[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71112-71116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29628]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0300]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

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

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 20 individuals 
for exemption 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 CMVs in interstate commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0300 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the

[[Page 71113]]

on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 1 (202) 493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the 
docket numbers for this notice. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below 
for further information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://www.regulations.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 Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. For acknowledgment of 
receipt of 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 DOT's Privacy Act Statement for the FDMS published in 
the Federal Register on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit 
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical 
Programs 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 
from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 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 20 individuals listed 
in this notice have recently requested such 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 the 
exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by the 
statutes.

Qualifications of Applicants

George T. Beard

    Mr. Beard, age 57, has had ITDM since 2004-2005. His 
endocrinologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no 
severe 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 12 months 
and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 
years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Beard understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Beard meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Virginia.

Gary L. Breitenbach

    Mr. Breitenbach, 48, has had ITDM since 2011. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Breitenbach understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Breitenbach meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A Commercial Driver's License 
(CDL) from South Carolina.

Matthew G. Denisov

    Mr. Denisov, 39, has had ITDM since age 18. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Denisov understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Denisov meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class O operator's license from 
Nebraska.

Marlin L. Enquist

    Mr. Enquist, 63, has had ITDM for approximately 2 years. His 
endocrinologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no 
severe 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 12 months 
and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 
years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Enquist understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Enquist meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from South Dakota.

Steven W. Gerling

    Mr. Gerling, 58, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Gerling understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Gerling meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement

[[Page 71114]]

at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and 
certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Iowa.

Jackie D. Greenlee

    Mr. Greenlee, 64, has had ITDM since approximately 2003. His 
endocrinologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no 
severe 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 12 months 
and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 
years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Greenlee understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Greenlee meets 
the requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio.

Justin W. Jackson

    Mr. Jackson, 21, has had ITDM since 1998. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Jackson understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Jackson meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Oklahoma.

Edward L. Keith

    Mr. Keith, 55, has had ITDM since 2011. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Keith understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Keith meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois.

David T. Kylander

    Mr. Kylander, 58, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Kylander understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Kylander meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class F operator's license from 
Missouri.

Eugene J. Nowicki

    Mr. Nowicki, 60, has had ITDM for the past 6 years. His 
endocrinologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no 
severe 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 12 months 
and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 
years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Nowicki understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Nowicki meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Michigan.

Jonathan R. Oskin

    Mr. Oskin, 30, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Oskin understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Oskin meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from 
Pennsylvania.

Kevin A. Perdue

    Mr. Perdue, 39, has had ITDM since the age of 20. His 
endocrinologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no 
severe 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 12 months 
and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 
years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Perdue understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Perdue meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's 
license from Maryland.

Michael E. Pleak

    Mr. Pleak, 49, has had ITDM since 2011. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Pleak understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Pleak meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Chauffeur license from Indiana.

Sarah M. Powell

    Ms. Powell, 46, has had ITDM since 1989. Her endocrinologist 
examined her in 2011 and certified that she has had no severe 
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 12 months and no

[[Page 71115]]

recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
Her endocrinologist certifies that Ms. Powell understands diabetes 
management and monitoring has stable control of her diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Ms. Powell meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Her 
ophthalmologist examined her in 2011 and certified that she has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. She holds a Class D operator's 
license from New Mexico.

Christopher C. Stephenson

    Mr. Stephenson, 44, has had ITDM since 2011. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Stephenson understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely.
    Mr. Stephenson meets the requirements of the vision requirement at 
49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2011 and 
certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Kansas.

Richard F. VanPelt

    Mr. VanPelt, 70, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. VanPelt understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. VanPelt meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from New 
York.

Michael A. Villareal

    Mr. Villareal, 59, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Villareal understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Villareal meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Arizona.

Richard L. White

    Mr. White, 30, has had ITDM since 1988. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. White understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. White meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class R operator's license from 
Mississippi.

Jon W. Wood

    Mr. Wood, 41, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 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 12 months and no recurrent (2 or 
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His 
endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Wood understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wood meets the requirements of the 
vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined 
him in 2011 and certified that he does not have/has stable diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from Minnesota.

Paul A. Wright

    Mr. Wright, 58, has had ITDM since 1989. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Wright understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wright meets the 
requirements of the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New 
York.

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 in the date section 
of the notice.
    FMCSA notes that section 4129 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible 
and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users 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) Elimination of the requirement for 3 
years of experience operating CMVs while being treated with insulin; 
and (2) 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

[[Page 71116]]

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.
    The 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.

    Issued on: November 9, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-29628 Filed 11-15-11; 8:45 am]
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