For Immediate Release
Date: September 23, 2005
Contact: Maura Browning
Phone: (573) 751-8222
Federal Law Requires Department to Check Driving Records of All Drivers
JEFFERSON CITY – A federal law will soon require the Missouri Department of Revenue to make changes in administering licensing for all driver license holders, including school bus drivers and commercial motor vehicle drivers. The law, called the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA), becomes effective September 30, 2005, and could have implications for some Missouri drivers.
Prior to issuing a new, renewed, or duplicate license or permit, the federal law requires the department to check the National Driver Register (NDR) and the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) to obtain information on a driver’s status in other states. Should any open actions appear on the applicant’s driver record, the department cannot issue a new, renewed, or duplicate license or permit.
Additionally, prior to issuing a new or renewed Commercial Driver License (CDL), the department is required to obtain driver record information from any other state that has issued a driver license to the CDL applicant within the last 10 years. All traffic convictions received in Missouri and all other states affect the CDL applicant’s driving privilege. Federal law now requires Missouri to disqualify the CDL privilege if the previous licensing state failed to do so if required.
“The federal law is requiring every state to place a premium on safety,” department director Trish Vincent said. “When the National Driver Register became available, Missouri was one of the first states to employ its resources and Missouri continues to lead the way in implementing MCSIA. I am proud that we are making safety a top priority.”
More information on the changes required by the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act is available on the department’s website at www.dor.mo.gov. Information about the National Driver Register is available at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/perform/driver/.
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