[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72031-72034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29958]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0301]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 18 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 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0301 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 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 online.
    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 18 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

Mark A. Aspden

    Mr. Aspden, age 51, 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. Aspden understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Aspden meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements 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 Massachusetts.

Rodney C. Backus

    Mr. Backus, 28, has had ITDM since 1997. 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. Backus understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Backus meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements 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 D operator's license from 
New York.

Peter A. Briester

    Mr. Briester, 48, has had ITDM since 2004. 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. Briester understands diabetes 
management and monitoring,

[[Page 72032]]

has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive 
a CMV safely. Mr. Briester meets the requirements of the vision 
requirements 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 Wisconsin.

Gerald R. Curran

    Mr. Curran, 46, 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. Curran understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Curran meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements 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 Pennsylvania.

Shawn K. Fleming

    Mr. Fleming, 44, has had ITDM since 2000. 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. Fleming understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Fleming meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements 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 CDL from Pennsylvania.

Daniel C. French

    Mr. French, 41, has had ITDM since 1991. 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. French understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. French meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not 
have/has stable diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license 
from Virginia.

Garry W. Garrison

    Mr. Garrison, 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. Garrison understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Garrison 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 Wisconsin.

Gregory L. Horton

    Mr. Horton, 45, 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. Horton understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Horton meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements 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 
Georgia.

Anthony B. Jones

    Mr. Jones, 51, 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. Jones understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Jones meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements 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 Wisconsin.

Jay T. Kirschmann

    Mr. Kirschmann, 33, has had ITDM since the age of 8. 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. Kirschmann understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Kirschmann 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 North 
Dakota.

Patrick G. Landers

    Mr. Landers, 23, has had ITDM since 2007. 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. Landers understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Landers 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 D operator's license from 
New York.

Paul J. Marshall

    Mr. Marshall, 48, has had ITDM since 1992. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 and certified that he has had no

[[Page 72033]]

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. Marshall understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Marshall 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 Utah.

Robert J. Pierce

    Mr. Pierce, 58, has had ITDM since 1992. 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. Pierce understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Pierce 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 chauffeur's 
license from Michigan.

Kenneth B. Pratt

    Mr. Pratt, 70, 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. Pratt understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Pratt meets the 
requirements of the vision requirements 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 Pennsylvania.

James G. Rahn

    Mr. Rahn, 41, 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. Rahn understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Rahn meets the requirements of the 
vision requirements 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 Iowa.

Ward A. Stone

    Mr. Stone, 62, has had ITDM since 2004. 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. Stone understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Stone 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 Wisconsin.

Todd J. Timmerman

    Mr. Timmerman, 40, has had ITDM since 1980. 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. Timmerman understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Timmerman 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 DL operator's license from 
Wisconsin.

James L. Weinert

    Mr. Weinert, 58, has had ITDM since 1997. 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. Weinert understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Weinert 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 
Ohio.

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

[[Page 72034]]

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. 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 10, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-29958 Filed 11-18-11; 8:45 am]
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