[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14966-14967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7940]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-001-N01]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under new procedures established by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies 
must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, 
including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved 
collections.
    This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA 
intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket and notice numbers cited 
at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to the Docket Section, 
Room 5109, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Please 
identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is 
provided by referencing its OMB Clearance Number. It is requested, but 
not required, that 1 original plus 2 copies of the comments be 
provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Edward 
Kosek, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, NHTSA, 400 
Seventh Street, SW, Room 6123, Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Kosek's 
telephone number is (202) 366-2590. Please identify the relevant 
collection of information by referring to its OMB Clearance Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, before an agency submits a proposed collection of information 
to OMB for approval, it must publish a document in the Federal 
Register providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult 
with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each 
proposed collection of information. The OMB has promulgated 
regulations describing what must be included in such a document. 
Under OMB's regulations (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask 
for public comment on the following:

    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks public comment on 
the following proposed collection of information:

National Driver Register Reporting Requirement for 23 CFR Part 1327

    Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.

[[Page 14967]]

    OMB Clearance Number--2127-0001.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard form.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of 
approval.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--The National Driver 
Register Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-364), as amended, mandates the 
Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain a National Driver 
Register to assist chief driver licensing officials of participating 
states in exchanging information about the motor vehicle driving 
records of individuals. The Act requires the chief driver licensing 
official of each participating state to submit a report to the 
Secretary of each individual who is denied a motor vehicle operator's 
license by that State for cause; whose motor vehicle operator's license 
is revoked, suspended, or canceled by that State for cause; or who is 
convicted under the laws of that State of any of the following motor 
vehicle-related offenses or comparable offenses: (a) Operating a motor 
vehicle while under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol or a 
controlled substance; (b) a traffic violation arising in connection 
with a fatal traffic accident, reckless driving, or racing on the 
highways; (c) failing to give aid or provide identification when 
involved in an accident resulting in death or personal injury; (d) 
perjury or knowingly making a false affidavit or statement to officials 
about activities governed by a law or regulation on the operation of a 
motor vehicle. The Act also requires the chief driver licensing 
officials of participating states to check the NDR on all first time 
above-minimum age driver license applicants in their states.
    The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires the states 
to check the NDR for all applicants for Commercial Drivers Licenses.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the 
information--The purpose of the NDR, and thus this information 
collection activity, is to prevent the issuance of driver's licenses to 
problem drivers in order to enhance traffic safety. Through amendments 
to the NDR Act, the activity also serves to prevent the certification 
of airline pilots, merchant mariners, locomotive operators, and 
individuals employed as motor vehicle operators if they are problem 
drivers.
    The information will be used by NHTSA in exercising its statutory 
authority to operate the NDR. Without this information, states could 
issue licenses to individuals who are suspended or revoked in other 
states, or could issue a duplicate license to an individual who is 
licensed in another state allowing them to spread their violations over 
a number of licenses.
    Description of Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, and 
Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--The 
51 respondents are the State driver licensing agencies, including the 
District of Columbia. The frequency of response depends on how each 
state chooses to update the NDR master file. File updates can be daily 
or monthly.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--The agency estimates the 
reporting burden for this year will be $39,540 for the 51 
jurisdictions. The reporting burden is based on information systems 
personnel salaries and related expenses.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30304; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50.

    Dated: March 21, 1997.
James H. Hedlund,
Associate Administrator for Traffic Safety Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-7940 Filed 3-27-97; 8:45 am]
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