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Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing Publication: Federal Register Agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Byline: Larry W. Minor Date: 3 August 2023 Subjects: American Government  , Driver Licensing
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 148 (Thursday, August 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51392-51393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16597]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0154; FMCSA-2013-0124; FMCSA-2014-0385; FMCSA-
2016-0002; FMCSA-2018-0138; FMCSA-2020-0027]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.
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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.
DATES: The exemptions are applicable on August 13, 2023. The exemptions
expire on August 13, 2025. Comments must be received on or before
September 5, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket
Management System Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0154, Docket No. FMCSA-2013-
0124, Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0385, Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0002, Docket
No. FMCSA-2018-0138, or Docket No. FMCSA-2020-0027 using any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/,
insert the docket number (FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-
0385, FMCSA-2016-0002, FMCSA-2018-0138, or FMCSA-2020-0027) in the
keyword box and click ``Search.'' Next, sort the results by ``Posted
(Newer-Older),'' choose the first notice listed, and click on the
``Comment'' button. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Mail: Dockets Operations; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET
Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
See the ``Public Participation'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments.
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. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
notice (Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0154, Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0124, Docket
No. FMCSA-2014-0385, Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0002, Docket No. FMCSA-2018-
0138, or Docket No. FMCSA-2020-0027), indicate the specific section of
this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for
each suggestion or recommendation. 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 www.regulations.gov/, insert
the docket number (FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-0385,
FMCSA-2016-0002, FMCSA-2018-0138, or FMCSA-2020-0027) in the keyword
box and click ``Search.'' Next, sort the results by ``Posted (Newer-
Older),'' choose the first notice listed, click the ``Comment'' button,
and type your comment into the text box on the following screen. Choose
whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf
of a third party and then submit.
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. FMCSA will consider all comments and
material received during the comment period.
B. Viewing Comments
To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket
number (FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-0385, FMCSA-2016-
0002, FMCSA-2018-0138, or FMCSA-2020-0027) 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 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.
C. 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
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption
from the FMCSRs for no longer than a 5-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 statutes also allow the Agency to renew exemptions at
the end of the 5-year period. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the
FMCSRs for a 2-year period to align with the maximum duration of a
driver's medical certification.
The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing
found in 49 CFR 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
[[Page 51393]]
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).
The seven individuals listed in this notice have requested renewal
of their exemptions from the hearing standard in Sec. 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 2-year period.
III. 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(b), FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the
exemption of a driver.
IV. Basis for Renewing Exemptions
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), each of the
seven applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an
exemption from the hearing requirement. The seven drivers in this
notice remain in good standing with the Agency. In addition, for
commercial driver's license (CDL) holders, the Commercial Driver's
License Information System and the Motor Carrier Management Information
System are searched for crash and violation data. For non-CDL holders,
the Agency reviews the driving records from the State Driver's
Licensing Agency. These factors provide an adequate basis for
predicting each driver's ability to continue to safely operate a CMV in
interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the
exemption for each of these drivers for a period of 2 years is likely
to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the
exemption.
As of August 13, 2023, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315(b), the following seven individuals have satisfied the
renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing
requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers:
Jason Clark (MO)
Timothy Finley (CA)
William Jones (MN)
David Presley (TX)
Michael Smith (CO)
Donald Taylor (NC)
Holly Wright, Jr. (NC)
The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2012-0154, FMCSA-
2013-0124, FMCSA-2014-0385, FMCSA-2016-0002, FMCSA-2018-0138, FMCSA-
2020-0027. Their exemptions are applicable as of August 13, 2023 and
will expire on August 13, 2025.
V. Conditions and Requirements
The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions:
(1) each driver must report any crashes or accidents as defined in
Sec. 390.5T; and (2) report all citations and convictions for
disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR parts 383 and 391 to FMCSA; and (3)
each driver prohibited from operating a motorcoach or bus with
passengers in interstate commerce. The driver must also have a copy of
the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized
Federal, State, or local enforcement official. In addition, the
exemption does not exempt the individual from meeting the applicable
CDL testing requirements. Each exemption will be valid for 2 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(b).
VI. 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.
VII. Conclusion
Based upon its evaluation of the seven exemption applications,
FMCSA renews the exemptions of the aforementioned drivers from the
hearing requirement in Sec. 391.41(b)(11). In accordance with 49
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), each exemption will be valid for 2 years
unless revoked earlier by FMCSA.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023-16597 Filed 8-2-23; 8:45 am]
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