workshop Hotel and Travel page.