Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
August 19, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50486-50489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20009]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0182]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

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

ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption from the diabetes mellitus 
requirement; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 19 individuals 
for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated 
diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in 
interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these 
individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 18, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0182 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; 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., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the 
docket numbers for this notice. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below 
for further information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or 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., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want 
acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement 
page that appears after submitting comments on-line.
    Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review DOT's Privacy Act Statement for the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) published in the Federal Register on January 
17, 2008 (73 FR 3316).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, Chief, Medical 
Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, 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., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for a 2-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 2-year period. The 19 individuals listed 
in this notice have recently requested such an exemption from the 
diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b) (3), which applies to drivers 
of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate 
the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether granting the 
exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by 
statute.

Qualifications of Applicants

Francisco Barron

    Mr. Barron, 41, has had ITDM since 1985. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Barron understands diabetes 
management and monitoring,

[[Page 50487]]

has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive 
a CMV safely. Mr. Barron meets the vision requirements of 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2013 and certified 
that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and stable 
proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's 
license from Texas.

Jase V. Burkhart

    Mr. Burkhart, 25, has had ITDM since 1995. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Burkhart understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Burkhart meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from South Dakota.

Peter Engel

    Mr. Engel, 42, has had ITDM since 2000. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Engel understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Engel meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him 
in 2012 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Jhon A. Fitzgerald

    Mr. Fitzgerald, 47, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Fitzgerald understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Fitzgerald meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2013 and certified that he has stable 
non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from 
Maine.

Lewis E. Forrester

    Mr. Forrester, 60, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Forrester understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Forrester meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Randall G. Freed

    Mr. Freed, 59, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Freed understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Freed meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him 
in 2013 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class D operator's license from Illinois.

Jesus A. Gonzales

    Mr. Gonzales, 49, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Gonzales understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Gonzales meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2013 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from New 
York.

Robert D. Graves

    Mr. Graves, 69, has had ITDM since 2013. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Graves understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Graves meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him 
in 2013 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Iowa.

Michael G. Harp

    Mr. Harp, 38, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or 
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His 
endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Harp understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Harp meets the vision requirements 
of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2013 and 
certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class D operator's license from Oklahoma.

Ray Harrison

    Mr. Harrison, 29, has had ITDM since 1992. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the

[[Page 50488]]

assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Harrison understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Harrison meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2013 and certified that he has stable 
non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's 
license from Maryland.

Edward E. Hartford

    Mr. Hartford, 43, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Hartford understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hartford meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2012 and certified that he has stable 
non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New 
York.

Michael Hatfield

    Mr. Hatfield, 55, has had ITDM since 2013. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Hatfield understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hatfield meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has stable proliferative 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Kentucky.

Charles LaBruno

    Mr. LaBruno, 53, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. LaBruno understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. LaBruno meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined 
him in 2013 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. 
He holds a Class B CDL from Pennsylvania.

Clinton D. Lewis

    Mr. Lewis, 36, has had ITDM since 2011. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Lewis understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Lewis meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2012 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa.

Shawn E. Marks

    Mr. Marks, 39, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Marks understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Marks meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 
2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds 
a Class C operator's license from Pennsylvania.

John D. Patterson

    Mr. Patterson, 42, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Patterson understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Patterson meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined 
him in 2013 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. 
He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio.

Ricky A. Root

    Mr. Root, 51, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or 
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His 
endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Root understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Root meets the vision requirements 
of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2013 and 
certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Illinois.

Tina M. Schreiber

    Ms. Schreiber, 43, has had ITDM since 2013. Her endocrinologist 
examined her in 2013 and certified that she has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
Her endocrinologist certifies that Ms. Schreiber understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of her diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Ms. Schreiber meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Her optometrist examined 
her in 2013 and certified that she does not have diabetic retinopathy. 
She holds a Class D operator's license from Minnesota.

[[Page 50489]]

Donald G. Staggs

    Mr. Staggs, 51, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring 
the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive 
function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Staggs understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Staggs meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 
2013 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds 
a Class C operator's license from California.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA requests 
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions 
described in this notice. We will consider all comments received before 
the close of business on the closing date indicated in the date section 
of the notice.
    FMCSA notes that section 4129 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible 
and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users requires 
the Secretary to revise its diabetes exemption program established on 
September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441).\1\ The revision must provide for 
individual assessment of drivers with diabetes mellitus, and be 
consistent with the criteria described in section 4018 of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 31305).
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    \1\ Section 4129(a) refers to the 2003 notice as a ``final 
rule.'' However, the 2003 notice did not issue a ``final rule'' but 
did establish the procedures and standards for issuing exemptions 
for drivers with ITDM.
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    Section 4129 requires: (1) Elimination of the requirement for 3 
years of experience operating CMVs while being treated with insulin; 
and (2) establishment of a specified minimum period of insulin use to 
demonstrate stable control of diabetes before being allowed to operate 
a CMV.
    In response to section 4129, FMCSA made immediate revisions to the 
diabetes exemption program established by the September 3, 2003 notice. 
FMCSA discontinued use of the 3-year driving experience and fulfilled 
the requirements of section 4129 while continuing to ensure that 
operation of CMVs by drivers with ITDM will achieve the requisite level 
of safety required of all exemptions granted under 49 USC. 31136(e).
    Section 4129(d) also directed FMCSA to ensure that drivers of CMVs 
with ITDM are not held to a higher standard than other drivers, with 
the exception of limited operating, monitoring and medical requirements 
that are deemed medically necessary.
    The FMCSA concluded that all of the operating, monitoring and 
medical requirements set out in the September 3, 2003 notice, except as 
modified, were in compliance with section 4129(d). Therefore, all of 
the requirements set out in the September 3, 2003 notice, except as 
modified by the notice in the Federal Register on November 8, 2005 (70 
FR 67777), remain in effect.

Submitting Comments

    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 and 
in the search box insert the docket number FMCSA-2013-0182 and click 
the search button. When the new screen appears, click on the blue 
``Comment Now!'' button on the right hand side of the page. On the new 
page, enter information required including the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. 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.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your 
comments. FMCSA may issue a final rule at any time after the close of 
the comment period.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this 
preamble, to submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert the docket number 
FMCSA-2013-0182 and click ``Search.'' Next, click ``Open Docket 
Folder'' and you will find all documents and comments related to the 
proposed rulemaking.

    Issued on: August 8, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
 Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-20009 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
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