[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56143-56146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24552]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-2000-7165; FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-
2002-12294; FMCSA-2004-18885; FMCSA-2008-0174; FMCSA-2008-0231; FMCSA-
2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2010-0114; FMCSA-
2010-0161; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2011-0276; FMCSA-2012-0160; FMCSA-
2012-0214; FMCSA-2012-0279; FMCSA-2012-0280; FMCSA-2013-0169; FMCSA-
2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0011; FMCSA-
2014-0296; FMCSA-2014-0298; FMCSA-2015-0344; FMCSA-2016-0025; FMCSA-
2016-0027; FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-0207; FMCSA-
2016-0208; FMCSA-2016-0210; FMCSA-2016-0212]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

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

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 67 
individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to 
operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision 
requirements in one eye.

DATES: Each group of renewed exemptions were applicable on the dates 
stated in the discussions below and will expire on the dates stated in 
the discussions below. Comments must be received on or before December 
10, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-2000-7165; 
FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-2004-18885; FMCSA-2008-0174; 
FMCSA-2008-0231; FMCSA-2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0082; 
FMCSA-2010-0114; FMCSA-2010-0161; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2011-0276; 
FMCSA-2012-0160; FMCSA-2012-0214; FMCSA-2012-0279; FMCSA-2012-0280; 
FMCSA-2013-0169; FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0007; 
FMCSA-2014-0011; FMCSA-2014-0296; FMCSA-2014-0298; FMCSA-2015-0344; 
FMCSA-2016-0025; FMCSA-2016-0027; FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; 
FMCSA-2016-0207; FMCSA-2016-0208; FMCSA-2016-0210; FMCSA-2016-0212 
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., 
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments.

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 W64-224, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have 
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice (Docket No. FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-2000-7165; FMCSA-2000-7363; 
FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-2004-18885; FMCSA-2008-0174; FMCSA-2008-0231; 
FMCSA-2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2010-0114; 
FMCSA-2010-0161; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2011-0276; FMCSA-2012-0160; 
FMCSA-2012-0214; FMCSA-2012-0279; FMCSA-2012-0280; FMCSA-2013-0169; 
FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0011; 
FMCSA-2014-0296; FMCSA-2014-0298; FMCSA-2015-0344; FMCSA-2016-0025; 
FMCSA-2016-0027; FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-0207; 
FMCSA-2016-0208; FMCSA-2016-0210; FMCSA-2016-0212), indicate the 
specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and 
provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. 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, 
put the docket number, FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-2000-7165; FMCSA-2000-
7363; FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-2004-18885; FMCSA-2008-0174; FMCSA-2008-
0231; FMCSA-2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2010-
0114; FMCSA-2010-0161; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2011-0276; FMCSA-2012-
0160; FMCSA-2012-0214; FMCSA-2012-0279; FMCSA-2012-0280; FMCSA-2013-
0169; FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-
0011; FMCSA-2014-0296; FMCSA-2014-0298; FMCSA-2015-0344; FMCSA-2016-
0025; FMCSA-2016-0027; FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-
0207; FMCSA-2016-0208; FMCSA-2016-0210; FMCSA-2016-0212, 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 on 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.

[[Page 56144]]

    FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period.

B. Viewing Documents and Comments

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Insert the docket number, FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-2000-7165; FMCSA-2000-
7363; FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-2004-18885; FMCSA-2008-0174; FMCSA-2008-
0231; FMCSA-2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2010-
0114; FMCSA-2010-0161; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2011-0276; FMCSA-2012-
0160; FMCSA-2012-0214; FMCSA-2012-0279; FMCSA-2012-0280; FMCSA-2013-
0169; FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-
0011; FMCSA-2014-0296; FMCSA-2014-0298; FMCSA-2015-0344; FMCSA-2016-
0025; FMCSA-2016-0027; FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-
0207; FMCSA-2016-0208; FMCSA-2016-0210; FMCSA-2016-0212, 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., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

C. 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.

II. Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
for five years if it finds that 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 five-year period. FMCSA 
grants exemptions from the FMCSRs for a two-year period to align with 
the maximum duration of a driver's medical certification.
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding vision 
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive a CMV if that person has distant visual acuity of at 
least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual 
acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with 
corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of a least 20/40 (Snellen) 
in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at 
least 70[deg] in the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability 
to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing red, 
green, and amber.
    The 67 individuals listed in this notice have requested renewal of 
their exemptions from the vision standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), in 
accordance with FMCSA procedures. Accordingly, FMCSA has evaluated 
these applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend 
each exemption for a renewable two-year period.

III. Request for Comments

    Interested parties or organizations possessing information that 
would otherwise show that any, or all, of these drivers are not 
currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately 
notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted 
and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption 
would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 
31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the 
exemption of a driver.

IV. Basis for Renewing Exemptions

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no 
longer than five years from its approval date and may be renewed upon 
application. FMCSA grants exemptions from the vision standard for a 
two-year period to align with the maximum duration of a driver's 
medical certification. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, 
each of the 67 applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for 
obtaining an exemption from the vision standard (see 63 FR 66227; 64 FR 
16520; 65 FR 33406; 65 FR 45817; 65 FR 57234; 65 FR 77066; 67 FR 46016; 
67 FR 57266; 67 FR 57627; 67 FR 71610; 69 FR 51346; 69 FR 52741; 69 FR 
53493; 69 FR 62742; 69 FR 64810; 71 FR 50970; 71 FR 53489; 71 FR 62148; 
71 FR 66217; 73 FR 38497; 73 FR 46973; 73 FR 48273; 73 FR 51336; 73 FR 
51689; 73 FR 54888; 73 FR 61922; 73 FR 61925; 73 FR 63047; 73 FR 74565; 
73 FR 75807; 75 FR 25918; 75 FR 34209; 75 FR 39725; 75 FR 39729; 75 FR 
44051; 75 FR 47883; 75 FR 47886; 75 FR 52062; 75 FR 52063; 75 FR 61833; 
75 FR 63257; 75 FR 64396; 75 FR 77949; 76 FR 67248; 76 FR 79761; 77 FR 
36338; 77 FR 38381; 77 FR 46153; 77 FR 46793; 77 FR 51846; 77 FR 52388; 
77 FR 52389; 77 FR 56262; 77 FR 59245; 77 FR 60008; 77 FR 60010; 77 FR 
64582; 77 FR 64839; 77 FR 68202; 77 FR 71671; 77 FR 75494; 78 FR 64274; 
78 FR 76705; 78 FR 77778; 79 FR 1908; 79 FR 14333; 79 FR 14571; 79 FR 
28588; 79 FR 35220; 79 FR 38659; 79 FR 41740; 79 FR 46153; 79 FR 46300; 
79 FR 52388; 79 FR 53514; 79 FR 56099; 79 FR 56104; 79 FR 58856; 79 FR 
65759; 79 FR 65760; 79 FR 69985; 79 FR 70928; 79 FR 72754; 79 FR 73393; 
80 FR 8927; 80 FR 76345; 81 FR 21647; 81 FR 26305; 81 FR 52514; 81 FR 
59266; 81 FR 66724; 81 FR 68098; 81 FR 70248; 81 FR 70253; 81 FR 71173; 
81 FR 72664; 81 FR 74494; 81 FR 80161; 81 FR 81230; 81 FR 86063; 81 FR 
90046; 81 FR 90050; 81 FR 94013; 81 FR 96180; 81 FR 96191; 82 FR 
12683). They have submitted evidence showing that the vision in the 
better eye continues to meet the requirement specified at 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10) and that the vision impairment is stable. In addition, a 
review of each record of safety while driving with the respective 
vision deficiencies over the past two years indicates each applicant 
continues to meet the vision exemption requirements. These factors 
provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver's ability to 
continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA 
concludes that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a 
period of two years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to 
that existing without the exemption.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, the following 
groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of December 
and are discussed below. As of December 3, 2018, and in accordance with 
49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, the following 38 individuals have 
satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the 
vision requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (63 FR 
66227; 64 FR 16520; 65 FR 33406; 65 FR 57234; 67 FR 46016; 67 FR 57266; 
67 FR 57627; 69 FR 51346; 69 FR 52741; 71 FR 50970; 71 FR 53489; 73 FR 
38497; 73 FR 46973; 73 FR 48273; 73 FR 51336; 73 FR 51689; 73 FR 54888; 
73 FR 63047; 73 FR 75807; 75 FR 25918; 75 FR 34209; 75 FR 39725; 75 FR 
39729; 75 FR 44051; 75 FR 47883; 75 FR 47886; 75 FR 52062; 75 FR 52063; 
75 FR 61833; 75 FR 63257; 75 FR 64396; 76 FR 67248; 76 FR 79761; 77 FR 
36338; 77 FR 38381; 77 FR 46153; 77 FR 46793; 77 FR 51846; 77 FR 52388; 
77 FR 52389; 77 FR 56262; 77 FR 59245; 77 FR 60008; 77 FR 60010; 77 FR 
64582;

[[Page 56145]]

77 FR 71671; 78 FR 64274; 78 FR 76705; 78 FR 77778; 79 FR 1908; 79 FR 
14333; 79 FR 14571; 79 FR 28588; 79 FR 35220; 79 FR 38659; 79 FR 41740; 
79 FR 46153; 79 FR 46300; 79 FR 52388; 79 FR 53514; 79 FR 56099; 79 FR 
56104; 79 FR 58856; 79 FR 65760; 79 FR 70928; 79 FR 72754; 80 FR 76345; 
81 FR 21647; 81 FR 26305; 81 FR 52514; 81 FR 59266; 81 FR 66724; 81 FR 
68098; 81 FR 70248; 81 FR 70253; 81 FR 71173; 81 FR 72664; 81 FR 74494; 
81 FR 80161; 81 FR 81230; 81 FR 90046; 81 FR 90050; 81 FR 94013; 81 FR 
96180; 81 FR 96191):

Gary R. Andersen (NE)
Theodore N. Belcher (VA)
Daniel S. Billig (MN)
Thomas A. Black (MO)
Robert S. Bowen (GA)
Brian E. Broux (CA)
John M. Brown (KY)
Tracy L. Butcher (VA)
Jonathan E. Carriaga (NM)
Irvin L. Eaddy (SC)
Terry J. Edwards (MO)
Stephen R. Ehlenburg (IL)
Frank J. Faria (CA)
Christopher K. Foot (NV)
Claudia E. Gerez-Betancourt (TX)
Billy R. Gibbs (MD)
Samuel R. Graziano (PA)
Tyrane Harper (AL)
Christopher M. Keen (KS)
Theodore Kirby (MD)
Johnny Montemayor (TX)
Derrick P. Moore (MN)
Richard L. Moores (CO)
Aaron F. Naylor (PA)
Billy R. Oguynn (AL)
Ronald W. Patten (ME)
Benny D. Patterson (OH)
Alexander L. Resh (PA)
David T. Rueckert (WA)
Benito Saldana (TX)
Daniel Salinas (OR)
Kenneth D. Sisk (NC)
Sherman L. Taylor (FL)
Richard T. Traigle (LA)
Melvin V. Van Meter (PA)
Emejildo M. Vargas (NH)
Christopher M. Vincent (NC)
Wilbert Walden (NC)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-
2000-7165; FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-2008-0174; FMCSA-2008-0231; FMCSA-
2008-0266; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2010-0114; FMCSA-2010-0161; FMCSA-
2010-0187; FMCSA-2011-0276; FMCSA-2012-0160; FMCSA-2012-0214; FMCSA-
2012-0279; FMCSA-2013-0169; FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-
2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0011; FMCSA-2014-0296; FMCSA-2015-0344; FMCSA-
2016-0025; FMCSA-2016-0027; FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-
2016-0207; FMCSA-2016-0208; FMCSA-2016-0210. Their exemptions are 
applicable as of December 3, 2018, and will expire on December 3, 2020.
    As of December 8, 2018, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following seven individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (65 FR 45817; 65 FR 77066; 67 FR 
71610; 69 FR 53493; 69 FR 62742; 69 FR 64810; 71 FR 62148; 71 FR 66217; 
73 FR 61922; 73 FR 61925; 73 FR 74565; 75 FR 77949; 77 FR 68202; 79 FR 
65759; 81 FR 96180):

Ronald W. Garner (WA)
Wayne R. Mantela (KY)
Carl M. McIntire (OH)
Bernice R. Parnell (NC)
Patrick W. Shea (MA)
Roy F. Varnado, Jr. (LA)
Michael J. Welle (MN)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-
2004-18885; FMCSA-2008-0292. Their exemptions are applicable as of 
December 8, 2018, and will expire on December 8, 2020.
    As of December 20, 2018, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following five individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (77 FR 64839; 77 FR 75494; 79 FR 
73393; 81 FR 96180):

Ronald J. Bergman (OH)
Noah E. Bowen (OH)
Lawrence D. Malecha (MN)
Jerry M. Puckett (OH)
Emin Toric (GA)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2012-0280. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of December 20, 2018, and will expire on 
December 20, 2020.
    As of December 25, 2018, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following seven individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (79 FR 69985; 80 FR 8927; 81 FR 
96180):

Thurman T. Clayton (LA)
Tig G. Cornell (ID)
Jon R. Davidson (CO)
Edwin T. Donaldson (PA)
Keith C. Lendt (MN)
Joseph McTear (TX)
Daniel R. Thompson (PA)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2014-0298. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of December 25, 2018, and will expire on 
December 25, 2020.
    As of December 30, 2018, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following ten individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (81 FR 86063; 82 FR 96180):

Brian T. Castoldi (CT)
Willie George (NY)
David E. Goff (MA)
Michal Golebiowski (IL)
Loyd F. Hovey (NY)
George T. Huffman (IL)
Julio Rivera (FL)
Willie J. Smith (TX)
John D. Stork (IL)
James R. Wagner (IL)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2016-0212. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of December 30, 2018, and will expire on 
December 30, 2020.

V. Conditions and Requirements

    The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: 
(1) Each driver must undergo an annual physical examination (a) by an 
ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the 
better eye continues to meet the requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), 
and (b) by a certified Medical Examiner, as defined by 49 CFR 390.5, 
who attests that the driver is otherwise physically qualified under 49 
CFR 391.41; (2) each driver must provide a copy of the 
ophthalmologist's or optometrist's report to the Medical Examiner at 
the time of the annual medical examination; and (3) each driver must 
provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for 
retention in the driver's qualification file or keep a copy of his/her 
driver's qualification if he/her is self- employed. The driver must 
also have a copy of the exemption when driving, for presentation to a 
duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. The 
exemption will be rescinded if: (1) The person fails to comply with the 
terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted 
in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; 
or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the 
goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315.

VI. Preemption

    During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall 
enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with 
respect to a person operating under the exemption.

[[Page 56146]]

VI. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the 67 exemption applications, FMCSA 
renews the exemptions of the aforementioned drivers from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited 
above. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each exemption 
will be valid for two years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA.

    Issued on: November 1, 2018.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-24552 Filed 11-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P