Critics Fear Hazmat Driver Pool to Shrink
he federal government’s efforts to secure hazardous materials shipments against possible use by terrorists is raising concerns among tank truck carriers, who fear that mandatory background checks in the wake of 9/11 would compromise their already shrinking pool of drivers.
The Transportation Security Administration soon would begin conducting fingerprint-based assessments of drivers’ criminal histories when they renew or transfer the hazardous materials endorsement on their commercial driver licenses.
The fingerprinting program is scheduled to begin May 31. Drivers applying for first-time hazmat endorsements must already submit to the check.