A new law is simplifying the TSA credentialing process for truckers by eliminating redundant background checks when applying for credentials like the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and Hazardous Materials Endorsements (HME).
What's happening: The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act of 2024 was signed into law on December 23 by President Biden. This change allows truckers to use existing valid background checks for multiple TSA credentials for a single fee.
- Truckers can now enroll in several security threat assessment programs through a streamlined process with a single fee.
- The law also provides a faster renewal process and coordinates with states to ensure commercial driver’s licenses display current HME status.
Backstory: Many trade groups, like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the American Trucking Associations, supported the new law.
What they're saying: ATA President & CEO Chris Spear remarked, "For far too long, the truck drivers who keep our country running have been subjected to an outdated, inefficient credentialing system that does not respect their time and money. That begins to change today."
Why it matters: This development is set to relieve essential workers in the supply chain from repetitive and costly procedures.