[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73591-73593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25357]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0102; FMCSA-2014-0104; FMCSA-2016-0002; FMCSA-
2017-0057; FMCSA-2017-0061; FMCSA-2018-0135]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

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 nine 
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 are applicable on November 30, 2020. The 
exemptions expire on November 30, 2022. Comments must be received on or 
before December 18, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0102, Docket No. FMCSA-
2014-0104, Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0002, Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0057, 
Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0061, or Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0135 using any of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Dockets Operations; 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: (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 Dockets Operations, (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. Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0102, Docket No. FMCSA-2014-

[[Page 73592]]

0104, Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0002, Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0057, Docket 
No. FMCSA-2017-0061, or Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0135), 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-2014-0102, FMCSA-2014-0104, FMCSA-2016-
0002, FMCSA-2017-0057, FMCSA-2017-0061, or FMCSA-2018-0135, 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.
    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-2014-0102, FMCSA-2014-0104, FMCSA-2016-
0002, FMCSA-2017-0057, FMCSA-2017-0061, or FMCSA-2018-0135, 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 
Dockets Operations 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. To 
be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or 
(202) 366-9826 before visiting Dockets Operations.

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.transportation.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the FMCSRs for no longer than a 5-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 5-year period. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the 
FMCSRs for a 2-year period to align with the maximum duration of a 
driver's medical certification.
    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.
    This standard was adopted in 1970 and was revised 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).
    The nine individuals listed in this notice have requested renewal 
of their exemptions from the hearing standard in Sec.  391.41(b)(11), 
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 2-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(b), FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the 
exemption of a driver.

IV. Basis for Renewing Exemptions

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), each of the 
nine applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an 
exemption from the hearing requirement. The nine drivers in this notice 
remain in good standing with the Agency. In addition, for Commercial 
Driver's License (CDL) holders, the Commercial Driver's License 
Information System and the Motor Carrier Management Information System 
are searched for crash and violation data. For non-CDL holders, the 
Agency reviews the driving records from the State Driver's Licensing 
Agency. These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each 
driver's ability to continue to safely operate a CMV in interstate 
commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for 
each of these drivers for a period of 2 years is likely to achieve a 
level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption.
    As of November 30, 2020, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315(b), the following nine individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers:

Michael Arwood (TN)
Christian DeNight (FL)
James Dignan (IL)
Michael Dohanish (OH)
Bruce Dunn (LA)
Scott Perdue (GA)
Albert Pizana (CA)
Adalberto Rodriguez (NY)
Michael Smith (CO)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2014-0102, FMCSA-
2014-0104, FMCSA-2016-0002, FMCSA-2017-0057, FMCSA-2017-0061, or FMCSA-
2018-0135. Their exemptions are applicable as of November 30, 2020, and 
will expire on November 30, 2022.

V. Conditions and Requirements

    The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: 
(1) Each driver must report any crashes or accidents as defined in 
Sec.  390.5; (2) report all citations and convictions for disqualifying 
offenses under 49 CFR 383 and 49 CFR 391 to FMCSA; and (3) each driver 
is prohibited from operating a motorcoach or bus with passengers in

[[Page 73593]]

interstate commerce. The driver must also have a copy of the exemption 
when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or 
local enforcement official. In addition, the exemption does not exempt 
the individual from meeting the applicable CDL testing requirements. 
Each exemption will be valid for 2 years unless rescinded earlier by 
FMCSA. 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(b).

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.

VII. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the nine exemption applications, FMCSA 
renews the exemptions of the aforementioned drivers from the hearing 
requirement in Sec.  391.41(b)(11). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 
31136(e) and 31315(b), each exemption will be valid for two years 
unless revoked earlier by FMCSA.

Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2020-25357 Filed 11-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P