49 USC Ch. 303: NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER
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49 USC Ch. 303: NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER
From Title 49—TRANSPORTATIONSUBTITLE VI—MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMSPART A—GENERAL

CHAPTER 303—NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER

Sec.
30301.
Definitions.
30302.
National Driver Register.
30303.
State participation.
30304.
Reports by chief driver licensing officials.
30305.
Access to Register information.
30306.
National Driver Register Advisory Committee.
30307.
Criminal penalties.
30308.
Authorization of appropriations.

        

Chapter Referred to in Other Sections

This chapter is referred to in section 31311 of this title.

§30301. Definitions

In this chapter—

(1) "alcohol" has the same meaning given that term in regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation.

(2) "chief driver licensing official" means the official in a State who is authorized to—

(A) maintain a record about a motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State; and

(B) issue, deny, revoke, suspend, or cancel a motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State.


(3) "controlled substance" has the same meaning given that term in section 102 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 802).

(4) "motor vehicle" means a vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used on public streets, roads, or highways, but does not include a vehicle operated only on a rail line.

(5) "motor vehicle operator's license" means a license issued by a State authorizing an individual to operate a motor vehicle on public streets, roads, or highways.

(6) "participating State" means a State that has notified the Secretary under section 30303 of this title of its participation in the National Driver Register.

(7) "State" means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

(8) "State of record" means a State that has given the Secretary a report under section 30304 of this title about an individual who is the subject of a request for information made under section 30305 of this title.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 973.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30301 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §202, 96 Stat. 1740.

In clauses (4) and (5), the words "public streets, roads, or highways" are substituted for "highway" and " 'highway' means any road or street" for consistency in the revised title.

In clause (4), the words "rail line" are substituted for "rail or rails" for consistency in the revised title.

The definitions of "Secretary", "Register", and "Register system" are omitted as surplus because the complete name of the Secretary of Transportation and the National Driver Register are used the first time the terms appear in a section.

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§30302. National Driver Register

(a) Establishment and Contents.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish as soon as practicable 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 Register shall contain an index of the information reported to the Secretary under section 30304 of this title. The Register shall enable the Secretary (electronically or, until all States can participate electronically, by United States mail)—

(1) to receive information submitted under section 30304 of this title by the chief driver licensing official of a State of record;

(2) to receive a request for information made by the chief driver licensing official of a participating State under section 30305 of this title;

(3) to refer the request to the chief driver licensing official of a State of record; and

(4) in response to the request, to relay information provided by a chief driver licensing official of a State of record to the chief driver licensing official of a participating State, without interception of the information.


(b) Accuracy of Information.—The Secretary is not responsible for the accuracy of information relayed to the chief driver licensing official of a participating State. However, the Secretary shall maintain the Register in a way that ensures against inadvertent alteration of information during a relay.

(c) Transition From Prior Register.—(1) The Secretary shall provide by regulation for the orderly transition from the register maintained under the Act of July 14, 1960 (Public Law 86–660, 74 Stat. 526), as restated by section 401 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (Public Law 89–563, 80 Stat. 730), to the Register maintained under this chapter.

(2)(A) The Secretary shall delete from the Register a report or information that was compiled under the Act of July 14, 1960 (Public Law 86–660, 74 Stat. 526), as restated by section 401 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (Public Law 89–563, 80 Stat. 730), and transferred to the Register, after the earlier of—

(i) the date the State of record removes it from the State's file;

(ii) 7 years after the date the report or information is entered in the Register; or

(iii) the date a fully electronic Register system is established.


(B) The report or information shall be disposed of under chapter 33 of title 44.

(3) If the chief driver licensing official of a participating State finds that information provided for inclusion in the Register is erroneous or is related to a conviction of a traffic offense that subsequently is reversed, the official immediately shall notify the Secretary. The Secretary shall provide for the immediate deletion of the information from the Register.

(d) Assignment of Personnel.—In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall assign personnel necessary to ensure the effective operation of the Register.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 973.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30302 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §203, 96 Stat. 1741.

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "after the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 25, 1982]" are omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (c)(1), the words "The Secretary shall provide by regulation" are substituted for "The Secretary shall, within eighteen months after the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 25, 1982], promulgate a final rule which provides" to eliminate executed language, for consistency in the revised title, and because "rule" and "regulation" are synonymous.

The text of section 203(e) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–364, 96 Stat. 1742) is omitted as unnecessary because of 49:322(a).

References in Text

Act of July 14, 1960, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (2)(A), is set out below.

Register of Revocations of Motor Vehicle Operator's Licenses

Pub. L. 86–660, July 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 526, as amended by Pub. L. 87–359, Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 779; Pub. L. 89–563, title IV, §401, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 730, provided: "That the Secretary of Commerce shall establish and maintain a register identifying each individual reported to him by a State, or political subdivision thereof, as an individual with respect to whom such State or political subdivision has denied, terminated, or temporarily withdrawn (except a withdrawal for less than six months based on a series of nonmoving violations) an individual's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle.

"Sec. 2. Only at the request of a State, a political subdivision thereof, or a Federal department or agency, shall the Secretary furnish information contained in the register established under the first section of this Act, and such information shall be furnished only to the requesting party and only with respect to an individual applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license or permit.

"Sec. 3. As used in this Act, the term 'State' includes each of the several States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, and American Samoa."

§30303. State participation

(a) Notification.—A State may become a participating State under this chapter by notifying the Secretary of Transportation of its intention to be bound by section 30304 of this title.

(b) Withdrawal.—A participating State may end its status as a participating State by notifying the Secretary of its withdrawal from participation in the National Driver Register.

(c) Form and Way of Notification.—Notification by a State under this section shall be made in the form and way the Secretary prescribes by regulation.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 974.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30303 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §204, 96 Stat. 1742.

In subsection (c), the words "in the form and way" are substituted for "in such form, and according to such procedures" to eliminate unnecessary words.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 30301 of this title.

§30304. Reports by chief driver licensing officials

(a) Individuals Covered.—As soon as practicable, the chief driver licensing official of each participating State shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation a report containing the information specified by subsection (b) of this section for each individual—

(1) who is denied a motor vehicle operator's license by that State for cause;

(2) whose motor vehicle operator's license is revoked, suspended, or canceled by that State for cause; or

(3) 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.


(b) Contents.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a report under subsection (a) of this section shall contain—

(A) the individual's legal name, date of birth, sex, and, at the Secretary's discretion, height, weight, and eye and hair color;

(B) the name of the State providing the information; and

(C) the social security account number if used by the State for driver record or motor vehicle license purposes, and the motor vehicle operator's license number if different from the social security account number.


(2) A report under subsection (a) of this section about an event that occurs during the 2-year period before the State becomes a participating State is sufficient if the report contains all of the information that is available to the chief driver licensing official when the State becomes a participating State.

(c) Time for Filing.—If a report under subsection (a) of this section is about an event that occurs—

(1) during the 2-year period before the State becomes a participating State, the report shall be submitted not later than 6 months after the State becomes a participating State; or

(2) after the State becomes a participating State, the report shall be submitted not later than 31 days after the motor vehicle department of the State receives any information specified in subsection (b)(1) of this section that is the subject of the report.


(d) Events Occurring Before Participation.—This section does not require a State to report information about an event that occurs before the 2-year period before the State becomes a participating State.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 975.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30304 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §205, 96 Stat. 1742.

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "after the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 25, 1982]" are omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (b)(1)(A), the words "(including day, month, and year)" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(2), the words "A report under subsection (a) of this section" are substituted for "any report concerning an occurrence specified in subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (c), before clause (1), the words "required to be transmitted by a chief driver licensing official of a State" are omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the words "specified in subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section" are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the words "the motor vehicle department of the State receives any information specified in subsection (b)(1) of this section that is the subject of the report" are substituted for "receipt by a State motor vehicle department of any information specified in subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) of this section which is the subject of such report" because of the restatement.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 20135, 30301, 30302, 30303, 30305, 30307, 31311 of this title.

§30305. Access to Register information

(a) Referrals of Information Requests.—(1) To carry out duties related to driver licensing, driver improvement, or transportation safety, the chief driver licensing official of a participating State may request the Secretary of Transportation to refer, electronically or by United States mail, a request for information about the motor vehicle driving record of an individual to the chief driver licensing official of a State of record.

(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall relay, electronically or by United States mail, information received from the chief driver licensing official of a State of record in response to a request under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the chief driver licensing official of the participating State requesting the information. However, the Secretary may refuse to relay information to the chief driver licensing official of a participating State that does not comply with section 30304 of this title.

(b) Requests To Obtain Information.—(1) The Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration may request the chief driver licensing official of a State to obtain information under subsection (a) of this section about an individual who is the subject of an accident investigation conducted by the Board or the Administrator. The Chairman and the Administrator may receive the information.

(2) An individual who is employed, or is seeking employment, as a driver of a motor vehicle may request the chief driver licensing official of the State in which the individual is employed or seeks employment to provide information about the individual under subsection (a) of this section to the individual's employer or prospective employer. An employer or prospective employer may receive the information and shall make the information available to the individual. Information may not be obtained from the National Driver Register under this paragraph if the information was entered in the Register more than 3 years before the request.

(3) An individual who has received, or is applying for, an airman's certificate may request the chief driver licensing official of a State to provide information about the individual under subsection (a) of this section to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. The Administrator may receive the information and shall make the information available to the individual for review and written comment. The Administrator may use the information to verify information required to be reported to the Administrator by an airman applying for an airman medical certificate and to evaluate whether the airman meets the minimum standards prescribed by the Administrator to be issued an airman medical certificate. The Administrator may not otherwise divulge or use the information. Information may not be obtained from the Register under this paragraph if the information was entered in the Register more than 3 years before the request, unless the information is about a revocation or suspension still in effect on the date of the request.

(4) An individual who is employed, or is seeking employment, by a rail carrier as an operator of a locomotive may request the chief driver licensing official of a State to provide information about the individual under subsection (a) of this section to the individual's employer or prospective employer or to the Secretary of Transportation. Information may not be obtained from the Register under this paragraph if the information was entered in the Register more than 3 years before the request, unless the information is about a revocation or suspension still in effect on the date of the request.

(5) An individual who holds, or is applying for, a license or certificate of registry under section 7101 of title 46, or a merchant mariner's document under section 7302 of title 46, may request the chief driver licensing official of a State to provide information about the individual under subsection (a) of this section to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. The Secretary may receive the information and shall make the information available to the individual for review and written comment before denying, suspending, or revoking the license, certificate, or document of the individual based on the information and before using the information in an action taken under chapter 77 of title 46. The Secretary may not otherwise divulge or use the information, except for purposes of section 7101, 7302, or 7703 of title 46. Information may not be obtained from the Register under this paragraph if the information was entered in the Register more than 3 years before the request, unless the information is about a revocation or suspension still in effect on the date of the request.

(6) An individual may request the chief driver licensing official of a State to obtain information about the individual under subsection (a) of this section—

(A) to learn whether information about the individual is being provided;

(B) to verify the accuracy of the information; or

(C) to obtain a certified copy of the information.


(7) A request under this subsection shall be made in the form and way the Secretary of Transportation prescribes by regulation.

(c) Relationship to Other Laws.—A request for, or receipt of, information from the Register is subject to sections 552 and 552a of title 5, and other applicable laws of the United States or a State, except that—

(1) the Secretary of Transportation may not relay or otherwise provide information specified in section 30304(b)(1)(A) or (C) of this title to a person not authorized by this section to receive the information;

(2) a request for, or receipt of, information by a chief driver licensing official, or by a person authorized by subsection (b) of this section to request and receive the information, is deemed to be a routine use under section 552a(b) of title 5; and

(3) receipt of information by a person authorized by this section to receive the information is deemed to be a disclosure under section 552a(c) of title 5, except that the Secretary of Transportation is not required to retain the accounting made under section 552a(c)(1) for more than 7 years after the disclosure.


(d) Availability of Information Provided Under Prior Law.—Information provided by a State under the Act of July 14, 1960 (Public Law 86–660, 74 Stat. 526), as restated by section 401 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (Public Law 89–563, 80 Stat. 730), and under this chapter, shall be available under this section during the transition from the register maintained under that Act to the Register maintained under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 976.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30305 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §206, 96 Stat. 1743; Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, §305, 101 Stat. 1525; June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, §4(b), 102 Stat. 626; Aug. 18, 1990, Pub. L. 101–380, §4105(a), 104 Stat. 512.

In subsection (a)(1), the words "on and after the date of enactment of this title [Oct. 25, 1982]" are omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (b)(1), the word "Administrator" is substituted for "Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety" for consistency.

Subsection (d) is substituted for the last 2 sentences (added twice by mistake) in paragraphs (1) and (2) and for the last sentence in paragraphs (3), (4), and (7)(C) of section 206(b) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–364, 96 Stat. 1744) for clarity and to avoid repeating the provision unnecessarily.

References in Text

Act of July 14, 1960, referred to in subsec. (d), is set out as a note under section 30302 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 20135, 30301, 30302, 30307 of this title.

§30306. National Driver Register Advisory Committee

(a) Organization.—There is a National Driver Register Advisory Committee.

(b) Duties.—The Committee shall advise the Secretary of Transportation on—

(1) the efficiency of the maintenance and operation of the National Driver Register; and

(2) the effectiveness of the Register in assisting States in exchanging information about motor vehicle driving records.


(c) Composition and Appointment.—The Committee is composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary as follows:

(1) 3 members appointed from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve on the Committee because of their education, training, or experience, and who are not officers or employees of the United States Government or a State.

(2) 3 members appointed from among groups outside the Government that represent the interests of bus and trucking organizations, enforcement officials, labor, or safety organizations.

(3) 9 members, geographically representative of the participating States, appointed from among individuals who are chief driver licensing officials of participating States.


(d) Terms.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term of each member is 3 years.

(2) A vacancy on the Committee shall be filled in the same way as an original appointment. A member appointed to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the term of that member's predecessor. After a member's term ends, the member may continue to serve until a successor takes office.

(e) Pay and Expenses.—Members of the Committee serve without pay. However, the Secretary may reimburse a member for reasonable travel expenses incurred by the member in attending meetings of the Committee.

(f) Meetings, Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Quorum.—(1) The Committee shall meet at least once a year.

(2) The Committee shall elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman from among its members.

(3) Eight members are a quorum.

(4) The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman or a majority of the members.

(g) Personnel and Services.—The Secretary may provide the Committee with personnel, penalty mail privileges, and similar services the Secretary considers necessary to assist the Committee in carrying out its duties and powers under this section.

(h) Reports.—At least once a year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the matters specified in subsection (b) of this section. The report shall include any recommendations of the Committee for changes in the Register.

(i) Relationship to Other Laws.—The Committee is exempt from sections 10(e) and (f) and 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.).

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 978.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30306 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §209, 96 Stat. 1746.

In subsection (a), the word "hereby" is omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c), the text of section 209(c)(2) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–364, 96 Stat. 1746) is omitted as executed.

In subsection (g), the words "The Secretary may provide the Committee" are substituted for "The Advisory Committee may receive from the Secretary" for clarity.

In subsection (h), the cross-reference is used to avoid repeating the same language twice in this section.

References in Text

Sections 10 and 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (i), are sections 10 and 14 of Pub. L. 92–463, which are set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§30307. Criminal penalties

(a) General Penalty.—A person (except an individual described in section 30305(b)(6) of this title) shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, if—

(1) the person receives under section 30305 of this title information specified in section 30304(b)(1)(A) or (C) of this title;

(2) disclosure of the information is not authorized by section 30305 of this title; and

(3) the person willfully discloses the information knowing that disclosure is not authorized.


(b) Information Penalty.—A person knowingly and willfully requesting, or under false pretenses obtaining, information specified in section 30304(b)(1)(A) or (C) of this title from a person receiving the information under section 30305 of this title shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 979.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30307 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §208, 96 Stat. 1746; Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, §305(b)(1), 101 Stat. 1526.

In this section, the words "fined under title 18" are substituted for "fined not more than $10,000" for consistency with title 18.

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the reference to "section 30305(b)(6) of this title" is used to carry out the probable intent of Congress. Section 305(b)(1) of the Airport and Airway Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1987 (Public Law 100–223, 101 Stat. 1526) amended section 206(b) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–364, 96 Stat. 1744) by "redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4), and any reference thereto, as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively". Because the reference to "section 206(b)(4)" in section 208 of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 appears to have been incorrect before that amendment, and would continue to be incorrect if the reference is redesignated as required by the amendment, a reference to section 30305(b)(6) is used in this section to carry out the probable intent of Congress.

§30308. Authorization of appropriations

(a) General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall make available from amounts made available to carry out section 402 of title 23 $4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1993, and September 30, 1994 1 and $2,550,000 for fiscal year 1995, to carry out this chapter.

(b) Availability of Amounts.—Amounts authorized under this section remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 979; Pub. L. 103–331, title III, §343, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2496; Pub. L. 103–429, §6(25), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4380.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Pub. L. 103–272
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
30308 23:401 (note). Oct. 25, 1982, Pub. L. 97–364, §211, 96 Stat. 1747; Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, §2007, 105 Stat. 2080.

In subsection (a), the text of section 211(a) of the National Driver Register Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–364, 96 Stat. 1747) is omitted as executed. The words "and the provisions of Public Law 86–660 (74 Stat. 526)" and references to fiscal years 1983–1987 and 1992 are omitted as obsolete. The word "section" in the source provision is translated as if it were "title" to reflect the apparent intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 103–429

This amends 49:30308(b) to correct an error in the codification enacted by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 979).

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–331 inserted "and $2,550,000 for fiscal year 1995" after "1994".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted "authorized" for "appropriated".

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–429 effective July 5, 1994, see section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.