[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48496-48498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17463]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0032]


Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption; 
Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler)

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition; grant of application for 
exemption.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant an exemption to Daimler 
Trucks North America (Daimler) for one of its commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers. Daimler requested a 5-year exemption from the Federal 
requirement to hold a U.S. commercial driver's license (CDL) for Mr. 
Sebastian Boehm, a project engineer for the Daimler Trucks and Bus 
Division. Mr. Boehm holds a valid German commercial license and wants 
to test drive Daimler vehicles on U.S. roads to better understand 
product requirements in ``real world'' environments, and verify 
results. Daimler believes the requirements for a German commercial 
license ensure that operation under the exemption will likely achieve a 
level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be 
obtained in the absence of the exemption.

DATES: This exemption is effective July 25, 2016 and expires July 25, 
2021.

ADDRESSES:
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit 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., ET, Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The on-line FDMS is available 24 hours each 
day, 365 days each year.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter

[[Page 48497]]

provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records 
notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning this 
notice, contact Ms. Pearlie Robinson, FMCSA Driver and Carrier 
Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety 
Standards; Telephone: 202-366-4325. Email: [email protected]. If you have 
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact 
Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov and insert 
the docket number, ``FMCSA-2012-0032 in the ``Keyword'' box and click 
``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket Folder'' button and choose 
the document to review. If you do not have access to the Internet, you 
may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility 
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

II. Legal Basis

    FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant 
exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. FMCSA 
must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register 
(49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity 
to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any 
safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide 
an opportunity for public comment on the request.
    The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments, and 
determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level 
of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of 
the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 
381.315(b)) with the reason for the grant or denial, and, if granted, 
the specific person or class of persons receiving the exemption, and 
the regulatory provision or provisions from which exemption is granted. 
The notice must also specify the effective period of the exemption, and 
explain its terms and conditions. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 
381.300(b)).
    Section 5206(a)(3) of the ``Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
Act,'' (FAST Act) [Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1537, Dec. 4, 2015], 
amended 49 U.S.C. 31315(b) by adding a new paragraph (2) which permits 
exemptions for no longer than 5 years from their dates of inception, 
instead of the previous 2 years. This statutory provision will be 
codified in 49 CFR part 381 in a forthcoming rulemaking.

III. Request for Exemption

    On behalf of Sebastian Boehm, Daimler has applied for a 5-year 
exemption from 49 CFR 383.23, which prescribes licensing requirements 
for drivers operating CMVs in interstate or intrastate commerce. Mr. 
Boehm is unable to obtain a CDL in any of the States due to his lack of 
residency in the United States. A copy of the application is in Docket 
No. FMCSA-2012-0032.
    The exemption would allow Mr. Boehm to operate CMVs in interstate 
or intrastate commerce to support Daimler field tests designed to meet 
future vehicle safety and environmental requirements and to promote 
technological advancements in vehicle safety systems and emissions 
reductions. Mr. Boehm needs to drive Daimler vehicles on public roads 
to better understand ``real world'' environments in the U.S. market. 
According to Daimler, Mr. Boehm will typically drive for no more than 6 
hours per day, and that 10 percent of the test driving will be on two-
lane state highways, while 90 percent will be on interstate highways. 
The driving will consist of no more than 200 miles per day, for one to 
two weeks on a quarterly basis. He will in all cases be accompanied by 
a holder of a U.S. CDL who is familiar with the routes to be traveled.
    Mr. Boehm would be required to comply with all applicable Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) (49 CFR parts 350-399) except 
the CDL provisions described in this notice.
    Mr. Boehm holds a valid German commercial license, and as explained 
by Daimler in its exemption request, the requirements for that license 
ensure that the same level of safety is met or exceeded as if this 
driver had a U.S. CDL. Furthermore, according to Daimler, Mr. Boehm is 
familiar with the operation of CMVs worldwide.
    FMCSA has previously determined that the process for obtaining a 
German commercial license is comparable to, or as effective as, the 
requirements of part 383, and adequately assesses the driver's ability 
to operate CMVs in the U.S. Since 2012, FMCSA has granted Daimler 
drivers similar exemptions [May 25, 2012 (77 FR 31422); July 22, 2014 
(79 FR 42626); March 27, 2015 (80 FR 16511); October 5, 2015 (80 FR 
60220); December 7, 2015 (80 FR 76059); December 21, 2015 (80 FR 
79410)].

Public Comments

    On May 4, 2016, FMCSA published notice of this application and 
requested public comments (81 FR 26866). No comments were submitted.

FMCSA Decision

    Based upon the merits of this application, including Mr. Boehm's 
extensive driving experience and safety record, FMCSA has concluded 
that the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is 
equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent 
such exemption, in accordance with Sec.  381.305(a).

Terms and Conditions for the Exemption

    FMCSA grants Daimler and Sebastian Boehm an exemption from the CDL 
requirement in 49 CFR 383.23 to allow Mr. Boehm to drive CMVs in this 
country without a U.S. State-issued CDL, subject to the following terms 
and conditions: (1) The driver and carrier must comply with all other 
applicable provisions of the FMCSRs (49 CFR parts 350-399); (2) the 
driver must be in possession of the exemption document and a valid 
German commercial license; (3) the driver must be employed by and 
operate the CMV within the scope of his duties for Daimler; (4) at all 
times while operating a CMV under this exemption, the driver must be 
accompanied by a holder of a U.S. CDL who is familiar with the routes 
traveled; (5) Daimler must notify FMCSA in writing within 5 business 
days of any accident, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, involving this 
driver; and (6) Daimler must notify FMCSA in writing if this driver is 
convicted of a disqualifying offense under Sec.  383.51 or Sec.  391.15 
of the FMCSRs.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the exemption will 
be valid for 5 years unless revoked earlier by the FMCSA. The exemption 
will be revoked if: (1) Mr. Boehm fails to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption results in a lower level 
of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) 
continuation of the exemption would be inconsistent with the goals and 
objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136.

[[Page 48498]]

 VIII. Preemption

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 
381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall 
enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate or intrastate 
commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption 
with respect to a firm or person operating under the exemption.

    Issued on: July 14, 2016.
 T.F. Scott Darling, III,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-17463 Filed 7-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P