[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10301-10304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5017]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2003-14223]


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.

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SUMMARY: This notice publishes the FMCSA's receipt of applications from 
21 individuals for an exemption from the vision requirement in the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). 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 the FMCSRs.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 3, 2003.

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 at 
http://dms.dot.gov. Please include the docket number that appears 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 us to notify you that we 
received your comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped 
envelope or postcard.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the 
Department of Transportation's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; 
Pages 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Zywokarte, Office of Bus 
and Truck Standards and Operations, (202) 366-2987, FMCSA, Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the 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. 
The 21 individuals listed in this notice have recently requested an 
exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which 
applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the 
agency will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine 
whether granting the exemption will achieve the required level of 
safety.

Qualifications of Applicants

1. Gordon L. Apple

    Mr. Apple, 71, has had crossed eyes since childhood and alternates 
from one eye to the other. His best-corrected visual acuity is 20/25 in 
the right eye and 20/25 in the left. His ophthalmologist examined him 
in 2002 and certified, ``The condition should be stable and he is 
visually able to drive commercially.'' Mr. Apple submitted that he has 
driven straight trucks for 18 years, accumulating 360,000 miles, 
tractor-trailer combinations for 35 years, accumulating 2.6 million 
miles, and buses for 6 months, accumulating 2,000 miles. He holds a 
Class A CDL from Arkansas. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

2. Stanley E. Bernard

    Mr. Bernard, 57, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/300 and in the left, 20/20. 
Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, ``Stan 
Bernard meets the visual requirements to perform the driving tasks 
needed to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Bernard reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 30 years, accumulating 1.5 million 
miles. He holds a Class DM1 driver's license from Alaska. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

3. John D. Bolding, Jr.

    Mr. Bolding, 43, has a macular scar in his left eye due to an 
injury in 1995. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 
20/15 and in the left, 20/200. An optometrist examined him in 2002 and 
stated, ``In our professional opinion, Mr. Bolding has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Bolding submitted that he has driven tractor-trailer 
combinations for 14 years, accumulating 700,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Oklahoma. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

4. Ronald B. Brown

    Mr. Brown, 55, lost the central vision in his right eye due to a 
retinal vein occlusion in 1993. His best-corrected visual acuity in the 
right eye is hand motions and in the left, 20/25. His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2002 and stated, ``I would hereby certify that in my 
medical opinion, Mr. Brown has vision adequate to perform the tasks of 
his present occupation, that of driving a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. 
Brown submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 6 years, 
accumulating 300,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 24 
years, accumulating 2.9 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Maine. His driving record shows no accidents or convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

5. Michael P. Curtin

    Mr. Curtin, 47, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/400 and in the left, 20/20. 
Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, ``I do not 
feel this should decrease his ability to safely drive a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Curtin submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 
20 years, accumulating 100,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations 
for 2 years, accumulating 10,000 miles. He holds a Class AM CDL from 
Illinois. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

6. Albion C. Doe

    Mr. Doe, 44, has a congenital toxoplasmosis scar in his right eye. 
His visual acuity is counting fingers in the right eye and 20/25 in the 
left. Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, 
``Mr. Doe has a congenital toxoplasmosis scar in his right eye which 
will not impair his ability to drive a commercial vehicle in any way.'' 
Mr. Doe submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, 
accumulating 780,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Hampshire. 
His driving record shows no accidents or convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

7. James M. Eads

    Mr. Eads, 52, is blind in his left eye due to injury at age 5. His 
best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20. An optometrist 
examined him in 2002 and stated, ``His right eye is revealed to have 
good ocular health and he has adapted well with his monocular vision to 
safely drive a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Eads reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 12 years, accumulating 480,000 miles. He 
holds a chauffeur's license from Indiana. His

[[Page 10303]]

driving record shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV during the last 3 years.

8. Richard L. Elyard

    Mr. Elyard, 55, is blind in his right eye due to an accident 30 
years ago. The best-corrected visual acuity in his left eye is 20/20. 
Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, ``It is my 
opinion that Mr. Elyard is visually qualified to operate a commercial 
vehicle at this time.'' Mr. Elyard reported that he has driven tractor-
trailer combinations for 30 years, accumulating 3.1 million miles. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Virginia. His driving record shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV during the last 
3 years.

9. Michael R. Forschino

    Mr. Forschino, 56, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-
corrected visual acuity is 20/25 in the right eye and 20/50--in the 
left. His optometrist examined him in 2002 and stated, ``Mr. Forschino 
possesses sufficient vision required to operate a commercial motor 
vehicle.'' Mr. Forschino reported that he has driven straight trucks 
for 7 years, accumulating 434,000 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from 
Connecticut. His driving record shows no accidents or convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

10. John C. Gadomski

    Mr. Gadomski, 38, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left. His 
optometrist examined him in 2002 and stated, ``I do believe that his 
vision is sufficient to perform driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Gadomski reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 15 years, accumulating 1.5 million miles. He holds a Class B 
CDL from New York. His driving record shows no accidents or convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

11. Richard H. Hammann

    Mr. Hammann, 64, has reduced vision in his left eye due to trauma 
in 1998. His best-corrected visual acuity is 20/30 in the right eye and 
20/200 in the left. His ophthalmologist examined him in 2002 and 
stated, ``In my opinion he has adequate vision to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Hammann reported that he has driven straight trucks for 
44 years, accumulating 1.8 million miles, tractor-trailer combinations 
for 15 years, accumulating 1.2 million miles, and buses for 44 years, 
accumulating 2.6 million miles. He holds a Class BCDM CDL from 
Wisconsin. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents 
or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

12. Carl M. Hill

    Mr. Hill, 68, has had a histoplasmosis scar in his left eye since 
childhood. His best-corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in his right eye 
and 20/100 in the left. An optometrist examined him in 2002 and stated, 
``In my opinion, Mr. Hill has sufficient vision to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Hill reported that he has driven straight trucks for 3 
years, accumulating 3,000 miles, tractor-trailer combinations for 13 
years, accumulating 975,000 miles, and buses for 1 year, accumulating 
5,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from California. His driving record 
for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV.

13. David A. Hiller

    Mr. Hiller, 53, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 and in the left, 20/400. 
Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist stated, ``It is my 
professional opinion that Mr. Hiller's visual condition has not 
previously affected his ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle 
nor should it affect any further performance.'' Mr. Hiller submitted 
that he has driven straight trucks for 34 years, accumulating 3.2 
million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Minnesota. His driving 
record shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV 
during the last 3 years.

14. Billy L. Johnson

    Mr. Johnson, 25, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 and in the left, 20/60-2. His 
optometrist examined him in 2002 and certified, ``I do feel, in my 
opinion, that he does have sufficient vision to perform commercial 
driving tasks and it is the same now as over the past few years.'' Mr. 
Johnson submitted that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 4 
years, accumulating 270,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from North 
Carolina. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

15. Christopher J. Kane

    Mr. Kane, 44, has retinal scarring in his left eye due to injury at 
age 12. His best-corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in the right eye and 
20/80--in the left. Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist 
stated, ``I would certify Mr. Kane's vision as sufficient for operating 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Kane reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 2 years, accumulating 28,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 4 years, accumulating 158,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Vermont. His driving record shows no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

16. Jack E. Kettner

    Mr. Kettner, 33, experienced optic atrophy in his left eye due to 
tumor resection in 1992. His best-corrected visual acuity is 20/20 in 
the right eye and counting fingers in the left. An optometrist examined 
him in 2002 and certified, ``Jack Kettner has sufficient vision to 
perform commercial driving tasks.'' Mr. Kettner submitted that he has 
driven straight trucks for 10 years, accumulating 150,000 miles. He 
holds a Class B CDL from Florida. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

17. Wallace F. Mahan, Sr.

    Mr. Mahan, 63, experienced a retinal vein occlusion in his right 
eye in 1998. His best-corrected visual acuity is 20/400+1 in the right 
eye and 20/25+3 in the left. Following an examination in 2002, his 
ophthalmologist certified, ``It is my medical opinion that the patient 
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Mahan reported that he has driven tractor-
trailer combinations for 40 years, accumulating 1.6 million miles. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Maine. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

18. James R. Petre

    Mr. Petre, 50, has counting fingers vision in his left eye due to a 
childhood injury. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 
20/20. His optometrist examined him in 2002 and stated, ``I do certify 
in my opinion, that Mr. James Petre has sufficient vision to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Petre 
submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 30 years, accumulating 
600,000 miles. Mr. Petre holds a Class B CDL from Maryland. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

19. William E. Reveal

    Mr. Reveal, 37, has a retinal detachment in his right eye resulting 
from a congenital condition. His best-corrected visual acuity in the 
left eye is

[[Page 10304]]

20/20 and in the right, hand motions. His optometrist examined him in 
2002 and stated, ``Due to the clarity of Mr. Reveal's vision in the 
left eye, and his life long adaptation to the reduction of vision in 
his right eye, it is my opinion that his vision is sufficient to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Reveal reported that he has driven straight trucks for 14 years, 
accumulating 420,000 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from Ohio. His 
driving record shows no accidents and two convictions for moving 
violations--speeding and ``failure to obey a traffic control device/
sign''--in a CMV. He exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph.

20. Robert P. Sanderson

    Mr. Sanderson, 59, is blind in his left eye due to a central 
retinal artery occlusion that occurred in 1998. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20. His ophthalmologist examined 
him in 2002 and certified, ``Mr. Sanderson's visual acuity in his good 
eye is stable and I feel he has sufficient vision to perform the 
driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Sanderson 
submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, accumulating 
300,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 30 years, 
accumulating 2.4 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Vermont. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

21. Janusz Tyrpien

    Mr. Tyrpien, 45, has had a chorio-retinal scar in his left eye 
since 1998. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 
and in the left, 20/50. An optometrist examined him in 2002 and stated, 
``It is my opinion that he has sufficient vision to perform the tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Tyrpien reported that 
he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 3 years, accumulating 
300,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Florida. His driving record 
shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV during 
the last 3 years.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the FMCSA requests 
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions 
described in this notice. We will consider all comments received before 
the close of business on the closing date indicated earlier in the 
notice.

    Issued on: February 24, 2003.
Pamela M. Pelcovits,
Acting Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 03-5017 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P