[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12881-12886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04383]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0385]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

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

ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 28 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 April 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0385 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 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., 
e.t., 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

[[Page 12882]]

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., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want 
acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement 
page that appears after submitting comments on-line.
    Privacy Act: 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: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, [email protected], FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-113, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. 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 28 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 
statute.

II. Qualifications of Applicants

Larry A. Acton

    Mr. Acton, 58, has had ITDM since 2014. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Acton understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Acton meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Kansas.

Matthew M. Bauer

    Mr. Bauer, 29, has had ITDM since 2016. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Bauer understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Bauer meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class E CDL from Michigan.

Gerald T. Booth

    Mr. Booth, 69, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Booth understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Booth meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New York.

Jeremy D. Carpenter

    Mr. Carpenter, 28, has had ITDM since 2014. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Carpenter understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Carpenter meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Alabama.

David L. Carraway

    Mr. Carraway, 60, has had ITDM since 2015. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Carraway understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Carraway meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from North Carolina.

Mitchell S. Crites

    Mr. Crites, 21, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Crites understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Crites meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio.

Martin K. Dennis

    Mr. Dennis, 49, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting

[[Page 12883]]

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. Dennis understands diabetes management and 
monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is 
able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Dennis meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him 
in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds an operator's license from Pennsylvania.

Ryan E. Dickinson

    Mr. Dickinson, 37, has had ITDM since 2016. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Dickinson understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Dickinson meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New York.

John T. Edmiston

    Mr. Edmiston, 41, has had ITDM since 2002. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Edmiston understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Edmiston meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Texas.

Malcolm C. Ferriell

    Mr. Ferriell, 66, has had ITDM since 2016. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Ferriell understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Ferriell meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Indiana.

Saul Gates, III

    Mr. Gates, 59, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Gates understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Gates meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from 
Texas.

Paul S. Hare

    Mr. Hare, 46, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2016 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. Hare understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hare meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him 
in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds an operator's license from Virginia.

Jimmie E. Johnson

    Mr. Johnson, 65, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Johnson understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Johnson meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Indiana.

Ronald A. Karr

    Mr. Karr, 62, has had ITDM since 2016. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2016 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. Karr understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Karr meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him 
in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class A CDL from South Dakota.

David A. Morrill

    Mr. Morrill, 68, has had ITDM since 2014. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Morrill understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Morrill meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist

[[Page 12884]]

examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Maine.

Parker L. Pearce

    Mr. Pearce, 27, has had ITDM since 1998. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Pearce understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Pearce meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Texas.

Raymond L. Ramsey

    Mr. Ramsey, 59, has had ITDM since 2000. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Ramsey understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Ramsey meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New 
Hampshire.

Ronald A. Routh

    Mr. Routh, 67, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Routh understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Routh meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Oklahoma.

Sean R. Shakespeare

    Mr. Shakespeare, 23, has had ITDM since 2000. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Shakespeare understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Shakespeare meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Nevada.

Ryan B. Silva

    Mr. Silva, 27, has had ITDM since 2001. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Silva understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Silva meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from 
Massachusetts.

Kent A. Smith

    Mr. Smith, 59, has had ITDM since 2015. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Smith understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Smith meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Kansas.

Zachary C. Smith

    Mr. Smith, 23, has had ITDM since 2016. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. [Name] understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Smith meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Montana.

Jennifer S. Starr

    Ms. Starr, 50, has had ITDM since 2014. Her endocrinologist 
examined her in 2016 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 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
Her endocrinologist certifies that Ms. Starr understands diabetes 
management and monitoring has stable control of her diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Ms. Starr meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Her 
ophthalmologist examined her in 2016 and certified that she has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. She holds a Class A CDL from 
Oregon.

Benjamin T. Weinheimer, Jr.

    Mr. Weinheimer, 23, has had ITDM since 1995. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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)

[[Page 12885]]

severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His endocrinologist 
certifies that Mr. Weinheimer understands diabetes management and 
monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is 
able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Weinheimer meets the requirements of 
the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2016 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Texas.

Walter D. West

    Mr. West, 59, has had ITDM since 1998. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2016 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. West understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. West meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him 
in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Missouri.

John K. Windler

    Mr. Windler, 62, has had ITDM since 2016. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2016 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. Windler understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Windler meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Indiana.

Kathy A. Wofford

    Ms. Wofford, 38, has had ITDM since 2001. Her endocrinologist 
examined her in 2016 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 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
Her endocrinologist certifies that Ms. Wofford understands diabetes 
management and monitoring has stable control of her diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Ms. Wofford meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Her 
optometrist examined her in 2017 and certified that she does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. She holds a Class B CDL from Georgia.

Shawn L. Wood

    Mr. Wood, 44, has had ITDM since 2014. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2016 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 standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him 
in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Colorado.

III. 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 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.

IV. Submitting Comments

    You may submit your comments and material online or 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 that FMCSA 
can contact you if there are questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and 
in the search box insert the docket number FMCSA-2016-0385 and click 
the search button. When the new screen appears, click on the blue 
``Comment Now!'' button on the right hand side of the page. On the new 
page, enter information required including the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. 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.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period. FMCSA may issue a final

[[Page 12886]]

determination at any time after the close of the comment period.

V. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this 
preamble, go to http://www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert 
the docket number FMCSA-2016-0385 and click ``Search.'' Next, click 
``Open Docket Folder'' and you will find all documents and comments 
related to this notice.

    Issued on: February 28, 2017
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-04383 Filed 3-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P