ATA Says TSA Delays Hazmat Background Checks

September 8, 2003 11:00 AM, EDT

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merican Trucking Associations said Saturday that the Transportation Security Administration had decided to delay indefinitely the implementation of fingerprint-based background checks for drivers who haul hazardous materials.

The original deadline was Nov. 3.

TSA notified the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators on Saturday with its decision, but did not say how long the the delay would be, according to ATA.

ATA and AAMVA had previously petitioned TSA for the delay because of the "significant logistical and systems challenges that must be met before such a program can be effectively deployed on a uniform basis nationwide," ATA said.

(Click here for ATA's full statement.)

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