FAST card

[highway star]

A friend told me there is no more FAST card. Is this true? Mine expired this month and I received nothing from them for a renewal.

[greg334]

Never heard of this. I know they are still accepting applications.

[dieseldiva]

Travelers Reminded of New Document Requirements Beginning January 31, 2008

Release Date: December 3, 2007
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Department of State: 202-647-2492
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) remind the traveling public that as of Jan. 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. DHS will be issuing a notice in the Federal Register formally announcing the change.
This change is a necessary step to prepare travelers and ease the transition to the future requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). WHTI proposes to establish documentation requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. As recommended by the 9/11 Commission, Congress enacted WHTI in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. WHTI will result in both enhanced security and increased facilitation across the border once implemented. During this transition, DHS and the Department of State are working diligently to minimize the impact on legitimate trade and travel.
Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may accept oral declarations of citizenship from U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking entry into the United States through a land or sea border. However, as of January 31, 2008:

• Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted
• U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
• Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
• Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel

All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change.
DOS reminds the public that the current turnaround time for a passport is four to six weeks, so Americans planning international travel may wish to apply now. For information on obtaining a U.S. Passport visit www.travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778. Specific documentation requirements for land, sea and air travel may be found at U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Travel. To learn more about NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST, visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Travel.

# # #

[highway star]

Thanks for the replies. I read an article in McPaper last week with the info you posted DD. I'm on the fence about renewing as I don't do much Canada anymore and I have a passport. I just expected to get something about renewal in the mail.

[greg334]

I would because both sides of the border like to use the Fast card over the passport - there is a lot more info with the fast card records.

[highway star]

I just got off the phone with the FAST folks. And, before the usual suspect chimes in to tell me what an idiot I am for posting here before calling, yes, I'm an idiot, thank you. Anyway...

The rumor I heard is, indeed, horse hockey. The FAST card isn't going away anytime soon. You will get no notification that expiration is coming up and there is no abbreviated process for renewal. I agree Greg, it's probably a good idea to have it.

[dieseldiva]

The FAST card isn't going away anytime soon. You will get no notification that expiration is coming up and there is no abbreviated process for renewal.

So the process to "renew" will be the same lengthy one that it was the first time around??

[OntarioVanMan]

JuJu renewed hers at a border crossing. They just update there file and pay the money.

Greg..you know better then anyone a FAST card is NOT legal proof of ID...When the person in the booth askes for ID and hand them your fast card you have a 50/50 chance of getting told off....

The more ID the better these days...

You NEED the FAST card should you ever get a FAST load....

[TeamCaffee]

This is from FedEx Custom Criticals Web Site:

Proof of Citizenship Required to Cross Border Beginning Jan. 31, 2008
Anyone crossing a border into the United States will need to present proof of citizenship beginning Jan. 31, 2008. You will be able to cross when using a birth certificate, passport or FAST card. For more information, read the Department of Homeland Security’s press release on the matter.

If you do not currently have a passport, we strongly recommend you pick up one as soon as possible. You can get a passport application at many U.S. post office branches, or you can download one.

It seems as if our Fast Cards mean more to the Customs Agents then our passports did.

[dieseldiva]

JuJu renewed hers at a border crossing. They just update there file and pay the money.

Greg..you know better then anyone a FAST card is NOT legal proof of ID...When the person in the booth askes for ID and hand them your fast card you have a 50/50 chance of getting told off....

The more ID the better these days...

You NEED the FAST card should you ever get a FAST load....

Ken I'm glad to hear that the renewal is so simple. I'm not sure I understand what you're saying about the card not being legal proof of ID. It's government issued, requires a lot more info than a drivers license or birth certificate (finger printing).

Since getting our FAST cards, we've never been asked for anything else, the cards are handed to the border agent with the paperwork and that's been all it's taken.

[dieseldiva]

To further muddy the waters comes this from Landline magazine:

Proof of citizenship required after Jan. 31 at border crossings Even with a FAST card or a government-issued ID such as a CDL, truckers and other U.S. citizens will be required to present proof of citizenship when entering or re-entering the U.S. after Jan. 31.
The requirement for proof of citizenship is part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative being implemented by the Department of Homeland Security.
Proof of citizenship, as defined by the DHS, is a government-issued birth certificate for U.S.-born citizens, a naturalization certificate for naturalized citizens, or a U.S. passport.
Eventually everyone will be required to have a passport when they enter the U.S., but a date has not been set for that requirement for entry by land or sea. The government has required passports since January 2007 for all air travelers entering the U.S. from other countries, regardless of their citizenship.
In a nutshell, passports are coming. But for now, the latest requirement is proof of citizenship and a form of ID that meets the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Those approved IDs are: a driver’s license; a U.S. passport; SENTRI; NEXUS; FAST; U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document; or, active-duty military identification.
Confused?
Land Line has put together the following list of questions and answers from government sources to help U.S. truckers and their families sort out some details of these requirements.
Q. What documents will I need to enter the U.S. at a land crossing after Jan. 31, 2008?
A. You will need two things: Proof of citizenship and an approved form of ID listed above.
Q. I have a FAST card and an electronic cargo manifest. Is that good enough?
A. Not after Jan. 31. You will need proof of citizenship and a form of ID that meets the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Those approved IDs are: a driver’s license; a U.S. passport; SENTRI; NEXUS; FAST; U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document; or, active-duty military identification.
Q. What happens if I don’t have the proper ID after Jan. 31?
A. Unless the government implements a grace period for enforcement, you could be turned away from crossing the border.
Q. Why is the government requiring this?
A. Congress passed the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in 2004 to increase border security. Besides security, the government also wants to speed up processing time for trade.
Q. Will everyone need a passport to cross?
A. Eventually, but not just yet for crossings by land or sea. Sometime in the near future, Homeland Security is expected to issue a “notice of proposed rulemaking” to require a passport or passport-type card for all border traffic.
Q. What if I cross into Canada only once a year? Does this still apply?
A. Yes. It doesn’t matter how often you cross.
Q. How do I get a passport?
A. If you’ve never had a passport, you need to apply in person at one of 9,000 registered locations. Click here to find a location through the U.S. Department of State. If you are renewing a passport that is less than 10 years old, you can do it online or by mail, with a few exceptions. If your passport is too old, damaged or has been lost or stolen, you need to start over, in person, at a registered location.
Q. How much does a passport cost?
A. For adults 16 and older, it’s $97 which includes various fees. For those under 16, it’s $82.
Q. What is a “passport card?”
A. Soon, U.S. citizens will be able to obtain a wallet-sized version of a passport called a passport card. Those will start becoming available after Feb. 1, but are not mandatory. A passport card will contain a chip that carries a person’s passport information and citizenship identity.
Q. Will my spouse, team driver or any other passenger need these documents too, and what about children?
A. All adults in the vehicle will need to provide the proper ID when crossing the U.S. border. The Department of Homeland Security issued a “notice of proposed rulemaking” that outlines somewhat flexible requirements for children. It is always wise to carry identification for children, such as birth certificates, especially if you’re crossing international borders.
Q. What else does the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative require?
A.Click here to view the government site.
– By David Tanner, staff writer
david_tanner@landlinemag.com

(What's this?)

[OntarioVanMan]

Now when you go thru U.S Customs booth on the window is a sign....FAST is not to be used for ID. On your FAST card it says right on it...."Not to be used for ID purposes"

But then again anyone who crosses on a regular basis knows that this changes from booth to booth from town to town and day by day!!!

PS. Why does hazmat want a criminal check and fingerprints if you have a fast card??? Its all on file "somewhere"

[highway star]

They just update there file and pay the money.

That makes more sense than what I was told on the phone. I expected them to want to do another background check to make sure you've kept your nose clean before renewal. I'm going to Romulus tomorrow, so I guess I'll take care of it in Detroit on Friday. Thanks for the feedback.

[dieseldiva]

That makes more sense than what I was told on the phone. I expected them to want to do another background check to make sure you've kept your nose clean before renewal. I'm going to Romulus tomorrow, so I guess I'll take care of it in Detroit on Friday. Thanks for the feedback.

Hey not so fast Star!! We'll expect your full report Friday pm.

[highway star]

PS. Why does hazmat want a criminal check and fingerprints if you have a fast card??? Its all on file "somewhere"

I'm wondering the same thing. That's where I'm drawing the line. I'm not hauling hazmat and I'm not going through all that "just in case".