[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12663-12665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06345]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-1999-6156; FMCSA-2000-7006; FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-
2002-12294; FMCSA-2002-12844; FMCSA-2004-17195; FMCSA-2004-18885; 
FMCSA-2004-19477; FMCSA-2006-26066; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-2008-0231; 
FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0287; FMCSA-2010-0327; 
FMCSA-2010-0354; FMCSA-2010-0385; FMCSA-2011-0366; FMCSA-2011-0380; 
FMCSA-2013-0030; FMCSA-2014-0004; FMCSA-2014-0010; FMCSA-2014-0299; 
FMCSA-2015-0351; FMCSA-2016-0028; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-0206]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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 71 
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 
requirement 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.

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-1999-6156; FMCSA-2000-7006; FMCSA-2000-
7363; FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-2002-12844; FMCSA-2004-17195; FMCSA-2004-
18885; FMCSA-2004-19477; FMCSA-2006-26066; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-2008-
0231; FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0287; FMCSA-2010-
0327; FMCSA-2010-0354; FMCSA-2010-0385; FMCSA-2011-0366; FMCSA-2011-
0380; FMCSA-2013-0030; FMCSA-2014-0004; FMCSA-2014-0010; FMCSA-2014-
0299; FMCSA-2015-0351; FMCSA-2016-0028; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-
0206, 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 February 6, 2019, FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for 71 individuals from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) to operate a CMV in interstate 
commerce and requested comments from the public (84 FR 2311). The 
public comment period ended on March 8, 2019, and no 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)(10).
    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.

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this preceding.

IV. Conclusion

    Based on its evaluation of the 71 renewal exemption applications 
and comments received, FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt the 
following drivers from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, the following 
groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of January 
and are discussed below. As of January 3, 2019, and in accordance with 
49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, the following 23 individuals have 
satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the 
vision requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (64 FR 
54948; 65 FR 159; 65 FR 45817; 65 FR 77066; 66 FR 66969; 67 FR 71610; 
69 FR 8260; 69 FR 17263; 69 FR 31447; 69 FR 53493; 69 FR 62742; 69 FR 
64810; 71 FR 19604; 71 FR 27033; 71 FR 62147; 71 FR 62148; 72 FR 185; 
73 FR 35194; 73 FR 35198; 73 FR 36954; 73 FR 36955; 73 FR 46973; 73 FR 
48275; 73 FR 54889; 73 FR 61922; 73 FR 61925; 73 FR 63047; 73 FR 74563; 
73 FR 74565; 73 FR 75806; 73 FR 75807; 75 FR 36779; 75 FR 44051; 75 FR 
47883; 75 FR 50799; 75 FR 59327; 75 FR 63257; 75 FR 64396; 75 FR 65057; 
75 FR 77590; 75 FR 77591; 75 FR 77949; 75 FR 77951; 75 FR 79081; 77 FR 
5874; 77 FR 17109; 77 FR 17117; 77 FR 27845; 77 FR 38384; 77 FR 46153; 
77 FR 60010; 77 FR 64582; 77 FR 64583; 77 FR 68202; 77 FR 70537; 77 FR 
74730; 78 FR 41975; 78 FR 56986; 79 FR 18392; 79 FR 21996; 79 FR 29498; 
79 FR 35220; 79 FR 38661; 79 FR 51643; 79 FR 56104; 79 FR 56117; 79 FR 
59348; 79 FR 64001; 79 FR 65759; 79 FR 73689; 80 FR 48411; 81 FR 17237; 
81 FR 28138; 81 FR 39320; 81 FR 59266; 81 FR 70253; 81 FR 71173; 81 FR 
74494; 81 FR 80161; 81 FR 81230; 81 FR 96165; 81 FR 96191):

Robert J. Ambrose (MA)
Nathan A. Buckles (IN)

[[Page 12664]]

David F. Cialdea (MA)
Robert J. Clarke (NY)
David R. Cox (OR)
Paul A. Gregerson (IA)
Victor B. Hawks (VA)
Jesse P. Jamison (TN)
Oscar Juarez (ID)
Mearl C. Kennedy (OH)
James W. Lappan (KS)
Joseph A. Leigh, Jr. (NC)
Bruce J. Lewis (RI)
John C. McLaughlin (SD)
Jack W. Murphy, Jr. (OH)
John C. Rodriguez (PA)
Jeffrey Sanders (NC)
Edward P. Schrader II (WA)
Randal J. Shabloski (PA)
Curtis L. Shannon (MN)
Julius Simmons, Jr. (SC)
Allen J. Stolz (WI)
Danny A. Wright (IN)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-1999-6156; FMCSA-
2000-7363; FMCSA-2004-17195; FMCSA-2004-18885; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-
2008-0231; FMCSA-2008-0292; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0327; FMCSA-
2011-0366; FMCSA-2011-0380; FMCSA-2013-0030; FMCSA-2014-0004; FMCSA-
2014-0010; FMCSA-2015-0351; FMCSA-2016-0028; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-
2016-0206. Their exemptions are applicable as of January 3, 2019, and 
will expire on January 3, 2021.
    As of January 9, 2019, 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 (71 FR 63379; 72 FR 1051; 73 FR 
78423; 75 FR 79083; 77 FR 74734; 79 FR 73686; 81 FR 96165):

David L. Cattoor (NV)
Arthur Dolengewicz (NY)
Terrence L. McKinney (TX)
Ellis T. McKneely (LA)
Ronald C. Morris (NV)
Steven M. Scholfield (KY)
David C. Stitt (KS)
Kevin L. Truxell (FL)
Bruce A. Walker (WI)
Lee A. Wiltjer (IL)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2006-26066. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of January 9, 2019, and will expire on 
January 9, 2021.
    As of January 10, 2019, 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 (75 FR 69737; 76 FR 1499; 77 FR 
74733; 79 FR 72756; 79 FR 73397; 80 FR 9304; 81 FR 96165):

Eric C. Hammer (MO)
Robert K. Ipock (NC)
Perry D. Jensen (WI)
Jesse L. Lichtenberger (PA)
James G. Pitchford (OH)
Frederick E. Schaub (IA)
Michael G. Somma (NY)
Jason E. Thomas (ND)
Richard L. Totels (TX)
Diane L. Wedebrand (IA)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2010-0287; FMCSA-
2014-0299. Their exemptions are applicable as of January 10, 2019, and 
will expire on January 10, 2021.
    As of January 12, 2019, 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 (65 FR 20245; 65 FR 57230; 67 FR 
67234; 69 FR 53493; 69 FR 62741; 69 FR 64742; 71 FR 62147; 71 FR 62148; 
73 FR 61925; 73 FR 74565; 75 FR 59327; 75 FR 66423; 75 FR 72863; 76 FR 
2190; 77 FR 68199; 77 FR 74273; 79 FR 73687; 81 FR 96165):

Timothy Bradford (TN)
Douglas K. Esp (MT)
Donald L. Hamrick (KS)
Gary L. Killian (NC)
Thomas L. Oglesby (GA)
Preston S. Salisbury (MT)
Kevin W. Schaffer (IL)
George A. Teti (FL)
David W. Ward (NC)
Ralph W. York (NM)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2000-7006; FMCSA-
2004-18885; FMCSA-2010-0354. Their exemptions are applicable as of 
January 12, 2019, and will expire on January 12, 2021.
    As of January 13, 2019, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following four 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 
46016; 67 FR 57267; 67 FR 71610; 69 FR 71098; 71 FR 63379; 72 FR 1050; 
72 FR 1054; 73 FR 78421; 75 FR 79079; 77 FR 76166; 79 FR 73687; 81 FR 
96165):

David S. Brumfield (KY)
Arthur A. Sappington (IN)
William H. Smith (AL)
Edward C. Williams (AL)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-
2002-12294; FMCSA-2006-26066. Their exemptions are applicable as of 
January 13, 2019, and will expire on January 13, 2021.
    As of January 14, 2019, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following three individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (69 FR 64806; 70 FR 2705; 72 FR 
1056; 73 FR 76439; 75 FR 79084; 77 FR 75496; 79 FR 74169; 81 FR 96165): 
Christopher L. Depuy (OH); Larry J. Folkerts (IA); and Francis M. 
McMullin (PA).
    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2004-19477. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of January 14, 2019, and will expire on 
January 14, 2021.
    As of January 17, 2019, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following four individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (67 FR 68719; 68 FR 2629; 69 FR 
71100; 72 FR 1053; 73 FR 76440; 75 FR 80887; 77 FR 76167; 79 FR 74168; 
81 FR 96165):

Howard F. Breitkreutz (MN)
John E. Evenson (WI)
Craig M. Landry (LA)
Kenneth E. Vigue, Jr. (WA)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2002-12844. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of January 17, 2019, and will expire on 
January 17, 2021.
    As of January 31, 2019, 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 (69 FR 17263; 69 FR 31447; 70 FR 
44946; 71 FR 43557; 73 FR 42403; 75 FR 38602; 75 FR 72863; 75 FR 77492; 
76 FR 2190; 76 FR 5425; 78 FR 800; 80 FR 603; 81 FR 96165):

Gary S. Alvarez (MA)
Brett K. Hasty (GA)
Garry D. Layton (TX)
Rocky D. Moorhead (NM)
Myron A. Smith (MN)
Jose M. Suarez (TX)
Richard L. Zacher (OR)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2004-17195; 
FMCSA-2010-0354; FMCSA-2010-0385. Their exemptions are applicable as of 
January 31, 2019, and will expire on January 31, 2021.
    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;

[[Page 12665]]

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: March 22, 2019.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-06345 Filed 4-1-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P