[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 169 (Friday, August 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50442-50445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17348]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2007-28536]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes

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

ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions from the diabetes 
standard; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 18 individuals 
for exemptions from the prohibition against persons with insulin-
treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles 
(CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable 
these individuals with ITDM to operate commercial motor vehicles in 
interstate commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 1, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Department of 
Transportation (DOT) Docket Management System (DMS) Docket

[[Page 50443]]

Number FMCSA-2007-28536 using any of the following methods:
     DOT Web site: Go to http://dmses.dot.gov. Follow the on-
line instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W12-140, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the West Building ground 
floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number 
for this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without 
change to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information 
included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or Room W12-140 on the 
ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The DMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your 
comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard 
or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting 
comments on-line.
    Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477; Apr. 11, 2000). This 
information is also available at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Chief, Physical 
Qualifications Division, (202) 366-4001, [email protected], FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-
224, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, 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 statutes also allow the 
Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 18 
individuals listed in this notice each have recently requested an 
exemption from the diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), which 
applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the 
Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine 
whether granting an exemption will achieve the required level of safety 
mandated by the statutes.

Qualifications of Applicants

    Stephen B. Atkinson
    Mr. Atkinson, age 37, has had ITDM since 1977. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Atkinson meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's 
license from Arizona.
    Thomas G. Blatchley, Jr.
    Mr. Blatchley, 36, has had ITDM since 1983. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2006 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Blatchley meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class E operator's license from 
Florida, which allows him to operate any non-commercial vehicle with a 
gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds.
    George T. Brawner
    Mr. Brawner, 62, has had ITDM since 2004. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2006 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Brawner meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2006 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A Commercial Driver's 
License (CDL) from Kentucky.
    Anthony J. Clark
    Mr. Clark, 41, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Clark meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class R operator's license from 
Colorado, which allows him to operate any motor vehicle with a gross 
vehicle rating of less than 26,001 pounds.
    Jim E. Chester
    Mr. Chester, 48, has had ITDM since 1970. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2006 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Chester meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a chauffeur's license from Indiana.
    Brian S. Fenley
    Mr. Fenley, 32, has had ITDM since 2002. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the

[[Page 50444]]

past 5 years; understands diabetes management and monitoring; and has 
stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a 
CMV safely. Mr. Fenley meets the requirements of the vision standard at 
49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2006 and 
certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a 
chauffeur's license from Indiana.
    Carroll D. Fetcher
    Mr. Fetcher, 68, has had ITDM since 2003. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Fetcher meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Indiana.
    James R. Hudson
    Mr. Hudson, 31, has had ITDM since 2002. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2006 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hudson meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2006 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Arizona.
    Gaines E. Mathis
    Mr. Mathis, 69, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Mathis meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from South Carolina.
    Thomas F. Meade
    Mr. Meade, 74, has had ITDM since 2001. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Meade meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2006 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from Virginia.
    Jerry D. Schoolman
    Mr. Schoolman, 52, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Schoolman meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa.
    Michael Shuler
    Mr. Shuler, 37, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Shuler meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL 
Washington, DC.
    Kenneth G. Steinkamp
    Mr. Steinkamp, 57, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Steinkamp meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois.
    Mark T. Swanberg
    Mr. Swanberg, 63, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2006 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Swanberg meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2007 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Minnesota.
    Chad L. Udy
    Mr. Udy, 34, has had ITDM since 1980. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2006 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions 
resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another 
person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred 
without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management 
and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, 
and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Udy meets the requirements of 
the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2006 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from Utah.
    Ronald C. Vertucci, Jr.
    Mr. Vertucci, 43, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Vertucci meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2006

[[Page 50445]]

and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a 
Class A CDL from Illinois.
    Jeffrey S. Volkman
    Mr. Volkman, 32, has had ITDM since 2002. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Volkman meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2006 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class R operator's license from 
Colorado, which allows him to operate any motor vehicle with a gross 
vehicle rating of less than 26,001 pounds.
    Kendall H. Wilson
    Mr. Wilson, 47, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2007 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wilson meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2007 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Illinois.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, 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 
dates section of the Notice.
    FMCSA notes that section 4129 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible 
and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-
LU) requires the Secretary to revise its diabetes exemption program 
established on September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441).\1\ The revision must 
provide for individual assessment of drivers with diabetes mellitus, 
and be consistent with the criteria described in section 4018 of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 31305).
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    \1\ Section 4129(a) refers to the 2003 Notice as a ``final 
rule.'' However, the 2003 Notice did not issue a ``final rule'' but 
did establish the procedures and standards for issuing exemptions 
for drivers with ITDM.
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    Section 4129 requires: (1) The elimination of the requirement for 
three years of experience operating CMVs while being treated with 
insulin; and (2) the establishment of a specified minimum period of 
insulin use to demonstrate stable control of diabetes before being 
allowed to operate a CMV.
    In response to section 4129, FMCSA made immediate revisions to the 
diabetes exemption program established by the September 3, 2003 Notice. 
FMCSA discontinued use of the 3-year driving experience and fulfilled 
the requirements of section 4129 while continuing to ensure that 
operation of CMVs by drivers with ITDM will achieve the requisite level 
of safety required of all exemptions granted under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e).
    Section 4129(d) also directed FMCSA to ensure that drivers of CMVs 
with ITDM are not held to a higher standard than other drivers, with 
the exception of limited operating, monitoring and medical requirements 
that are deemed medically necessary. FMCSA concluded that all of the 
operating, monitoring and medical requirements set out in the September 
3, 2003 Notice, except as modified, were in compliance with section 
4129(d). Therefore, all of the requirements set out in the September 3, 
2003 Notice, except as modified by the Notice in the Federal Register 
on November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), remain in effect.

    Dated: August 27, 2007.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E7-17348 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P