[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15662-15665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7913]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2002-11714]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption from the vision standard; 
request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces FMCSA's receipt of applications from 30 
individuals for an exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions will 
enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor 
vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the vision 
standard prescribed in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 2, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You can mail or deliver comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You can also submit comments as 
well as see the submissions of other commenters at http://dms.dot.gov. 
Please include the docket numbers that appear in the heading of this 
document. You can examine and copy this document and all comments 
received at the same Internet address or at the Dockets Management 
Facility from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. If you want to know that we received your comments, 
please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard or include a copy of 
the acknowledgement page that appears after you submit comments 
electronically.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the vision 
exemptions in this notice, Ms. Sandra Zywokarte, Office of Bus and 
Truck Standards and Operations, (202) 366-2987; for information about 
legal issues related to this notice, Mr. Joseph Solomey, Office of the 
Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1374, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, S.W., 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:

Electronic Access and Filing

    You may see all the comments online through the Document Management 
System (DMS) at: http://dmses.dot.gov/submit.

Background

    Thirty individuals have requested an exemption from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers of CMVs 
in interstate commerce. Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), FMCSA may 
grant an exemption for a 2-year period if it finds ``such exemption 
would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or 
greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.'' 
The statute also allows the agency to renew exemptions at the end of 
the 2-year period. Accordingly, the agency will evaluate the 
qualifications of each applicant to determine whether granting the 
exemptions will achieve the required level of safety.

Qualifications of Applicants

1. Ronald M. Aure

    Mr. Aure, age 57, has amblyopia of the left eye. His visual acuity 
is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left. Following an 
examination in 2001, his optometrist certified, ``After extensive 
testing, it is my medical opinion that Ronald Aure has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' In his application, Mr. Aure indicated he has driven 
straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating 50,000 miles, and tractor-
trailer combinations for 37 years, accumulating 4.6 million miles. He 
holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) from Iowa, and his 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

2. Steven S. Bennett

    Mr. Bennett, 46, has amblyopia of the right eye. His visual acuity 
is 20/200 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. An optometrist 
examined him in 2001 and stated, ``Based on my findings, and not 
withstanding other factors, Mr. Bennett should have sufficient visual 
acuity and peripheral vision to operate a commercial motor vehicle.'' 
In his application, Mr. Bennett indicated he has driven straight trucks 
for 5 years, accumulating 250,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 13 years,

[[Page 15663]]

accumulating 650,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from California, and 
his driving record shows no accidents or convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

3. Joe W. Brewer

    Mr. Brewer, 53, has a prosthetic right eye due to an injury in 
1969. His corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in the left eye. An 
optometrist examined him in 2001 and stated, ``Joe Brewer in my opinion 
has sufficient vision to drive a commercial vehicle.'' According to Mr. 
Brewer's application, he has driven straight trucks for 23 years, 
accumulating 2.3 million miles. He holds a Class D driver's license 
from South Carolina, and in the last 3 years he has had no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV, according to his driving 
record.

4. Trixie L. Brown

    Ms. Brown, 47, has amblyopia in her left eye. Her best-corrected 
vision is 20/25 in the right eye and 20/50 in the left. Following an 
examination in 2001, her optometrist certified, ``It is true Mrs. Brown 
does not have normal acuity, but she is well adapted to this condition. 
With her proper prescription in place she functions quite well. I think 
that as long as her record is good she can continue in her current 
position as a commercial vehicle operator.'' Ms. Brown submitted that 
she has operated buses for 7 years, accumulating 105,000 miles. She 
holds a Class B CDL from Indiana, and she has had no accidents or 
convictions for traffic violations for the last 3 years, according to 
her driving record.

5. James D. Coates

    Mr. Coates, 60, underwent cataract surgery on his right eye in 
1994. His vision is 20/80 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. His 
optometrist examined him in 2001 and certified, ``In my medical 
opinion, Mr. Coates has 20/20 overall visual acuity uncorrected, and 
has sufficient visual acuity to perform the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle.'' In his application, Mr. Coates 
indicated he has driven straight trucks for 8 months, accumulating 
24,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 31 years, 
accumulating 3.1 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Arizona, 
and his driving record for the past 3 years shows no accidents or 
convictions for traffic violations in a CMV.

6. Michael D. DeBerry

    Mr. DeBerry, 45, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
vision is 20/25 in the right eye and 20/80 in the left. Following an 
examination in 2001, his optometrist certified, ``In my opinion, Mr. 
DeBerry has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. DeBerry reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 6 years, accumulating 90,000 miles, and tractor-
trailer combinations for 18 years, accumulating 2.1 million miles. He 
holds a Class A CDL from West Virginia, and his driving record shows no 
accidents or convictions for traffic violations in a CMV for the last 3 
years.

7. James W. Ellis, IV

    Mr. Ellis, 39, has been blind in the right eye since 1978 due to 
trauma. His visual acuity in the left eye is 20/20. Following an 
examination in 2001, his ophthalmologist affirmed, ``Yes, the patient 
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Ellis holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey, 
and reported that he has driven straight trucks for 2 years, 
accumulating 200,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 18 
years, accumulating 1.8 million miles. His driving record shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV for the past 3 
years.

8. John E. Engstad

    Mr. Engstad, 57, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity is 20/15-2 in the right eye and 20/70+1 in the left. An 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2001 and certified, ``In my medical 
opinion, you have sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Engstad stated he has 
driven straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating 400,000 miles, and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 10 years, accumulating 1.3 million 
miles. He holds a Wisconsin Class ABCD CDL, and his driving record for 
the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV.

9. Jose D. Espino

    Mr. Espino, 40, lost his left eye due to trauma in 1980. His 
uncorrected visual acuity is 20/20 in the right eye. His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2001 and certified, ``I believe that 
Mr. Espino has adequate vision and peripheral visual field to operate 
commercial vehicles as he has in the past.'' In his application, Mr. 
Espino reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 20 
years, accumulating 1.8 million miles. He holds a Florida Class A CDL. 
There are no accidents and one conviction for a moving violation--
Speeding--in a CMV on his driving record for the last 3 years. He 
exceeded the speed limit by 9 mph.

10. Dan M. Francis

    Mr. Francis, 43, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity is 20/200 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. An 
optometrist who examined him in 2001 certified, ``It is our judgment 
that Mr. Francis' vision is good enough to operate a commercial vehicle 
with no restrictions day or night.'' Mr. Francis submitted that he has 
operated tractor-trailer combinations for 23 years, accumulating 2.3 
million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from California. His driving 
record shows he has had no accidents and two convictions for traffic 
violations in a CMV for the last 3 years. Both convictions were for 
Failure to Obey Traffic Sign.

11. David W. Grooms

    Mr. Grooms, 46, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity is 20/40-2 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. 
Following an examination in 2001, his ophthalmologist certified, ``It 
is my medical opinion that Mr. Grooms has sufficient vision to perform 
commercial vehicle driving tasks.'' Mr. Grooms reported he has operated 
tractor-trailer combinations for 16 years, accumulating 960,000 miles. 
He holds a Class A CDL from Indiana. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no accidents and one conviction for a moving violation--
Speeding--in a CMV. He exceeded the speed limit by 11 mph.

12. Joe H. Hanniford

    Mr. Hanniford, 57, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-
corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/200 in the 
left. Following an examination in 2001, his optometrist commented, ``As 
stated before in my letter, I feel Mr. Hanniford's vision is stable and 
is sufficient to drive a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Hanniford submitted 
that he has driven straight trucks for 24 years, accumulating 480,000 
miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 15 years, accumulating 
124,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from South Carolina. His driving 
record shows he has had no accidents and one conviction for a moving 
violation--Speeding--in a CMV during the last 3 years. He exceeded the 
speed limit by 9 mph.

13. David A. Inman

    Mr. Inman, 45, is blind in his left eye due to an injury 13 years 
ago. His visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 without correction. An 
optometrist examined

[[Page 15664]]

him in 2001 and certified, ``It is my opinion that he has performed his 
driving skills now for many years without incident. He has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate any commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Inman reported he has 8 years' and 320,000 miles' 
experience driving straight trucks. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Indiana, and his driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents 
or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

14. Harry L. Jones

    Mr. Jones, 47, has nerve damage in his right eye due to a viral 
infection in childhood. His best-corrected visual acuities are 20/200 
in the right eye and 20/25 in the left. His optometrist examined him in 
2001 and certified, ``In my opinion Mr. Jones has sufficient visual 
function to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Jones submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 6 
years, accumulating 288,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 
25 years, accumulating 2.5 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Ohio. There are no CMV accidents and two convictions for moving 
violations--Speeding--on his record for the last 3 years. He exceeded 
the speed limit by 13 mph in one instance and 9 mph in the other.

15. Teddie W. King

    Mr. King, 46, has amblyopia in his right eye. His corrected visual 
acuity is 20/60-in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. Following an 
examination in 2001, his optometrist stated, ``In my opinion, he has 
sufficient vision to continue his operation of a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. King reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 
20 years, accumulating 1.6 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
North Carolina, and his driving record shows he has had no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV over the last 3 years.

16. Richard B. Leonard

    Mr. Leonard, 32, has amblyopia in his right eye. His vision is 20/
200 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. An optometrist examined him 
in 2002 and certified, ``In my opinion, this is a stable condition, and 
due to past performance Mr. Leonard has proven his ability to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. 
Leonard reported that he has operated tractor-trailer combinations for 
6 years, accumulating 450,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from the 
State of Washington. His driving record for the last 3 years shows he 
has had no accidents and one conviction for a moving violation--
Speeding--in a CMV. He exceeded the speed limit by 16 mph.

17. Robert P. Martinez

    Mr. Martinez, 54, has nerve damage to his right eye due to removal 
of a pituitary adenoma in 1991. His best-corrected vision is 20/60-in 
the right eye and 20/20 in the left. An ophthalmologist examined him in 
2001 and stated, ``It is my opinion that Mr. Martinez has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Martinez, who holds a Class C driver's license from 
California, reported that he has been driving straight trucks for 35 
years, accumulating 700,000 miles. His driving record shows he has had 
no accidents and one conviction for a traffic violation--Traveling in 
the Car Pool Lane--in a CMV during the last 3 years.

18. Michael L. McNeish

    Mr. McNeish, 32, has amblyopia in his left eye. His visual acuity 
in the right eye is 20/20 and in the left 20/200. An optometrist 
examined him in 2001 and certified, ``With Michael's only deficiency 
being central vision loss in the left eye and a full field of view in 
that eye, I feel he should have no difficulty in performing the driving 
tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' In his application, 
Mr. McNeish stated he has 6 years' and 90,000 miles' experience 
operating tractor-trailer combinations. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Pennsylvania, and there are no accidents or convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV on his record for the last 3 years.

19. David E. Miller

    Mr. Miller, 45, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/400 in the left. An 
optometrist examined him in 2001 and certified, ``Mr. Miller clearly 
has sufficient vision to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Miller 
submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 1\1/2\ years, 
accumulating 30,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 1\1/2\ 
years, accumulating 210,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Florida. 
His driving record shows he has had no accidents and one conviction--
Failure to Obey Traffic Instruction Sign/Device--while operating a CMV 
during the last 3 years.

20. Bobby G. Minton

    Mr. Minton, 60, has amblyopia of the left eye. His best-corrected 
vision is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/70-1 in the left. Following an 
examination in 2001, his optometrist stated, ``In my medical opinion, I 
feel that Mr. Minton has sufficient vision to perform driving tasks 
while operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Minton reported that he has 
10 years' experience operating straight trucks, accumulating 1.2 
million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from North Carolina. There are no 
accidents and one conviction for a moving violation--Drive on Wrong 
Side of Undivided Street/Road--in a CMV on his driving record for the 
last 3 years.

21. Lawrence C. Moody

    Mr. Moody, 58, has a prosthetic left eye due to trauma at age 24. 
The visual acuity of his right eye is 20/20. Following an examination 
in 2001, his optometrist certified, ``In my opinion, Mr. Moody has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' According to his application, Mr. Moody has 
operated straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating 250,000 miles, and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 23 years, accumulating 2.8 million 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey. His driving record for 
the last 3 years shows that he had one accident and two convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV, all on separate occasions. The accident 
occurred when his vehicle collided with another vehicle at an 
intersection controlled by a traffic light. The other driver, and not 
Mr. Moody, was charged in the accident. The traffic violations were 
Speeding and Fail to Obey Sign/Traffic Control Device. He exceeded the 
speed limit by 15 mph.

22. Stanley W. Nunn

    Mr. Nunn, 37, has a congenital cataract in his right eye. He has 
hand-motion vision in the right eye and 20/20 vision in the left. 
Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, ``In my 
opinion, Mr. Nunn has sufficient vision to perform any driving task 
required for a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Nunn submitted that he has 
driven straight trucks for 7 years, accumulating 98,000 miles. He holds 
a Class B CDL from Tennessee. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no accidents or convictions for traffic violations in a CMV.

23. William R. Proffitt

    Mr. Proffitt, 41, has amblyopia in his left eye. His visual acuity 
is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left. Following an 
examination in 2001, his ophthalmologist certified, ``Therefore, in my 
medical opinion, Bill has sufficient

[[Page 15665]]

vision to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Proffitt submitted that 
he has driven straight trucks for 4 years, accumulating 40,000 miles. 
He holds a Class B CDL from Arkansas, and his driving record shows he 
has had no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV in 
the last 3 years.

24. Charles L. Schnell

    Mr. Schnell, 53, has a prosthetic right eye following removal of 
the eye for an ocular tumor in 1955. His corrected visual acuity is 20/
20 in the left eye. An ophthalmologist who examined him in 2001 
certified, ``The patient has normal visual function in his left eye. He 
has normal peripheral vision and normal central vision and this should 
supply him with sufficient vision to perform driving tasks. However, 
this only qualifies his visual potential and not overall competency to 
perform the tasks of operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Schnell 
reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combination vehicles for 10 
years, accumulating 900,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Florida. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows one accident and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Another vehicle crossed the 
centerline and struck his vehicle. He was not charged in the accident.

25. Charles L. Shirey

    Mr. Shirey, 51, has amblyopia in his left eye. He has best-
corrected visual acuity of 20/20+ in the right eye and 20/300 in the 
left. Following an examination in 2001, his optometrist stated, ``My 
impression is that Mr. Charles L. Shirey has sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Shirey submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 6 years, 
accumulating 600,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 19 
years, accumulating 2.0 million miles. He holds a Pennsylvania Class AM 
CDL, and his driving record shows that during the last 3 years he has 
had no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

26. James R. Spencer, Sr.

    Mr. Spencer, 61, has amblyopia in his left eye. The best-corrected 
visual acuity of his right eye is 20/20 and of his left eye 20/60. His 
optometrist examined him in 2001 and stated, ``This letter is to 
certify that in my professional opinion, found on the exam done in my 
office on December 19, 2001, Mr. Spencer has adequate vision to perform 
the driving tasks required of a commercial vehicle driver.'' Mr. 
Spencer reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 43 
years, accumulating 4.3 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Florida, and his driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents 
or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

27. David E. Steinke

    Mr. Steinke, 50, has congenital right anophthalmia. His best-
corrected vision in the left eye is 20/15+. An optometrist examined him 
in 2001 and certified, ``I will again reaffirm that in my medical 
opinion, David has sufficient visual skills to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Steinke submitted that he has driven tractor-trailer 
combinations for 24 years, accumulating 2.6 million miles. He holds a 
Class ABCD CDL from Wisconsin, and has no accidents or convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV on his driving record for the last 3 years.

28. Kevin R. Stoner

    Mr. Stoner, 28, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-corrected 
vision is 20/400 in the right eye and 20/15 in the left. An optometrist 
examined him in 2001 and stated, ``Once again, my clinical evaluation 
of this patient reveals no reason why this patient should not qualify 
for an interstate commercial driver's license under the waiver for 
monocular drivers without an optical correction.'' Mr. Stoner reported 
he has driven straight trucks for 2\1/2\ years, accumulating 150,000 
miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 6 years, accumulating 
360,000 miles. He holds a Pennsylvania Class A CDL, and he has had no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV for the past 3 
years, according to his driving record.

29. Carl J. Suggs

    Mr. Suggs, 64, has a macular scar in his left eye. His best-
corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/400 in the 
left. An ophthalmologist examined him in 2001 and certified, ``Mr. 
Suggs has been driving commercial vehicles for many years and has an 
exemplary record and it is my opinion that he has sufficient vision to 
perform the driving task required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Suggs reported that he has driven straight trucks for 32 years, 
accumulating 390,000 miles, and buses for 41 years, accumulating 2.2 
million miles. He holds a Class B CDL from North Carolina, and his 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

30. James A. Torgerson

    Mr. Togerson, 51, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuities are 20/20 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left. An 
optometrist examined him in 2001 and certified, ``In my opinion, Mr. 
Torgerson is visually capable of operating a commercial motor 
vehicle.'' Mr. Torgerson submitted that he has driven straight trucks 
for 5 years, accumulating 250,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 5 years, accumulating 625,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Minnesota, and his driving record for the past 3 years shows 
no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), FMCSA is 
requesting public comment from all interested persons on the exemption 
petitions and the matters discussed in this notice. All comments 
received before the close of business on the closing date indicated 
above will be considered and will be available for examination in the 
docket room at the above address.

    Issued on: March 27, 2002.
Julie Anna Cirillo,
Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-7913 Filed 4-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P