[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73005-73006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31043]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2002-3512]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

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 February 7, 2003.

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 PL401, 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. Glenn 
Karr, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 6124, Washington, DC 20590. 
Mr. Karr's telephone number is (202) 366-4800. 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 for public 
comment on the following proposed collection of information:

[[Page 73006]]

National Driver Register Reporting and Inquiry Requirement for 23 CFR 
Part 1327

    Type of Request--Extension of Clearance.
    OMB Clearance Number--2127-0001.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard form.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--Chapter 303 of Title 49, 
U.S.C. requires 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 chapter 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 cancelled 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. It also requires the chief driver 
licensing official of each participating state to submit an inquiry to 
the NDR on all applicants for a motor vehicle operator's license, or 
for renewal of a license, before issuing a motor vehicle operator's 
license to the applicant. In addition, the Commercial Motor Vehicle 
Safety Act of 1986 requires the states to submit an inquiry to the NDR 
for each applicant for commercial driver's license. Respondents may 
submit the transactions interactively, which creates no burden for the 
respondent, or in batches which require some manual preparations.
    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 improve traffic safety by serving as a 
clearinghouse for State driver licensing officials to obtain driver 
record information about individuals applying for driver's licenses. It 
assists the driver licensing officials in making the decision about 
whether to license an individual to operate a motor vehicle. Through 
amendments to the NDR statute, the activity also serves to prevent the 
certification of airline pilots, merchant mariners, and locomotive 
operators, and individuals from being employed as motor vehicle 
operators and pilots, 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.
    Description of Likely Respondents (including estimated number and 
proposed frequency of response to the collection of information)--The 
respondents are the 51 State driver licensing agencies, including the 
District of Columbia. Typically, information systems personnel process 
the reports and inquiries that are submitted to the NDR. The frequency 
of response for reports varies from daily to monthly. The frequency of 
response for inquiries is daily.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--The agency estimates the 
annual reporting burden for this year will be 1979 hours at a cost of 
$29,225 for the 51 jurisdictions. The cost estimate is based on typical 
information systems employees' salaries and related expenses.

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

    Dated: November 19, 2002.
Raymond P. Owings,
Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 02-31043 Filed 12-6-02; 8:45 am]
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