[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46311-46313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17693]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0154; FMCSA-2013-0124; FMCSA-2014-0383; FMCSA-
2014-0385; FMCSA-2014-0386; FMCSA-2018-0138]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

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

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

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for eight 
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 August 13, 2021. The exemptions 
expire on August 13, 2023. Comments must be received on or before 
September 17, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0154, Docket No. FMCSA-
2013-0124, Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0383, Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0385, 
Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0386, or Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0138 using any of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/, 
insert the docket number, FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-
0383, FMCSA-2014-0385, FMCSA-2014-0386, or FMCSA-2018-0138 in the 
keyword box, and click ``Search.'' Next, sort the results by ``Posted 
(Newer-Older),'' choose the first notice listed, and click on the 
``Comment'' button. 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 20590-0001 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, 
DOT, 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. FMCSA-2012-0154, Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0124, Docket 
No. FMCSA-2014-0383, Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0385, Docket No. FMCSA-2014-
0386, or Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0138), 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 www.regulations.gov/, insert 
the docket number, FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-

[[Page 46312]]

2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-0383, FMCSA-2014-0385, FMCSA-2014-0386, or FMCSA-
2018-0138 in the keyword box, and click ``Search.'' Next, sort the 
results by ``Posted (Newer-Older),'' choose the first notice listed, 
click the ``Comment'' 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 Comments

    To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 
number, FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-0383, FMCSA-2014-
0385, FMCSA-2014-0386, or FMCSA-2018-0138 in the keyword box, and click 
``Search.'' Next, sort the results by ``Posted (Newer-Older),'' choose 
the first notice listed, and click ``Browse Comments.'' 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 20590-0001, 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 regulatory 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 eight 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 
eight applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an 
exemption from the hearing requirement. The eight 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 August 13, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315(b), the following eight individuals have satisfied the 
renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing 
requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers:

Timothy Finley (CA)
Frankye Helbig (FL)
William Jones (MN)
Tommy Lynn, Jr. (AZ)
David Presley (TX)
Joseph Strassburg (SD)
Jason Swearington (TX)
Holly Cameron Wright (NC)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-
2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-0383, FMCSA-2014-0385, FMCSA-2014-0386, or FMCSA-
2018-0138. Their exemptions are applicable as of August 13, 2021 and 
will expire on August 13, 2023.

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; and (2) report all citations and convictions for 
disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR 383 and 49 CFR 391 to FMCSA; and 
(3) each driver prohibited from operating a motorcoach or bus with 
passengers in 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

[[Page 46313]]

regulation that conflicts with this exemption with respect to a person 
operating under the exemption.

VII. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the eight 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. 2021-17693 Filed 8-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P