Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing |
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Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
6 March 2017
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 42 (Monday, March 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12682-12683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04270]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0103; FMCSA-2014-0104]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for five
individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle
(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf
individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
DATES: The renewed exemptions were effective on the dates stated in the
discussions below and will expire on the dates stated in the
discussions below. Comments must be received on or before April 5,
2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, 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.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket,
contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0103; FMCSA-2014-0104
using any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 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.
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the
docket number(s) 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 FDMS is available 24 hours each day, e.t.,
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 online.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information
the commenter provides, to http://www.regulations.gov, as described in
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed
at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.
I. Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption
for two years 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 two-year period.
The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) states that a
[[Page 12683]]
person is physically qualified to driver a CMV if that person:
First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at
not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or, if
tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average
hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz,
1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the
audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard
(formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5--1951.
49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) was adopted in 1970, with a revision in 1971
to allow drivers to be qualified under this standard while wearing a
hearing aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3,
1971).
The five individuals listed in this notice have requested renewal
of their exemptions from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11),
in accordance with FMCSA procedures. Accordingly, FMCSA has evaluated
these applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend
each exemption for a renewable two-year period.
II. Request for Comments
Interested parties or organizations possessing information that
would otherwise show that any, or all, of these drivers are not
currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately
notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted
and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption
would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C.
31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the
exemption of a driver.
III. Basis for Renewing Exemptions
Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no
longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon
application. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each of
the five applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining
an exemption from the hearing requirement (80 FR 57032; 80 FR 60747).
In addition, for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders, the
Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) and the Motor
Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) are searched for crash
and violation data. For non-CDL holders, the Agency reviews the driving
records from the State Driver's Licensing Agency (SDLA). These factors
provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver's ability to
continue to safely operate a CMV in interstate commerce.
The five drivers in this notice remain in good standing with the
Agency and have not exhibited any medical issues that would compromise
their ability to safely operate a CMV during the previous two-year
exemption period. FMCSA has concluded that renewing the exemptions for
each of these applicants is likely to achieve a level of safety equal
to that existing without the exemption. Therefore, FMCSA has decided to
renew each exemption for a two-year period. In accordance with 49
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each driver has received a renewed
exemption.
As of November 1, 2016, Kevin Beachum (MD) has satisfied the
renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11), from driving CMVs in interstate
commerce (80 FR 57032). This driver was included in FMCSA-2014-0103.
The exemption was effective on November 1, 2016, and will expire on
November 1, 2018.
As of November 30, 2016, Bruce H. Dunn (LA); Scott A. Perdue (GA);
Melvin Ross (OH); and Thomas Sneer (MN) have satisfied the renewal
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing requirement in
49 CFR 391.41(b)(11), from driving CMVs in interstate commerce (80 FR
60747). The drivers were included in FMCSA-2014-0104. The exemptions
were effective on November 30, 2016, and will expire on November 30,
2018.
IV. Conditions and Requirements
The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions:
(1) Each driver must report any crashes or accidents as defined in 49
CFR 390.5; and (2) report all citations and convictions for
disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 CFR 391 to FMCSA.
In addition, the driver must also have a copy of the exemption when
driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local
enforcement official. The driver is prohibited from operating a
motorcoach or bus with passengers in interstate commerce. The exemption
does not exempt the individual from meeting the applicable CDL testing
requirements. Each exemption will be valid for two years unless
rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be rescinded if: (1) The
person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption;
(2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was
maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption
would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C.
31136(e) and 31315.
V. Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the five exemption applications, FMCSA
renews the exemptions of the aforementioned drivers from the hearing
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41 (b)(11). In accordance with 49 U.S.C.
31136(e) and 31315, each exemption will be valid for two years unless
revoked earlier by FMCSA.
Issued on: February 27, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-04270 Filed 3-3-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P