Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
October 28, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64267-64271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25382]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0184]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

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

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

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 26 individuals 
for exemptions 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 November 27, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0184 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 26 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.

[[Page 64268]]

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

Daniel L. Alcaraz

    Mr. Alcaraz, 55, has had ITDM since 2011. 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. Alcaraz understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Alcaraz 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.

John Baltich

    Mr. Baltich, 53, 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. Baltich understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Baltich 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.

Rodney G. Bell

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

John D. Clark, 4th

    Mr. Clark, 34, has had ITDM since 2011. 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. Clark understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Clark 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 D operator's license from New Jersey.

Theeir L. Coleman

    Mr. Coleman, 54, has had ITDM since 1976. 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. Coleman understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Coleman meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 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 Virginia.

Michael W. Denney

    Mr. Denney, 32, 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. Denney understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Denney 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 D operator's license from Kentucky.

Charles G. Garabedian

    Mr. Garabedian, 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. Garabedian understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Garabedian 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 New Hampshire.

William I. Harbolt

    Mr. Harbolt, 64, has had ITDM since 2007. 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. Harbolt understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Harbolt meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 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 Montana.

Ryan L. Harrier

    Mr. Harrier, 37, has had ITDM since 1999. 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

[[Page 64269]]

certifies that Mr. Harrier understands diabetes management and 
monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is 
able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Harrier 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 
O operator's license from Michigan.

John D. Heffington

    Mr. Heffington, 30, 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. Heffington understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Heffington 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 A CDL from Kansas.

Matthew L. Herscowitz

    Mr. Herscowitz, 22, has had ITDM since 2004. 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. Herscowitz understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Herscowitz 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 C operator's license from 
California.

Larry W. Hines

    Mr. Hines, 66, has had ITDM since 2011. 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. Hines understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hines 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 New Mexico.

Mark G. Kahler

    Mr. Kahler, 33, has had ITDM since 2009. 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. Kahler understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Kahler 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 Texas.

Roger B. Larson

    Mr. Larson, 75, 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. Larson understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Larson 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 Minnesota.

Michael W. McCrary

    Mr. McCrary, 51, 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. McCrary understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. McCrary meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 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 Georgia.

Sean T. McMahon

    Mr. McMahon, 49, 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. McMahon understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. McMahon 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 Minnesota.

David S. Monroe

    Mr. Monroe, 41, has had ITDM since 1982. 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. Monroe understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Monroe 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 Kansas.

Steven M. Oliver

    Mr. Oliver, 55, 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

[[Page 64270]]

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

John E. Parker

    Mr. Parker, 54, has had ITDM since 2011. 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. Parker understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Parker 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 Kansas.

Thomas B. Quirk

    Mr. Quirk, 56, has had ITDM since 1991. 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. Quirk understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Quirk 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 
Connecticut.

Michael R. Shields

    Mr. Shields, 54, has had ITDM since 2011. 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. Shields understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Shields 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 North 
Dakota.

David G. Shultz

    Mr. Shultz, 62, 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. Shultz understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Shultz 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 A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Donald A. Spivey

    Mr. Spivey, 46, has had ITDM since 2006. 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. Spivey understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Spivey meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 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 
Tennessee.

James Tracy

    Mr. Tracy, 27, has had ITDM since 2011. 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. Tracy understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Tracy 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 Idaho.

James S. Wolfe

    Mr. Wolfe, 35, 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. Wolfe understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wolfe 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 Iowa.

Jerry D. Zimmerman

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

[[Page 64271]]

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.

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-2013-0184 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-2013-0184 and click ``Search.'' Next, click ``Open Docket 
Folder'' and you will find all documents and comments related to the 
proposed rulemaking.

    Issued on: October 22, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-25382 Filed 10-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P