Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing Publication: Federal Register Agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Byline: Larry W. Minor Date: 13 February 2023 Subjects: American Government , Driver Licensing

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9317-9318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03020]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0106; FMCSA-2015-0326; FMCSA-2016-0002; FMCSA-
2020-0026]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for seven 
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.

[[Page 9318]]


DATES: The exemptions were applicable on September 6, 2022. The 
exemptions expire on September 6, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, FMCSA, DOT, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room 
W64-224, Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202) 366-4001, 
fmcsamedical@dot.gov. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions 
regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Dockets 
Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

A. Viewing Comments

    To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 
number (FMCSA-2014-0106, FMCSA-2015-0326, FMCSA-2016-0002, or FMCSA-
2020-0026) in the keyword box and click ``Search.'' Next, sort the 
results by ``Posted (Newer-Older),'' choose the first notice listed, 
and click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have access to the 
internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations 
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
ET Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone 
is there to help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-9826 
before visiting Dockets Operations.

B. Privacy Act

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(6), DOT solicits comments 
from the public on the exemption requests. DOT posts these comments, 
without edit, including any personal information the commenter 
provides, to www.regulations.gov. As described in the system of records 
notice DOT/ALL 14 (Federal Docket Management System), which can be 
reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices, the comments are searchable by the name of 
the submitter.

II. Background

    On August 24, 2022, FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for seven individuals from the hearing 
standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in interstate 
commerce and requested comments from the public (87 FR 52107). The 
public comment period ended on September 23, 2022, and three comments 
were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and 
determined that renewing these exemptions would likely achieve a level 
of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved by complying with Sec.  391.41(b)(11).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing 
found in Sec.  391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive 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.
    This standard was adopted in 1970 and was revised in 1971 to allow 
drivers to be qualified under this standard while wearing a hearing aid 
(35 FR 6458, 6463 (Apr. 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 8, 1971), 
respectively).

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received three comments in this proceeding. Jeff Daniels' 
comment regarding drug testing was outside the scope of this notice. 
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association's (CVTA's) comment was 
found identical to the comment they submitted to the August 17, 2022, 
Federal Register notice (87 FR 50690). FMCSA provided a response to 
this comment in the December 29, 2022, Federal Register notice (87 FR 
80254) that will not be repeated in this notice. Lastly, an anonymous 
individual opposed the same comment by CVTA.

IV. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the seven renewal exemption 
applications and comments received, FMCSA announces its decision to 
exempt the following drivers from the hearing requirement in Sec.  
391.41(b)(11).
    As of September 6, 2022, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315(b), the following four individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (87 FR 52107):

Weston Arthurs (CA)
Charles DePriest (TX)
Richard Hoots (AR),
D'Nielle Smith (OH)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2014-0106, FMCSA-
2015-0326, or FMCSA-2016-0002. Their exemptions were applicable as of 
September 6, 2022 and will expire on September 6, 2024.
    As of September 14, 2022, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315(b), the following three individuals have satisfied the 
renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing 
requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers:

Jonathan Kelly (TX)
Eddie Martinez (TX)
Willie Miller (IA)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2020-0026. Their 
exemptions were applicable as of September 14, 2022 and will expire on 
September 14, 2024.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid 
for 2 years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 
The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (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 
prior to being 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(b).

Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023-03020 Filed 2-10-23; 8:45 am]
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