[Federal Register: May 26, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 100)] [Notices] [Page 28548-28549] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26my98-91] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA-98-3808] Notice of Request for Renewal of a Currently Approved Information Collection: Financial Responsibility, Trucking and Freight Forwarding AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew its clearance of the currently approved information collection identified below under Supplementary Information. This information collection provides registered motor carriers, property brokers, and freight forwarders a means of meeting financial security documentation requirements. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 27, 1998. ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket number that appears in the heading of this document and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Marian Lee, Office of Motor Carrier Information Analysis, (202) 358-7051, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Financial Responsibility, Trucking and Freight Forwarding. OMB Number: 2125-0570. Background: The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to register for-hire motor carriers of regulated commodities under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 13902, surface freight forwarders under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 13903, and property brokers under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 13904. These persons may conduct transportation services only if they are registered pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 13901. The Secretary has delegated authority pertaining to these registrations to the FHWA. Registration remains valid only as long as the transportation entities maintain, on file with the FHWA, evidence of the required levels of insurance coverage pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 13906. Regulations governing financial responsibility requirements are found at 49 CFR 387. Forms BMC-91, 91x and 82 provide evidence of the required coverage for bodily injury and property damage (BI&PD) liability. Forms BMC-34 and 83 establish compliance with cargo liability requirements. Forms BMC-84 and 85 are filed by brokers to comply with the requirement for a $10,000 surety bond or trust fund agreement. Forms BMC-35, 36, and 85 cancel prior filings. Forms BMC-90 and 32 are endorsements which must be attached to BI&PD and cargo insurance policies, respectively, but are not filed with the FHWA. Motor carriers can also apply to self-insure BI&PD and/or cargo liability in lieu of filing certificates of insurance or surety bonds with the FHWA. Form BMC-40 is the application used to apply for self- insurance authority. Respondents: Motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers. Estimated Average Burden per Response: The estimated average burden per response for the BMC-40 is 40 hours. The estimated average burden per response for each of the other forms is 10 minutes per form. Estimated Total Annual Burden: The estimated total annual burden is 200 hours for the BMC-40 based on 5 filings per year. The estimated total annual burden for all of the other forms is 30,000 hours based on 180,000 filings per year. Frequency: Certificates of insurance, surety bonds and trust fund agreements are required when the transportation entity first registers with the FHWA and then when such coverages are replaced. Notices of cancellation are required only when such certificates of insurance, surety bonds or trust fund agreements are canceled. Form BMC-40 is generally [[Page 28549]] filed only once when a carrier seeks approval to self-insure its BI&PD and/or cargo liability. Public Comments Invited Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including but not limited to: (1) the necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FHWA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's clearance for a renewal of this information collection. Electronic Availability An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the Federal Register electronic bulletin board service (telephone number: 202-512-1661). Internet users may reach the Federal Register's WWW site at: http:// www.access.gpo.gov/su__ docs. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315 and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: May 13, 1998. George S. Moore, Jr., Associate Administrator for Administration. [FR Doc. 98-13906 Filed 5-22-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P