[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20411-20412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7800]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5053]


Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Foreign Missions, 
Diplomatic Motor Vehicles; 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information 
Collection: Form DS-1972, U.S. Department of State Driver License and 
Tax Exemption Card Application, OMB Collection Number 1405-0105

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the following 
information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995.
     Title of Information Collection: U.S. Department of State 
Driver License and Tax Exemption Card Application.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0105.
     Type of Request: Extension of 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 Sates: 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 licenses and/or tax exemption 
cards for foreign mission personnel.)
     Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain a 
benefit.

DATES: Submit comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
up to 30 days from April 19, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct comments and questions to Katherine Astrich, the 
Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who 
may be reached at 202-395-4718. You may submit comments by any of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: Katherine--T.-- Astrich @omb.eop.gov. You must 
include the DS

[[Page 20412]]

form number, information collection title, and OMB control number in 
the subject line of your message.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Office of 
Foreign Missions, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20520.
     Fax: 202-395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may obtain copies of the proposed 
information collection and supporting documents from: 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: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary to properly perform our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our 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 the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
technology.
    Abstract of proposed collection: 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.
    Methodology: Currently, this form is submitted by foreign missions 
in paper format, and the information is then entered into an electronic 
database, maintained and utilized by the Office of Foreign Missions.

    Dated: April 1, 2005.
John R. Arndt,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, 
Office of Foreign Missions, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-7800 Filed 4-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-43-P