[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 69663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26410]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4910]


Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Foreign Missions, 
Diplomatic Motor Vehicles; 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information 
Collection: U.S. Department of State Driver's License and Tax Exemption 
Card Application; OMB Collection Number 1405-0105; Form DS-1972

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. This process is 
conducted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The 
Department of State has made minor changes to the wording of the form, 
but the data collected is unchanged.
    The following summarizes the information collection proposal to be 
submitted to OMB:
     Title of Information Collection: U.S. Department of State 
Driver's License and Tax Exemption Card Application.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0105.
     Type of Request: Regular Submission to extend a currently 
approved collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office 
of Foreign Missions (DS/OFM).
     Form Number: DS-1972.
     Respondents: Foreign missions that have personnel assigned 
to the United States: diplomatic, consular, administrative and 
technical, specified official representatives of foreign governments to 
international organizations, and their dependents.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 350 foreign missions.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 14,000.
     Average Hours Per Response: 0.5 hours (30 minutes).
     Total Estimated Burden: 7,000 hours.
     Frequency: On occasion. (As often as is necessary for 
foreign missions to obtain/renew driver's licenses and/or tax exemption 
cards for foreign mission personnel.)
     Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a 
driver's license and/or tax exemption card.
    The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 days 
from date of publication in the Federal Register. You may submit 
comments by either of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and OMB control number in 
the subject line of your message.
     Mail: U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign 
Missions, Attn: Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Director, 3507 International 
Place, NW., State Annex 33, Washington, DC 20522-3302

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
regarding the collection listed in this notice should be directed to 
Attn: Jacqueline Robinson, Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Director, Office of 
Foreign Missions, 3507 International Place, NW., State Annex 33, 
Washington, DC 20522-3302, who may be reached on (202) 895-3528 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Your public comments are being solicited to 
permit the agency to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency.
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of technology.
    The U.S. Department of State Driver License and Tax Exemption Card 
Application form (DS 1972) is the means by which foreign missions in 
the United States request the issuance of a driver license and/or a 
sales tax exemption card for foreign mission personnel and their 
dependents. The exemption from sales taxes and the operation of a motor 
vehicle in the United States by foreign mission personnel are benefits 
under the Foreign Missions Act, 22 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., which must be 
obtained by foreign missions through the U.S. Department of State, 
Office of Foreign Missions (DS/OFM). The DS-1972 application form 
provides OFM with the necessary information required to administer the 
two benefits effectively and efficiently. Sales tax exemption is 
enjoyed under the provisions of international law but is granted on the 
basis of reciprocity. The administration of driver licenses at the 
national level helps the Federal Government identify operators who 
repeatedly receive citations. This also helps the Federal Government 
determine the necessary course of action that may be required against 
an individual's driving privilege. Accordingly, the Federal Government 
is able to provide consistency to the diplomatic community on a 
national level through a uniform program.

    Dated: October 15, 2004.
Lynwood M. Dent,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of 
Foreign Missions, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-26410 Filed 11-29-04; 8:45 am]
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