Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
January 9, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1927-1930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00227]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0351]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

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 20 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 February 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0351 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

[[Page 1928]]

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 FDMS published in 
the Federal Register on December 29, 2010 (75 FR 82132).

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 20 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 the 
statutes.

Qualifications of Applicants

Angel Bergendale

    Mr. Bergendale, 33, has had ITDM since 2010. 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. Bergendale understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Bergendale 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 D operator's license from 
Massachusetts.

Sean P. Borsky

    Mr. Borsky, 41, 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. Borsky understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely.Mr. Borsky 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 E operator's license from Florida.

Uvena Shirley Brown

    Ms. Brown, 68, has had ITDM since 2011. Her endocrinologist 
examined her in 2012 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. Brown understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of her diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Ms. Brown meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). Her ophthalmologist examined her 
in 2012 and certified that she has stable proliferative diabetic 
retinopathy. She holds an operator's license from Indiana.

Cody R. Floerchinger

    Mr. Floerchinger, 22, has had ITDM since 2008. 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. Floerchinger understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Floerchinger 
meets the vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2012 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Massachusetts.

Sean P. Glynn

    Mr. Glynn, 47, has had ITDM since 2008. 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. Glynn understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Glynn 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 D operator's license from Wisconsin.

Spiro J. Jonovich

    Mr. Jonovich, 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. Jonovich understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Jonovich meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined 
him in 2012 and certified that he does not have

[[Page 1929]]

diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Arizona.

Jaron L. Lindell

    Mr. Lindell, 24, has had ITDM since 2003. 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. Lindell understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Lindell meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2012 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from 
Georgia.

Travis J. Martinez

    Mr. Martinez, 24, has had ITDM since 2002. 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. Martinez understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Martinez 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 North Carolina.

Victor D. Mayberry

    Mr. Mayberry, 50, 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. Mayberry understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Mayberry 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 D operator's license from Tennessee.

Larry Lee McDaniel

    Mr. McDaniel, 47, has had ITDM since 2004. 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. McDaniel understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. McDaniel 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 D operator's license from Oklahoma.

Barry C. McKay

    Mr. McKay, 59, has had ITDM since 2007. 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. McKay understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. McKay 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 A CDL from Minnesota.

Robert B. McKendry

    Mr. McKendry, 53, has had ITDM since 2005. 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. McKendry understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. McKendry 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 C operator's license from 
Illinois.

Jamie W. Moore

    Mr. Moore, 30, 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. Moore understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Moore 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 C operator's license from North 
Carolina.

William L. Phelps

    Mr. Phelps, 59, 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. Phelps understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Phelps 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 Indiana.

Raby L. Ratliff

    Mr. Ratliff, 58, 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. Ratliff understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using

[[Page 1930]]

insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Ratliff meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has stable proliferative 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Texas.

Richard J. Rembisz

    Mr. Rembisz, 62, 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. Rembisz understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Rembisz meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from New York.

Richard L. Smith

    Mr. Smith, 63, 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. Smith understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Smith 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 A CDL from Georgia.

Darrin L. Stoneberg

    Mr. Stoneberg, 32, has had ITDM since 2004. 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. Stoneberg understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Stoneberg 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 D operator's license from Minnesota.

Gary J. Tricarico

    Mr. Tricarico, 64, has had ITDM since 2010. 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. Tricarico understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Tricarico meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Connecticut.

Lacy I. Wallace, Jr.

    Mr. Wallace, 65, 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. Wallace understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wallace 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 A CDL from North Carolina.

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 U.S.C. 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.

    Issued on: December 28, 2012.
 Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-00227 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
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