The DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking to require North American motor carriers to have a hazardous materials safety permit when transporting four types of hazardous materials in interstate or intrastate commerce.

The DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking to require North American motor carriers, including Canadian and Mexico-domiciled motor carriers in the U.S., to have a hazardous materials safety permit when transporting four types of hazardous materials in interstate or intrastate commerce.

FMCSA's safety permit proposal was prompted by the Sept. 11 attacks and now the federal government, concerned about the movement of radioactive and toxic materials and certain explosives on U.S. roads, is moving to close safety and security loopholes.

The permit requirement would be phased in starting Jan. 1, 2005.

The comment period on the proposal expires Oct. 20. See http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-20887.htm.