House Passes Resolution to Promote Safe Operation of 15-passenger Vans 
On April 30, the House passed a resolution to promote the safe operation of 15-passenger vans (
H.Res. 964). The House recognizes the need for awareness regarding the increased risks of driving 15-passenger vans and encourages any operator of such a vehicle or person who provides transportation on such a vehicle to provide adequate training for drivers and safety information, including the necessity for wearing seat belts, to passengers.
View the bill online.
FMCSA Proposes CDL Testing & CDL Learner's Permit Standards
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), in the April 9 Federal Register, that revises commercial driver's license (CDL) knowledge and skills testing standards and requires new federal minimum standards for states to issue commercial learner's permits (CLP). The NPRM addresses many of the shortcomings of current CDL testing standards and minimum age requirements. Some of the requirements include:
- Successful completion of knowledge prior to issuance of a CLP
- All CDL applicants to have CLP for 30 days before applying for a CDL
- All CLP applicants be at least 18 years old before applying for a CLP
- Increased documentation requirements for CDL and CLP applicants to demonstrate legal presence
- Increased fraud prevention measures to be implemented by the state driver's licensing agencies
Comments must be submitted by June 9, 2008. View the Federal Register notice for more details. AAMVA will be sending a matrix to states to assist in evaluating the rule.
CDL Third Party Testing Anti-Fraud Webinar
On May 7, 2008, from 1pm to 2pm (EDT) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Office of Analysis, Research and Technology (ART) will host an online forum featuring the results of a cooperative effort between FMCSA and AAMVA that was initiated in September 2003. The purpose of the project was to develop software for state motor vehicle agencies to use to assist in preventing and detecting potential fraud by third party testers during the testing portion of the Commercial Drivers Licensing process. The webinar will describe the background, history, pilot test results, current utilization, and the next steps to be taken to meet the ultimate project goal of national deployment by 2011. Quon Kwan, ART Technology Division, and Greg Sensiba, AAMVA, will present the study results and answer participants’ questions. To register, go to
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/art-webinars-future.asp, and click on the heading "CDL Third Party Testing Anti-Fraud." Registration is also available via the FMCSA ART Web site at
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/art. This webinar is open to all interested parties, including carriers and their safety managers, FMCSA headquarters and field staff, and state partners. Register no later than 5pm (EDT) on Tuesday, May 6. Confirmation notices will be e-mailed within 24 hours of registration and will contain relevant information for participation. For technical questions on the webinar or special accommodations, contact the conference coordinator at
Kirse.Kelly@dot.gov or (202) 385-2375.
Supreme Court Upholds Voter ID Requirements
The Supreme Court ruled April 28 that states can require voters to show photo identification at the polls. In a 6-3 decision, the justices upheld an earlier decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Proponents of the Indiana law at issue in the case,
Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, said the state’s interest in preventing voter impersonation fraud outweighs whatever burden might be placed on a small number of people. Opponents argued that the Indiana law unfairly burdens poor and elderly voters who are not as likely to have driver’s licenses, passports or other photo ID cards. View the
Supreme Court Slip Opinion online.
DHS Works to Improve Air Passenger Experience
On April 28, 2008 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced improvements aimed at strengthening aviation security while streamlining procedures for travelers. Among the key improvements is providing airlines more flexibility to allow passengers with names similar to someone on a watch list to check in remotely. DHS also unveiled the Checkpoint Evolution prototype at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). Airlines will be able to create systems to verify and store date of birth information to clear up watch list misidentifications. Under this voluntary system, travelers who were previously inconvenienced on every trip can check-in online or at remote kiosks. Visit the DHS Web site for
more details.
REAL ID/WHTI Hearing Archive
A hearing was held April 29, 2008 on the impact of implementing the REAL ID Act and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The REAL ID Act established standards and criteria for documents such as driver's licenses. WHTI requires everyone traveling by air outside of the United States to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.
An archive of the hearing is available on C-SPAN.
NTSB Chairman Stresses Importance of Motorcycle Safety
As motorcyclists throughout the country observe May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness month, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Mark V. Rosenker stresses the need for motorcycle safety and reminds motorcyclists that Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218-compliant helmets reduce injuries and save lives. Since 1997, motorcycle fatalities have increased 127 percent. Annually, the number of motorcycle deaths is more than double the number of people killed in all aviation, rail, marine, and pipeline accidents combined. 4,810 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2006. Approximately 41 percent (1,957) of those killed were not wearing a helmet. DOT-compliant helmets are designed with a hard outer shell, an impact-attenuating liner, and a retention system to protect the head, especially the brain, in a variety of impact scenarios. Currently, 20 states and the District of Columbia have universal helmet laws. Twenty-seven states have partial laws, and 3 states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire) do not have any helmet law. View the
NTSB press release for more information and details on recommendations made to states and the federal government to address motorcycle safety.
Scoring of FAA Tax Title Now Available
The Joint Committee on Taxation has released its scoresheet for the tax and trust fund provisions of the Rockefeller-Baucus substitute to the aviation bill, now pending on the Senate floor.
The Joint Tax document includes the estimated revenue effects of each provision, as well as the effects that the legislation may have on the future receipts of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the Highway Trust Fund, and the general fund.
AAA Foundation Releases 2008 Traffic Safety Culture Index
American motorists blame other motorists for unsafe driving, despite the fact many admit to doing the same dangerous practices themselves, according to a new report out by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. For example, Americans rated drinking drivers as the most serious traffic safety issue, yet in the previous month alone, almost 10 percent of motorists admitted to driving when they thought their blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. Traffic crashes are the leading killer of people from ages 2 to 34, with the overall death toll on U.S. roadways consistently exceeding 40,000 every year since the early 1960s—with the sole exception of 1992. With this in mind, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety launched its first-annual survey of the driving public on a wide variety of issues. For highlights of the report visit the
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Download the
entire report.
DHS to Host Public Workshop: Privacy Compliance Fundamentals
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Privacy Office will host a public workshop, “Privacy Compliance Fundamentals—PTAs, PIAs, and SORNs” on May 23, 2008, from 9am to 4:30pm. The workshop will be held in the auditorium at the DHS Offices at the General Services Administration (GSA) Regional Headquarters Building located at 7th and D Streets, SW., Washington, DC, 20024. For further information, contact Tamara Baker, Privacy Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528; by telephone (703) 235-0780; by fax (703) 235-0442; or by e-mail at
privacyworkshop@dhs.gov. More information is also available in the
May 1, 2008 Federal Register notice.
SAFE Truckers Act of 2008
A bill titled "Screening Applied Fairly and Equitably to Truckers Act of 2008" or, "SAFE Truckers Act of 2008" (
HR 5915) was introduced in House on April 29, 2008. The SAFE Truckers Act is intended to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require motor vehicle operators transporting security sensitive material in commerce to obtain a transportation security card from the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Illinois Strengthens CDL Licensing Policy for Out-of-State CDL Holders Seeking Illinois CDLs
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has announced that effective May 1, 2008 out-of-state commercial driver's license (CDL) holders moving to Illinois must take and pass the written and road tests before they are issued an Illinois CDL. Illinois is the first state in the nation to require these tests for licensed CDL holders moving from another state. This policy change comes after Secretary White’s office worked closely with the U.S. Marshal’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s office and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to uncover testing irregularities involving the issuance of CDLs in other states. These efforts helped to uncover a pattern in certain states where drivers who spoke little to no English and had questionable driving skills nevertheless obtained a CDL from those states. Upon obtaining their CDL, these drivers could then move to another state and exchange the CDL from their former state for a CDL in their new state without having to take both the written and road tests. This policy change has received praise from law enforcement and trucking industry representatives. Approximately 2,400 drivers per year seek to exchange an out-of-state CDL for an Illinois CDL. With 19 Illinois CDL facilities operating statewide that perform the pre-trip, skill and road exams, the impact of this new policy will amount to less than one additional road exam per facility each day. Visit
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/ for more details.
National Safe Routes to School Task Force Teleconference Scheduled
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the scheduling of a teleconference by the National Safe Routes to School Task Force to the Secretary of Transportation. The purpose of the Task Force is to advise the Secretary of Transportation, through the FHWA Office of Safety, on strategies to advance Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programs nationwide and to encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school pursuant to section 1404(h) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59, Aug. 10, 2005). During this teleconference, the Task Force will discuss their draft report to the Secretary. The teleconference is scheduled from 1pm to 3pm (ET) on May 29, 2008. This teleconference will originate at the FHWA Office of Safety, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590. Room E71-124 will be available to the public to listen to this teleconference, but visitors must first report to the Department of Transportation reception desk to receive a visitor’s badge and call (202) 366-2288 for a security escort. Members of the public will not be permitted to participate in the conference call via telephone. For further information, contact Tim Arnade, the Designated Federal Official, Safe Routes to School Program Manager, FHWA Office of Safety Programs, (202) 366-2205,
Tim.Arnade@dot.gov; Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Survey: Plate Registration Stickers
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has written AAMVA requesting we encourage motor vehicle agencies to reverse the trend of eliminating the registration sticker on the back license plate. Please respond to this survey and share your thoughts with other jurisdictions and the IACP.
Low Speed Vehicle Model Law Changes Adopted
On May 2, 2008, the AAMVA Board of Directors approved proposed amendments to AAMVA's previously adopted Low Speed Vehicle Model Law. The amendments were primarily designed to bring the previous model law into compliance with changes made to the U.S. federal government's definition of Low Speed Vehicles. The new
Model Law has been posted on the AAMVA website on the
Vehicle Standing Committee page. The review of the current model law and development of the proposed amendments was conducted by a working group appointed by the AAMVA Vehicle Standing Committee. The working group was comprised of Mike Alderman (FL) Chair, Kelly Mooji (NJ), David McCallister (OH), and Chris Gill (CA), all of whom were members of the AAMVA Legal Services discipline. Cian Cashin served as the AAVMA staff liaison for the working group. Questions regarding the changes should be directed to
Keith Kiser, Vice President, AAMVA Vehicle Services.
Meeting Location Changed for National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission
In a
Federal Register notice dated March 19, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission’s eleventh meeting to be held from 8:30am to 4pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at the DOT headquarters building, located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, in Conference Room W82-302. The Commissioners have agreed to
change the location of their eleventh meeting. The meeting will now be held at the office of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), at 1666 K Street, NW, Eleventh Floor, Washington, DC 20006. The time of the meeting was not changed and will be from 8:30am to 4pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, as listed in the
Federal Register notice. For further information, contact John V. Wells, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Transportation, (202) 366-9224,
jack.wells@dot.gov.
DHS Realigns TWIC Compliance Date
On May 2nd, the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the final compliance date for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program will be April 15, 2009, which reflects a realignment of the Sept. 25, 2008 compliance date set in the final rule. The seven month extension is a direct result of collaboration with port officials and industry, and realigns the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule. Additional information can be found on the U.S. Coast Guard's Homeport site,
http://homeport.uscg.mil, and on the Transportation Security Administration's web site at
www.tsa.gov/twic.
NHTSA Publishes Final Rule on VIN Changes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently published a
Final Rule in the
Federal Register regarding changes to prevent the possibility of duplication of vehicle identification numbers (VINs). NHTSA undertook this effort in 2005 at the request of SAE when it became apparent that, if changes were not made, manufacturers would start issuing duplicated VINs as early as 2009. NHTSA formed a working group comprised of interested parties, and Keith Kiser, Vice President, Vehicle Services for AAMVA, served as a member of the working group. VINs will remain at 17 characters, and the changes will ensure that VINs will not be duplicated for at least the next 30 years. View the April 30th
Federal Register notice for more details.
New in REAL ID FAQ Database: Background Checks, Lawful Status, Storing Signatures
There are new items in the
REAL ID FAQ database regarding employee background checks, lawful status, and storing signatures.
New feature: The front page of the
REAL ID FAQ Database now provides a
list of the new questions that have been added to the database. Please direct any questions about using this database to
Janice Dluzynski.
2008 AAMVA Fall Workshop Scheduled
Make plans to join AAMVA for the 2008 Fall Workshop, Oct. 27-30, in Tampa, Florida at the Hyatt Regency Tampa. Agenda and program information will be available soon! Find out first—sign up for e-mails on Workshop Updates today!
Registration Open for the 2008 Law Institute
Registration materials are now available for the 2008 Motor Vehicle & Traffic Law Institute at
http://www.aamva.org/Events/Directory/2008LawInst/. The law institute will be held Aug. 2-6, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado.
Rooms must be reserved by Friday, July 11, 2008. We look forward to seeing you in Boulder!
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