Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
8 March 2017

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13048-13050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04526]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2002-12432; FMCSA-2002-12844; FMCSA-2004-19477; 
FMCSA-2005-23238; FMCSA-2006-26066; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-2008-0266; 
FMCSA-2008-0340; FMCSA-2009-0291; FMCSA-2009-0321; FMCSA-2010-0114; 
FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0201; FMCSA-2010-0354; FMCSA-2010-0385; 
FMCSA-2012-0040; FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-2012-0159; FMCSA-2012-0214; 
FMCSA-2012-0337; FMCSA-2012-0338; FMCSA-2012-0339; FMCSA-2014-0004; 
FMCSA-2014-0006; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0296; FMCSA-2014-0298; 
FMCSA-2014-0299; FMCSA-2014-0300]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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 81 
individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to 
operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision 
requirement in one eye.

DATES: Each group of renewed exemptions was 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 7, 
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-2002-12432; FMCSA-2002-12844; 
FMCSA-2004-19477; FMCSA-2005-23238; FMCSA-2006-26066; FMCSA-2008-0106; 
FMCSA-2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0340; FMCSA-2009-0291; FMCSA-2009-0321; 
FMCSA-2010-0114; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0201; FMCSA-2010-0354; 
FMCSA-2010-0385; FMCSA-2012-0040; FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-2012-0159; 
FMCSA-2012-0214; FMCSA-2012-0337; FMCSA-2012-0338; FMCSA-2012-0339; 
FMCSA-2014-0004; FMCSA-2014-0006; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0296; 
FMCSA-2014-0298; FMCSA-2014-0299; FMCSA-2014-0300 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., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The 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 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

[[Page 13049]]

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 vision 
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive a CMV if that person:

    Has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each 
eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity separately corrected 
to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with corrective lenses, distant 
binocular acuity of a least 20/40 (Snellen) in both eyes with or 
without corrective lenses, field of vision of at least 70[deg] in 
the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability to recognize 
the colors of traffic signals and devices showing red, green, and 
amber.

    The 81 individuals listed in this notice have requested renewal of 
their exemptions from the vision standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), 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 81 applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an 
exemption from the vision requirement (67 FR 54525; 67 FR 68719; 68 FR 
2629; 68 FR 8794; 69 FR 64806; 69 FR 71100; 70 FR 2705; 70 FR 8659; 71 
FR 5105; 71 FR 19600; 71 FR 63380; 72 FR 1050; 72 FR 1054; 72 FR 1056; 
72 FR 5489; 73 FR 11989; 73 FR 35194; 73 FR 35197; 73 FR 48273; 73 FR 
48275; 73 FR 51689; 73 FR 63047; 73 FR 75803; 73 FR 76439; 74 FR 980; 
74 FR 981; 74 FR 6207; 74 FR 6209; 74 FR 65842; 75 FR 1835; 75 FR 9478; 
75 FR 9482; 75 FR 13653; 75 FR 34209; 75 FR 44050; 75 FR 47883; 75 FR 
47886; 75 FR 52062; 75 FR 54958; 75 FR 63255; 75 FR 70078; 75 FR 72863; 
75 FR 77942; 75 FR 79083; 75 FR 79084; 76 FR 2190; 76 FR 4413; 76 FR 
4414; 76 FR 5425; 76 FR 8809; 76 FR 46793; 76 FR 59245; 77 FR 7234; 77 
FR 17107; 77 FR 23799; 77 FR 27847; 77 FR 33558; 77 FR 36336; 77 FR 
38386; 77 FR 46795; 77 FR 52389; 77 FR 68200; 77 FR 68202; 77 FR 70534; 
77 FR 74731; 77 FR 75496; 78 FR 797; 78 FR 798; 78 FR 1919; 78 FR 9772; 
78 FR 12811; 78 FR 12813; 78 FR 12817; 79 FR 17641; 79 FR 18391; 79 FR 
18392; 79 FR 29495; 79 FR 29498; 79 FR 35212; 79 FR 38659; 79 FR 47175; 
79 FR 51642; 79 FR 53514; 79 FR 58856; 79 FR 59348; 79 FR 59357; 79 FR 
65759; 79 FR 69985; 79 FR 72754; 79 FR 73397; 80 FR 2473; 80 FR 18693; 
80 FR 3305; 80 FR 3308; 80 FR 3723; 80 FR 5615; 80 FR 8927; 80 FR 
9304). They have submitted evidence showing that the vision in the 
better eye continues to meet the requirement specified at 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10) and that the vision impairment is stable. In addition, a 
review of each record of safety while driving with the respective 
vision deficiencies over the past two years indicates each applicant 
continues to meet the vision exemption requirements. These factors 
provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver's ability to 
continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA 
concludes that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a 
period of two years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to 
that existing without the exemption.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, the following 
groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of July and 
are discussed below:
    As of February 5, 2017, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 26 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (71 FR 
5105; 71 FR 19600; 73 FR 11989; 73 FR 35194; 73 FR 35197; 73 FR 48273; 
73 FR 48275; 73 FR 75803; 74 FR 6209; 74 FR 65842; 75 FR 9478; 75 FR 
13653; 75 FR 44050; 75 FR 52062; 75 FR 54958; 75 FR 70078; 76 FR 4413; 
76 FR 46793; 76 FR 59245; 77 FR 7234; 77 FR 17107; 77 FR 27847; 77 FR 
36336; 77 FR 38386; 77 FR 46795; 77 FR 52389; 77 FR 68200; 77 FR 68202; 
78 FR 797; 79 FR 17641; 79 FR 18391; 79 FR 18392; 79 FR 29495; 79 FR 
29498; 79 FR 35212; 79 FR 38659; 79 FR 47175; 79 FR 51642; 79 FR 53514; 
79 FR 58856; 79 FR 59348; 79 FR 59357; 79 FR 65759; 79 FR 69985; 79 FR 
72754; 79 FR 73397; 80 FR 3305; 80 FR 8927; 80 FR 9304):

Michael J. Bechta (PA)
Anatoliy A. Bogdanets (OR)
William L. Brady (KS)
Ricky J. Childress (AL)
Donald S. Dickerson (WV)
David L. Dykman (ID)
Larry E. Emanuel (FL)
Milan D. Frasier (ID)
Greg E. Gage (IA)
Eric M. Giddens, Sr. (DE)
Harold J. Haier (NY)
James A. Jones (MD)
Timothy L. Kelly (TX)
Lewis A. Kielhack (IL)
Daniel E. Manchester (GA)
Joe A. McIlroy (NY)
Richard L. Moreland (MO)
Timothy W. Nappier (MI)
Don R. Padley (MO)
Dennis D. Pimley (CA)
Monte L. Purciful (IN)
Michael R. Seldomridge (FL)
Ronald M. Scott (IN)
Ronald B. Shafer (MI)
Dennis Torrence (WI)
Jeffrey T. Zuniga (CT)

    The drivers were included in one of the following dockets: Docket 
Nos. FMCSA-2005-23238; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-2008-0340; FMCSA-2009-
0291; FMCSA-2010-0201; FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-2012-0159; FMCSA-2012-
0214; FMCSA-2014-0004; FMCSA-2014-0006; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-
0296; FMCSA-2014-0298; FMCSA-2014-0299. Their exemptions are effective 
as of February 5, 2017 and will expire on February 5, 2019.
    As of February 7, 2017, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, Thomas J. Boss (IL) has satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (67 FR 
68719; 68 FR 2629; 69 FR 71100; 72 FR 1054; 74 FR 980; 76 FR 4414; 78 
FR 798; 80 FR 5615).
    The driver was included in Docket No. FMCSA-2002-12844. The 
exemption is effective as of February 7, 2017, and will expire on 
February 7, 2019.
    As of February 11, 2017, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 5 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (77 FR 
70534; 78 FR 9772; 80 FR 3308):

Douglas Eamens (NY)
Roberto Ramos (TX)
Johnie Reed (VA)
Sammie Soles, Jr. (MI)
Grover C. Taylor (VA)

    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2012-0337. Their exemptions are effective as of February 11, 
2017, and will expire on February 11, 2019.

[[Page 13050]]

    As of February 18, 2017, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 30 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (80 FR 
2473; 80 FR 18693):

David C. Berger (PA)
Raymond L. Bradshaw (TX)
Jeffrey L. Coachman (NY)
Robert W. Cushing (NH)
Kenneth Dionisi (MI)
Wolfgang K. Faulkingham (ME)
Ricky J. Franklin (OR)
James P. Gapinski (MN)
David N. Groff (PA)
Robert J. Hansen (MN)
Kevin L. Himes (CO)
Jackie Lee (FL)
Keith A. Looney (AR)
Van C. Mac (IL)
Chris D. McCance (IL)
Michael W. McCann (VA)
Preston Nehring (FL)
Dennis J. Oie (MN)
Leonardo Polonski (MA)
Don C. Powell (NY)
Luis Ramos (FL)
Kevin C. Rich (NC)
Gerardo Silva (IL)
James A. Spittal (OR)
Paul J. Stewart (CO)
David A. Stinelli (PA)
Ingrid V. Taylor (MI)
Bobby M. Warren (KY)
Steven E. Williams (GA)
Vantha Yeam (PA)

    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2014-0300. Their exemptions are effective as of February 18, 
2017, and will expire on February 18, 2019.
    As of February 25, 2017, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 19 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (67 FR 
54525; 68 FR 8794; 69 FR 64806; 70 FR 2705; 70 FR 8659; 71 FR 63380; 72 
FR 1050; 72 FR 1056; 72 FR 5489; 73 FR 51689; 73 FR 63047; 73 FR 76439; 
74 FR 981; 74 FR 6207; 75 FR 1835; 75 FR 9482; 75 FR 34209; 75 FR 
47883; 75 FR 47886; 75 FR 63255; 75 FR 72863; 75 FR 77942; 75 FR 79083; 
75 FR 79084; 76 FR 2190; 76 FR 4414; 76 FR 5425; 76 FR 8809; 77 FR 
23799; 77 FR 33558; 77 FR 70534; 77 FR 74731; 77 FR 75496; 78 FR 1919; 
78 FR 9772; 78 FR 12811; 78 FR 12813; 78 FR 12817; 80 FR 3723):

William Audinwood (NY)
Kenneth L. Bowers, Jr. (MN)
Lester W. Carter (CA)
Matthew T. Eggers (IA)
Dennis E. Fisher (NY)
Andrew G. Fornsel (NY)
Jerry Hall (KY)
Dennis R. O'Dell Jr. (OK)
Jerry W. Parker (OH)
Gary W. Phelps (PA)
Charles D. Reddick (GA)
Myriam Rodriguez (CA)
Bobby L. Rupe (TX)
Jules M. Sancho, Jr. (LA)
Frank Santak (DE)
Gary Wanek (NE)
Keith Washington (IL)
Kenneth J. Weaver (WY)
Cameron R. Whitford (NY)

    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2002-12432; FMCSA-2004-19477; FMCSA-2006-26066; FMCSA-2008-0266; 
FMCSA-2009-0321; FMCSA-2010-0114; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0354; 
FMCSA-2010-0385; FMCSA-2012-0040; FMCSA-2012-0337; FMCSA-2012-0338; 
FMCSA-2012-0339. Their exemptions are effective as of February 25, 
2017, and will expire on February 25, 2019.

Conditions and Requirements

    The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: 
(1) Each driver must undergo an annual physical examination (a) by an 
ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the 
better eye continues to meet the requirements in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), 
and (b) by a certified Medical Examiner, as defined by 49 CFR 390.5, 
who attests that the driver is otherwise physically qualified under 49 
CFR 391.41; (2) each driver must provide a copy of the 
ophthalmologist's or optometrist's report to the Medical Examiner at 
the time of the annual medical examination; and (3) each driver must 
provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for 
retention in the driver's qualification file and retains a copy of the 
certification on his/her person while driving for presentation to a 
duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. 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.

IV. Preemption

    During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall 
enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with 
respect to a person operating under the exemption.

VI. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the 81 exemption applications, FMCSA 
renews the exemptions of the aforementioned drivers from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited 
above (49 CFR 391.64(b)). 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 28, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-04526 Filed 3-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P