[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2318-2319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01261]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0002]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 11 
individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf 
individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

DATES: The exemptions were applicable on September 6, 2018. The 
exemptions expire on September 6, 2020.

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. 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-2016-0002, 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.

B. 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

    On November 14, 2018 FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for 11 individuals from the hearing 
standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in interstate 
commerce and requested comments from the public (83 FR 56905). The 
public comment period ended on December 14, 2018, and two comments were 
received.
    As stated in the previous notice, FMCSA has evaluated the 
eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing these 
exemptions would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater 
than, the level that would be achieved by complying with the current 
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing 
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive a CMV if that person first perceives a forced 
whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or 
without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric 
device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater 
than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a 
hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American 
National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5--1951.

[[Page 2319]]

    49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) was adopted in 1970, with a revision in 1971 
to allow drivers to be qualified under this standard while wearing a 
hearing aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 
1971).

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received two comments in this preceding. Kyle Guimarin agrees 
with the decision of renewing the 11 people, allowing them to drive a 
CMV in interstate commerce. Davis Benton also agrees with FMCSA's 
decision to renew the 11 people, exempting them from the hearing 
requirements required to operate a vehicle in interstate commerce.

IV. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the 11 renewal exemption applications 
and comments received, FMCSA announces its decision to exempt the 
following drivers from the hearing requirement in 49 CFR 391.41 
(b)(11).
    As of September 6, 2018, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 11 individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (83 FR 56905).

Pricilla Brackenridge, (IL)
Gary Cordano, (NV)
Renaldo Martinez, (TX)
Michael Smith, (CO)
David Chappelear, (TX)
Samuel Fennell, (OH)
Katrina Parker, (NJ)
Michael Sweet, (GA)
Mathias Conway, (MI)
Richard Hoots, (AR
D'Neille Smith, (OH)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2016-0002. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of September 6, 2018, and will expire on 
September 6, 2020.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid 
for two years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 
The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (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 
prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not 
be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 
31315.

    Issued on: January 30, 2019.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-01261 Filed 2-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P