[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 162 (Monday, August 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56745-56750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19948]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0069]


Commercial Driver's Licenses; Proposed Pilot Program To Allow 
Persons Between the Ages of 18 and 21 With Military Driving Experience 
To Operate Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate Commerce

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed pilot program; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As required by section 5404 of the Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation (FAST) Act, FMCSA proposes a pilot program to allow a 
limited number of individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate 
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce if they have 
received specified heavy-vehicle driver training while in military 
service and are sponsored by a participating motor carrier. During the 
3-year pilot program, the safety records of these younger drivers (the 
study group) would be compared to the records of a control group of 
comparable size, comprised of drivers who are 21 years of age or older 
and who have comparable training and experience in driving vehicles 
requiring a commercial driver's license (CDL). The control group would 
consist of volunteer drivers who meet specified criteria and are 
employed by a participating carrier. The comparison of the two groups' 
performance would help to determine whether age is a critical safety 
factor. FMCSA also proposes criteria for a working group to consult 
with the Agency in conducting, monitoring, and evaluating the pilot 
program. Further, the Agency outlines procedural steps and a data 
collection plan, and requests comments on these elements.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 21, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-2016-0069 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: 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 or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number 
for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without 
change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
    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 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: Mr. Selden Fritschner, CDL Division, 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001, by email at [email protected], 
or by telephone at 202-366-0677. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone 
(202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and 
related materials. In this notice, FMCSA requests certain information, 
but comments are not limited to responses to those requests.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice (FMCSA-2016-0069), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for 
suggestions or recommendations. You may submit your comments and 
material online, by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only 
one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a 
mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of 
your document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to www.regulations.gov, put the 
docket number, ``FMCSA-2016-0069'' in the ``Keyword'' box, and click 
``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on the ``Comment Now!'' 
button and type your comment into the text box in the following screen. 
Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on 
behalf of a third party and then submit. If you submit your comments by 
mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you 
submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the 
facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or 
envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during 
the comment period.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this notice as 
being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov and insert the 
docket number, ``FMCSA-2016-0069'' in the ``Keyword'' box and click 
``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket Folder'' button and choose 
the document listed 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

    On June 9, 1998, the President signed the Transportation Equity Act 
for the 21st Century (TEA-21) (Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107). Section 
4007 of TEA-21 amended 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e) to give the 
Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) authority to grant waivers 
and exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 
(FMCSRs) and to conduct pilot programs. A waiver is limited to a period 
of 3 months and may be granted without requesting public comment. By 
contrast, an exemption may remain in effect for up to 5 years \1\ and 
may be renewed. The Secretary must provide the public with an 
opportunity to

[[Page 56746]]

comment on each exemption request prior to granting or denying it.
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    \1\ Section 5206 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
(FAST) Act amended 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(2) to extend the maximum 
duration of an exemption from 2 years to 5 years, effective October 
1, 2015.
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    Section 4007 also authorizes pilot programs in which one or more 
exemptions are granted to allow for the testing of innovative 
alternatives to certain FMCSRs. FMCSA must publish in the Federal 
Register a detailed description of each pilot program, including the 
exemptions being considered, and provide notice and an opportunity for 
public comment before the effective date of the program. The Agency is 
required to ensure that the safety measures in the pilot programs are 
designed to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater 
than, the level of safety that would be achieved through compliance 
with the safety regulations. The maximum duration of pilot programs is 
3 years from the starting date.
    At the conclusion of each pilot program, FMCSA must report to 
Congress its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including 
suggested amendments to laws and regulations that would enhance motor 
carrier, CMV, and driver safety, and improve compliance with the 
FMCSRs.
    Section 4007 was implemented through an interim final rule (IFR) on 
December 8, 1998 (63 FR 67600) and codified at 49 CFR part 381. The IFR 
was finalized on August 20, 2004 (69 FR 51589). The final rule 
established procedures applicants must follow to request waivers and 
apply for exemptions from the FMCSRs and procedures to propose and 
manage pilot programs.
    Section 5404 of the FAST Act (Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1549, 
Dec. 4, 2015) requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a 
commercial driver pilot program to ``. . . study the feasibility, 
benefits, and safety impacts of allowing a covered driver to operate a 
commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.'' A ``covered driver'' 
is defined as a member or former member of the armed forces or reserve 
and national guard components between the ages of 18 and 21, who is 
qualified in a Military Occupational Specialty to operate a CMV or 
similar vehicle. A driver participating in the program may not 
transport passengers or hazardous cargo, or operate a vehicle in a 
``special configuration.''
    Section 5404 requires the pilot program to collect and analyze data 
regarding crashes involving covered drivers participating in the 
program, and drivers under the age of 21 operating CMVs in intrastate 
commerce. (See Section VIII of this notice.)
    Section 5404 also requires the Secretary to ``. . . conduct, 
monitor, and evaluate . . .'' the pilot program in consultation with a 
working group consisting of representatives of the armed forces, 
industry, drivers, safety advocacy organizations, and State licensing 
and enforcement officials. The working group must review the data 
collected and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the 
feasibility, benefits, and safety impacts of allowing a covered driver 
to operate in interstate commerce. (See Section V of this notice.)
III. Background

Applicable Regulations

    Drivers of CMVs engaged in interstate commerce must be at least 21 
years of age (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)). This includes CMVs for which CDLs 
are required, as well as certain other CMVs for which a CDL is not 
required.
    In the May 9, 2011, final rule on ``Commercial Driver's License 
Testing and Commercial Learner's Permit Standards'' (76 FR 26854), the 
Agency set a minimum age of 18 for an individual to obtain a commercial 
learner's permit (CLP) prior to obtaining a CDL. An 18-year-old CLP 
holder is allowed to drive in intrastate commerce only. Therefore, the 
proposed pilot program requires that participating drivers be provided 
relief from sections of 49 CFR parts 383 and 391 concerning minimum age 
requirements.

Prior Younger Driver Pilot Program Efforts

    In the early 1970s, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 
FMCSA's predecessor agency, examined the subject of the minimum age of 
CMV drivers as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the driver 
qualification requirements. FHWA conducted a literature review and 
analyzed crash statistics and psychological data. The result was a 1975 
report titled ``Minimum Age Requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations.'' A copy of the report is filed in the docket 
identified at the beginning of this notice. The Agency found that most 
drivers under the age of 21 ``lack the general maturity, skill and 
judgment that is necessary in handling commercial motor vehicles.'' The 
report concluded that there was no support for lowering the age limit 
of 21.
    Subsequently, on October 2, 2000, the Truckload Carriers 
Association (TCA) petitioned FMCSA to conduct a younger driver pilot 
program. Motor carriers, truck driver training schools, a trade 
association, and an insurance company joined in the petition asking 
FMCSA to authorize a pilot program to determine if CMV drivers under 
age 21 could operate CMVs safely in interstate commerce. Petitioners 
stated that this pilot would address the shortage of CMV drivers in the 
trucking industry. Petitioners also asserted that recruiting young 
persons as truck drivers would be easier if they could be approached 
immediately after graduation from high school.
    The pilot program proposed by TCA would have involved a minimum of 
48 weeks of intensive classroom and driving instruction and supervision 
that was designed to lead to full-time employment as an interstate CMV 
driver. Each younger driver (18 to 21 years of age) would attend a 
truck driver training school approved by the Professional Truck Driver 
Institute for a minimum of 22 weeks and receive 8 weeks of training in 
a motor carrier's ``driver finishing'' program. This would be followed 
by 18 weeks of team driving with an older, more experienced driver. 
Younger drivers would be required to pass the performance standards of 
the entire 48-week program and reach the age of 19 to begin solo 
driving.
    On February 20, 2001, FMCSA published a notice asking six questions 
about the proposed pilot program and requesting public comment on the 
TCA petition (66 FR 10935). FMCSA received more than 1,600 comments. 
Very few commenters presented data either for or against the program. 
More than 90 percent of the commenters were opposed, most on the basis 
that individuals under the age of 21 lacked the maturity and judgment 
to operate a CMV. None explained how interstate drivers under 21 would 
diminish safety when most States have concluded that intrastate drivers 
under 21 do not do so. Very few truck drivers and motor carriers 
commented, but most of them also opposed the pilot program.
    The following language appeared in the Senate Report accompanying 
the Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 Department of Transportation Appropriations 
bill: ``Given the fact that young drivers are overrepresented in motor 
vehicle crashes, the Committee is not convinced of the merits of this 
proposal. Prior to the approval of such a pilot program, the Committee 
directs the FMCSA Administrator to conduct a thorough analysis of the 
safety ramifications and whether there's a genuine shortage of truck 
drivers to warrant such a waiver of the Federal safety regulations.'' 
[Senate Report No. 107-224, July 26, 2002].
    On June 9, 2003 (68 FR 34467, 34468), FMCSA denied the TCA petition 
stating that ``the Agency does not have sufficient information at this 
time to

[[Page 56747]]

make a determination that the safety measures in the pilot program are 
designed to achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, 
the level of safety provided by complying with the minimum 21-year age 
requirement to operate a CMV.''

IV. Structure of the Proposed Pilot Program

    The purpose of this proposed 3-year pilot program is to determine 
whether persons under the age of 21 can safely operate CMVs in 
interstate commerce, and to enhance opportunities for persons with 
relevant military training to enter the CMV industry. While many 
intrastate CMV drivers are already in this age group, the Agency is not 
aware of any studies or published reports comparing their safety 
performance with that of drivers over 21, either interstate or 
intrastate. This pilot program proposes to utilize a study group of 
drivers under the age of 21, who have trained on and operated heavy 
vehicles while in military service. Because many service personnel 
leave active duty while close to or over the age of 21, it is likely 
that most study group members would be reservists or National Guard 
members. Persons who meet the qualifications described later in this 
notice may apply to a participating motor carrier for study group 
sponsorship, which, if approved, would allow the individual to operate 
a CMV in interstate commerce for that carrier before age 21. To have a 
statistically valid sample of drivers under the age of 21, 
approximately 200 study group participants are desired. When these 
individuals reach the age of 21, they would no longer participate in 
the pilot program and would be replaced by new study group members 
meeting the eligibility requirements. The length of time during which 
replacement study group members will be added will be determined by 
FMCSA based on the statistical and administrative needs of the pilot 
data collection plan.
    Participating carriers that meet the qualifications described later 
in this notice would sponsor study group members and perform other 
duties related to the pilot, such as filing certain reports and 
recruiting existing drivers to participate as control group members. To 
reduce the administrative effort involved, FMCSA anticipates that a 
fairly small number of carriers would be selected to participate.
    The control group of older drivers would be needed to form a 
baseline of comparison for the safety records of the younger study 
group drivers. The control group participants would be 21 years of age 
and older, would have received formal CMV driving training comparable 
to that of the study group members, and would have similar lengths of 
driving experience. These control group members working for the same 
participating carriers would volunteer as the study group members. As a 
participating carrier receives approval from FMCSA for a qualifying 
younger employee to be in the study group, the carrier would then 
submit a qualifying, existing employee for inclusion in the control 
group. In this manner, an approximately equal number of drivers would 
be accepted by FMCSA for each group.
    Carriers would be required to install and operate electronic 
logging devices (ELDs) on all vehicles operated by study and control 
group drivers. Data from these devices, such as vehicle miles traveled 
(VMT), is essential to analyze driving safety records.
    In addition to identification data for all participants, FMCSA 
would gather safety data for all study and control group drivers during 
the pilot, such as crashes and driving and inspection violations. 
Because the amount of data of this nature that can be collected in 3 
years may be comparatively small, FMCSA would also consider requesting 
participating carriers that have onboard monitoring systems (OBMSs) to 
share that data. The safety-critical events (SCEs) \2\ recorded by 
OBMSs may provide valuable information on drivers' operating 
performance. The use of OBMSs would be based on the willingness of 
carriers and drivers to participate and the existing equipment in the 
carrier's cabs. FMCSA specifically seeks comments on this option.
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    \2\ Safety-critical events include crashes, near-crashes, and 
crash-relevant conflicts.
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    FMCSA would reserve the right to select the carriers to participate 
and continue in the pilot, as well as to approve the members of the 
study and control groups.

V. Management of the Proposed Pilot Program; the Working Group

    Section 5404 of the FAST Act requires the Secretary to ``. . . 
conduct, monitor, and evaluate . . .'' the pilot program in 
consultation with a working group consisting of representatives of the 
armed forces, industry, drivers, safety advocacy organizations, and 
State licensing and enforcement officials. The organization and 
appointment of this working group would take place under existing 
Departmental policies and procedures.
    FMCSA would designate a project manager for the pilot program and 
review applications for this program. Approved participating carriers 
would be publicly announced on the Agency's Web site to encourage 
potential study group members (i.e., drivers) to apply through the 
identified carriers for participation. Approved carriers would be able 
to assist potential study group drivers (whom they sponsor) with 
completion of the application and participation agreement. When a 
carrier receives notification that a qualifying study group member has 
been approved by FMCSA, the carrier would then submit a form and 
agreement for a control group driver. In this manner, the number of 
drivers in each group would be similar; i.e., about 200 in the study 
group and 200 in the control group. FMCSA would develop the 
applications, agreements, and forms to be used by interested carriers 
and potential study and control group members.
    Eligibility requirements and procedural matters are discussed later 
in this notice.

VI. Proposed Eligibility Criteria To Participate

A. Motor Carriers
    Details of each requirement for motor carriers summarized below 
would be published if the pilot program is approved. Interested motor 
carriers would be required to:
     Volunteer during the announced application period.
     Be able to supply control group drivers in numbers 
matching the study group drivers to be employed.
     Agree to comply with all pilot program procedures.
     Agree to submit required pilot program data and reports.
     Purchase, install and operate an ELD in each truck used in 
the pilot program study.
     Monitor and report safety records of study and control 
group members as required by FMCSA.
     Have a good safety record, to include appropriate Safety 
Measurement System (SMS) status, registration, operating authority, 
financial responsibility, and other Agency records.
B. Under-21 Applicants (Study Group Drivers)
    Details of each requirement for study group applicants summarized 
below would be published if the pilot program is approved. Interested 
drivers would be required to:
     Volunteer.
     Be 18, 19, or 20 years of age as of the date they are 
approved by FMCSA for participation.

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     Have certification from a military service of training and 
experience in driving heavy vehicles while in military service, as 
described in Section IX of this notice.
     Agree to the release of specific information to FMCSA for 
purposes of the pilot.
     Agree to the use of ELDs.
     Have no disqualifications, suspensions, or license 
revocations within past 3 years; or be under any out-of-service order.
     Meet all FMCSR requirements (except age) for operating a 
CMV in interstate commerce.
     Operate primarily in interstate commerce if selected.
     Not transport passengers or hazardous materials, or 
operate double- or triple-trailer combinations or cargo tank vehicles 
while participating in the pilot, regardless of any license 
endorsements held.
C. Control Group Drivers
    Details of each requirement for control group drivers summarized 
below would be published if the pilot program is approved. Control 
group drivers would be required to:
     Volunteer.
     Possess a valid CDL.
     Be a full-time driver for participating motor carrier.
     Have no disqualifications, suspensions, or license 
revocations within past 3 years; or be under any out-of-service order.
     Agree to the use of ELDs.
     Agree to release of specified information for pilot 
program.
     Have training and experience comparable to study group 
drivers, regardless of the source.
     Be 21 to 26 years old at time of acceptance into the 
pilot.

VII. Application Process

A. Motor Carriers
     Contact the pilot project manager to arrange a brief no-
obligation preliminary interview via telephone.
     Complete and file with FMCSA the application for 
participation that is proposed to include identification information on 
the carrier; number of study/control group participants the carrier is 
willing to sponsor; nature of duties of study and control group 
drivers, to include reporting typical hours worked and miles traveled.
     Designate a pilot program coordinator.
B. Under-21 Applicants (Study Group Drivers)
     Obtain from commanding officer, or his or her official 
designee, a certification \3\ that the applicant had formal training 
and experience in the operation of heavy motor vehicles while in 
military service.
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    \3\ Form to be developed.
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     Contact approved participating carrier(s) to determine the 
availability of positions and their qualification requirements.
     Complete any documents prescribed by FMCSA for 
participation.
C. Control Group Drivers
     Participating carriers would solicit qualifying volunteer 
drivers from among existing employees in numbers equal to study group 
participants; and
     Complete any documents prescribed by FMCSA for 
participation.

VIII. Data Collection Plan

    Details of the data collection plan for this proposed pilot program 
would be developed based on comments to the docket and further review 
by analysts. The factors to be collected from each participating driver 
before and during the pilot program may include, but are not limited 
to, (1) details of any past CMV driving experience and demographic 
information, to assess qualification for participation in the study 
and/or control groups; (2) crashes (to be specified); (3) any traffic 
citations or warnings received while driving a CMV; (4) any violations 
or warnings listed on a CMV inspection report when the participating 
driver was operating the vehicle, and (5) detailed 24-hour records of 
activity to include CMV hours-of-service logs or electronic records. 
Some of this information normally should be automatically reported to 
FMCSA; however, due to possibility of delays in reporting and 
inaccurate data in some instances, the participating carrier would be 
asked to collect the information from all participating drivers and 
report it to FMCSA in a designated format. Other information that may 
be needed, such as VMT, would also be collected through the 
participating carrier. Every effort would be made to minimize the 
burden on the carrier in collecting and reporting this data.

IX. Armed Forces Heavy-Vehicle Driver Training Programs

    Four branches of the Department of Defense--the Army, Air Force, 
Navy, and Marine Corps--provide specific training dedicated to 
operating heavy-duty vehicles. There are three basic job training 
classifications with additional training for other types of heavy-duty 
specialty vehicles (e.g., gasoline haulers, construction vehicles, and 
military equipment transport oversize/overweight [non-track vehicles]).
    There are four core training programs for heavy vehicle operations, 
based on the occupational specialty code of the service member:
     Army--88M--Motor Transport Operator.
     Air Force--2T1--Vehicle Operations.
     Marine Corps--3531--Motor Vehicle Operator.
     Navy--EO--Equipment Operator.
    These four are not the only occupational specialty codes that the 
Agency may designate to participate in the pilot. Comments and data are 
requested for additional military occupational specialty codes or 
equivalent that should be included.
Army--88M Training
    The 88M Instructor Training Manual is 142 pages long. The student 
manual--STP 55-88M14-SM-TG Soldier's Manual and Trainer's Guide 88M, 
Motor Transport Operator--is 229 pages long and includes 4 levels of 
training. The 6-week core curriculum of the Army 88M course contains a 
total of 221 hours of training, including:
     Lecture--32 classroom hours.
     Practical application--road driving--189 hours.
    Motor Transport Operators are primarily responsible for operating 
wheeled vehicles to transport personnel and cargo. Motor Transport 
Operator duties include: Interior components/controls and indicators; 
basic vehicle control; driving vehicles over all types of roads and 
terrain, traveling alone or in convoys; braking, coupling, backing, and 
alley docking; adverse/tactical driving operations; pre-trip 
inspections; reading load plans; checking oil, fuel and other fluid 
levels, as well as tire pressure; operations in automatic and manual 
modes; crash prevention; safety check procedures; basic vehicle 
maintenance and repairs; transporting hazardous materials; and keeping 
mileage records.
Air Force--2T1--Vehicle Operations
    The Air Force Tractor Trailer Plan of Instruction (POI) is 226 
pages long. The minimum length of instruction for the basic school is 
84 hours, including 22 hours of classroom and 62 hours of hands-on 
activity, both alone on a training pad and on the road with an 
instructor. The core curriculum is based on the material in the 
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) CDL 
Manual--2005 edition (2014 revised). Students participating in the 
basic 2T1 curriculum learn general principles in

[[Page 56749]]

the classroom. Specialized training occurs at the installation using 
the Tractor Trailer Plan of Instruction. A minimum of 40 hours over-
the-road time is expected on each vehicle/trailer type.
    Topics covered in the Air Force Vehicle Operations course include: 
Overview of training and Federal requirements; Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards; tractor/trailer design; hazards and human factors 
relative to the environment where used; safety clothing and equipment; 
driving safely; pre- and post-trip vehicle inspection; basic vehicle 
control; shifting gears; managing space and speed; driving in 
mountains, fog, winter, very hot weather, and at night; railroad 
crossings; defensive awareness to avoid hazards and emergencies; skid 
control and recovery; what to do in case of a crash; fires; staying 
alert and fit to drive; hazardous materials--rules for all commercial 
drivers; preparing, inspecting, and transporting cargo safely; 
inspecting and driving with air brakes; driving combination vehicles 
safely; and coupling and uncoupling.
Marine Corps--3531--Motor Vehicle Operator
    The core curriculum of the Marine Corps 3531 course--TM 11240-15/3G 
contains three training areas:
     Lecture--24 classroom hours.
     Demonstration--classroom/training pad--35 hours.
     Practical application--road driving--198 hours.
    Instructional breakout includes:
     Demonstration: 35 hours.
     Guided discussion: 1.5 hours.
     Lecture: 24 hours.
     Performance examination: 62 hours.
     Practical application (individual): 198 hours.
     Written examination: 7 hours.
    Classroom instruction includes lectures, demonstration, and 
practice time for the specific tasks identified. Each classroom session 
includes written and performance evaluations to ensure students have 
mastered all of the learning objectives for the specialty proficiency. 
Training includes both simulators and actual vehicle operation. 
Practical training includes on-the-road and skills operations, ground 
guide procedures, and operating a vehicle with a towed load. Students 
practice their driving and backing, with and without a trailer. 
Instructors ride with the students as they operate on approved road 
routes. Specific training areas (pads) are set aside for the students 
to practice their backing skills and ground guide procedures safely.
    The Marine Corps training curriculum also includes emergency 
procedures and cargo loading.
Navy--EO--Equipment Operator
    The core curriculum of the USN Heavy Vehicle Operator (Truck 
Driver) (EO) course (53-3032.00) is designed to train Navy personnel 
how to operate passenger and cargo vehicles to rated capacity. They 
palletize, containerize, load and safely transport various types of 
cargo and demonstrate knowledge and skills for qualifying as a driver 
journeyman. The complete program covers topics including:

 Hazardous materials transportation
 Line haul planning
 Manual tractor-truck operations
 Vehicle Recovery Operations

    The course is taught over 160 hours including 30 hours classroom 
and 130 hours lab (behind the wheel). By completing this course, the 
Navy driver will be able to:
    1. Perform the duties of normal, non-combat conditions driving in 
accordance with the local state driver licensing agency's CDL driver 
handbook;
    2. Manage hazardous petroleum, oils and lubricants (POL) material 
required during line haul and worksite activities, to support normal, 
non-combat operations;
    3. Perform preventive maintenance on a non- or up-armored manual 
truck tractor with drop-neck trailer, consisting of pre-start, during-
operations, and after-operations equipment checks, to support normal, 
non-combat operations, in accordance with local State Driver License 
Agency CDL handbooks;
    4. Operate vehicle controls of a non- or up-armored manual truck-
tractor, to support normal, non-combat operations; and
    5. Be proficient with the components and controls of a drop-neck 
trailer relative to a detached/attached gooseneck and a coupled/
uncoupled trailer.
    Other topics covered within the Navy EO training program include:

 Development and maintenance of operational records
 Operation of high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles
 Weight distribution and load securement
 Loading bulk and container cargo
 Preventive maintenance
 Pre- and post- trip vehicle safety inspections

X. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposed pilot program would require participating motor 
carriers to collect, maintain, and report to FMCSA certain information 
about their employed/sponsored drivers who are participating in the 
pilot program. This would include identifying information and safety 
performance data for use in analyzing the drivers' safety history. The 
Agency would develop forms to promote uniformity in the data collected 
by the pilot carriers.
    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) 
prohibits agencies from conducting information collection (IC) 
activities until they analyze the need for the collection of 
information and how the collected data would be managed. Agencies must 
also analyze whether technology could be used to reduce the burden 
imposed on those providing the data. The Agency must estimate the time 
burden required to respond to the IC requirements, such as the time 
required to complete a particular form. The Agency submits its IC 
analysis and burden estimate to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) as a formal information collection request (ICR); the Agency 
cannot conduct the information collection until OMB approves the ICR.
    FMCSA asks for comment on the IC requirements of this proposal. The 
Agency's analysis of these comments would be used in devising the 
Agency's estimate of the IC burden of the pilot program. Comments can 
be submitted to the docket as outlined under ADDRESSES at the beginning 
of this notice. Specifically, the Agency asks for comment on: (1) How 
useful the information is and whether it can help FMCSA perform its 
functions better; (2) how the Agency can improve the quality of the 
information being collected; (3) the accuracy of FMCSA's estimate of 
the burden of this IC; and (4) how the Agency can minimize the burden 
of collection.
    Because this is a proposed pilot program in which certain aspects--
such as the content of forms and reports--have not been finalized, the 
Agency is not posting possible IC burden data at this time. If the 
pilot program is to be implemented, this information would be posted at 
a later date and additional comments would be taken.

XI. Removal From the Program

    FMCSA reserves the right to remove any motor carrier or driver from 
the pilot program for reasons including, but not limited to, failing to 
meet any of the requirements of the program.

XII. Request for Public Comments

    The following questions identify input desired by FMCSA. 
Instructions

[[Page 56750]]

for filing comments to the public docket are included earlier in this 
notice. Persons are encouraged to respond wherever possible, but 
comments are not limited to replies to these questions:
    1. Are any additional safeguards needed to ensure that the pilot 
program provides a level of safety equivalent to that without the age 
exemption?
    2. Would carriers be able to obtain enough volunteer drivers to 
serve in the control group?
    3. Do ``comparable levels of training and experience'' need to be 
defined more precisely? If so, what levels would you suggest?
    4. Are traffic violations, crashes, and inspection violations 
adequate to allow a comparison of safety records? If not, what other 
safety performance measures should be included?
    5. If drivers reach age 21 while in the study group, should they be 
removed from the pilot and replaced with a different driver meeting the 
eligibility criteria?
    6. Are the data collection efforts proposed so burdensome for 
carriers as to discourage their participation?
    7. Are there carriers currently using onboard monitoring on all 
their CMVs that are willing to participate in the study? Is onboard 
monitoring of pilot program drivers needed to assess their safety 
performance?

    Issued on: August 11, 2016.
T.F. Scott Darling, III,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-19948 Filed 8-19-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P