[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62918-62919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22412]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0032]


Commercial Driver's License: Daimler; Application for Exemption; 
Daimler Truck North America LLC (Daimler)

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

ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that Daimler Truck North America LLC (Daimler) 
has requested an exemption for one commercial motor vehicle (CMV) 
driver from the requirement to hold a United States commercial driver's 
license (CDL). Daimler requests an exemption for Dr. Andreas Gorbach, 
Executive Vice President and Board of Management Member for Daimler. 
Dr. Gorbach holds a valid German CDL. Daimler believes the requirements 
for a German commercial license ensure that operation under the 
exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or 
greater than the level that would be obtained in the absence of the 
exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for 
exemption.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 16, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Number FMCSA-2012-0032 by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. See the 
Public Participation and Request for Comments section below for further 
information.
     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 or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number 
(FMCSA-2012-0032) for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments 
received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy heading 
below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit Room W12-140 
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, 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.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its exemption 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 
https://www.transportation.gov/privacy, the comments are searchable by 
the name of the submitter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Bernadette Walker, Driver and 
Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle 
Safety Standards, FMCSA, at (202) 385-2415 or by email at 
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, contact Dockets Operations at (202) 
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and 
related materials.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice (FMCSA-2012-0032), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for 
suggestions or recommendations. 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 the Agency can contact you if it has questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to www.regulations.gov and put 
the docket number (``FMCSA-2012-0032'') 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.

II. Legal Basis

    FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b) to grant 
exemptions from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). 
FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal 
Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an 
opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, 
including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must 
provide an opportunity for public comment on the request.
    The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted 
and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a 
level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The Agency must 
publish its decision in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)) with 
the reasons for denying or granting the application and, if granted, 
the name of the person or class of persons receiving the exemption and 
the regulatory provision from which the exemption is granted. The 
notice must specify the effective period and explain the terms and 
conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 
381.300(b)).

III. Applicant's Request

    Daimler has applied for an exemption for Dr. Andreas Gorbach from 
49 CFR 383.23, which prescribes licensing requirements for drivers 
operating CMVs in interstate or intrastate commerce. Dr. Gorbach is 
unable to obtain a CDL due to his lack of residency in the United 
States. The exemption would enable Dr. Andreas Gorbach to operate CMVs 
in interstate or intrastate commerce to support Daimler field tests 
designed to meet future vehicle safety and environmental requirements. 
Dr. Gorbach holds a valid German commercial license, and Daimler 
believes the requirements for that license ensure that the same level 
of safety will be met or exceeded. According to Daimler, Dr. Gorbach 
will be accompanied at all times by an experienced Daimler CDL holder 
who is familiar with the routes to be traveled in

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case of any unforeseen circumstance. Daimler requests that the 
exemption cover the maximum allowable duration of five years.
    A copy of Daimler's application for exemption is available for 
review in the docket for this notice.

IV. Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), FMCSA requests public 
comment from all interested persons on Daimler's application for an 
exemption from the requirement in 49 CFR 383. All comments received 
before the close of business on the comment closing date indicated at 
the beginning of this notice will be considered and will be available 
for examination in the docket at the location listed under the 
Addresses section of this notice. Comments received after the comment 
closing date will be filed in the public docket and will be considered 
to the extent practicable.
    In addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in 
the public docket, relevant information that becomes available after 
the comment closing date. Interested persons should continue to examine 
the public docket for new material.

Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2022-22412 Filed 10-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P