[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16808-16810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06378]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2020-0191]
Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application
for Exemption Renewal From Loomis Armored US, LLC
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of application for renewal of exemption; request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA requests public comment on an application from Loomis
Armored US, LLC (Loomis), seeking renewal of a 5-year exemption that
would allow Loomis to continue operating armored vehicles with welded-
shut cab doors and the addition of two doors behind the cab. FMCSA is
required by statute to publish a notice explaining each exemption
request. FMCSA reviews the application, safety analyses, and public
comments submitted and may grant or deny the exemption. Therefore, this
notice should not be construed as a preliminary decision on the matter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 4, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA-
2020-0191 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, W58-213, West Building,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W58-
213, West Building, 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-2020-0191) 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 Act heading
below.
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, including any personal information the commenter
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records
notice DOT/ALL-14 FDMS (Federal Docket Management System (FDMS)), which
can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices. The comments are posted without
edit and are searchable by the name of the submitter.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jose Cestero, Mechanical Engineer,
Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division, Office of Carrier, Driver,
and Vehicle Safety, FMCSA; (202) 366-5541; [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.
A. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
notice (FMCSA-2020-0191), 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
[[Page 16809]]
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 https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2020-0191/document, click on this notice, click
``Comment,'' and type your comment into the text box on the following
screen.
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.
FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the
comment period. Comments received after the comment closing date will
be filed in the public docket and will be considered to the extent
practicable.
B. Confidential Business Information (CBI)
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure.
If your comments responsive to the notice contain commercial or
financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you
actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to the
notice, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission that
constitutes CBI as ``PROPIN'' to indicate it contains proprietary
information. FMCSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential
under the Freedom of Information Act, and they will not be placed in
the public docket of the notice. Submissions containing CBI should be
sent to Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Evaluation Division, Office of
Policy, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or
via email at [email protected]. At this time, you need not send a
duplicate hardcopy of your electronic CBI submissions to FMCSA
headquarters. Any comments FMCSA receives not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this notice.
C. Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this
preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, insert FMCSA-2021-0191 in the keyword box, select
the document tab and choose the document to review. To view comments,
click this notice, then click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have
access to the internet, you may view the docket by visiting Dockets
Operations in room W58-213 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.
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 the applicant's safety analysis. The Agency must provide an
opportunity for public comment on the request.
The Agency reviews the application, 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 absent such exemption, pursuant to the
standard set forth in 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1). The Agency must publish
its decision in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If granted,
the notice will identify the regulatory provision from which the
applicant will be exempt, the effective period, and all terms and
conditions of the exemption (49 CFR 381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is
denied, the notice will explain the reason for the denial (49 CFR
381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
III. Applicant's Request
Current Regulatory Requirements
Section 393.203(a) of the FMCSRs requires that (1) cab compartment
doors or door parts used as an entrance or exit shall not be missing or
broken; (2) doors shall not sag so that they cannot be properly opened
or closed; and (3) no door shall be wired shut or otherwise secured in
the closed position so that it cannot be readily opened. Section
393.203(a) includes an exception when the vehicle is loaded with pipe
or bar stock that blocks the door and the cab has a roof exit.
Application for Renewal of Exemption
Loomis Armored US, LLC requests a renewal of its exemption to
operate its specialized armored vehicles designed to allow a reduced
number of employees to safely transport cash and other valuables using
proprietary security technology. FMCSA originally granted the 5-year
exemption effective October 18, 2021 through October 13, 2026 (86 FR
57738). In its initial application, Loomis stated that because its
technology required cab doors different from those provided by the
original equipment manufacturer, Loomis welded shut the original driver
and passenger cab doors and installed two high-security doors behind
the cab: a trap compartment door equipped with biometric access for
authorized personnel and an emergency escape hatch. Loomis stated that
the system includes safety overrides in the event of power loss, that
the vehicles were tested to confirm that vehicle safety and operator
security were not compromised, and that employees receive training on
the operation and use of the modified vehicles. Loomis asserted that
this configuration maintains a level of safety equivalent to, or
greater than, compliance with 49 CFR 393.203(a) while enhancing
security against robberies and other criminal activity.
After evaluating the application and public comments, FMCSA granted
Loomis a limited 5-year exemption from 49 CFR 393.203(a), allowing
approximately 500 armored vehicles to operate with welded-shut cab
doors and two security-enhanced doors behind the cab. FMCSA determined
that the alternative door configuration is likely to provide a level of
safety equivalent to, or greater than, compliance with the regulation,
including adequate means for occupant evacuation and emergency
responder access. The Agency acknowledged concerns regarding first-
responder access but concluded that armored vehicles inherently present
access challenges and that the rear emergency and messenger doors
provide an equivalent means of evacuation and rescue.
In its renewal application, Loomis reiterates its previous
statements in support of the original exemption request. In addition,
Loomis reports that there have been no known incidents during the
exemption period to suggest that the exemption has resulted in a lower
level of safety. Loomis asserts that welding the original cab doors
shut and relying on security-enhanced replacement doors behind the cab
continues to reduce opportunities for criminal activity and enhances
employee safety, while maintaining compliance with applicable safety
and performance requirements. The renewal request applies to
approximately 1,600 vehicles and a similar number of drivers. Loomis
asserts that renewal of
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the exemption would continue to provide a level of safety equivalent
to, or greater than, provided by the regulation.
A copy of Loomis' application and supporting materials 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 the Loomis application for an
exemption from the requirements of 49 CFR 393.203(a). All comments
received before the close of business on the comment closing date 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 may 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. 2026-06378 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P