80_FR_57211 80 FR 57029 - Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing

80 FR 57029 - Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 182 (September 21, 2015)

Page Range57029-57031
FR Document2015-23591

FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 10 individuals for exemptions from the Agency's physical qualifications standard concerning hearing for interstate drivers. The current regulation prohibits hearing impaired individuals from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. After notice and opportunity for public comment, the Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these drivers to operate property-carrying CMVs will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions. The exemptions are valid for a 2- year period and may be renewed, and the exemptions preempt State laws and regulations.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 182 (Monday, September 21, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57029-57031]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23591]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0107]


Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 10 
individuals for exemptions from the Agency's physical qualifications 
standard concerning hearing for interstate drivers. The current 
regulation prohibits hearing impaired individuals from operating CMVs 
in interstate commerce. After notice and opportunity for public 
comment, the Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these 
drivers to operate property-carrying CMVs will provide a level of 
safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety 
maintained without the exemptions. The exemptions are valid for a 2-
year period and may be renewed, and the exemptions preempt State laws 
and regulations.

DATES: The exemptions are effective September 21, 2015. The exemptions 
expire on September 21, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, 
Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety, (202)

[[Page 57030]]

366-4001, [email protected], FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-224, Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document 
Management System (FDMS) at: www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov and/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.
    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 www.regulations.gov, as described in the 
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

B. Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the 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 current provisions of the FMCSRs 
concerning hearing state 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.

49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). This standard 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).
    FMCSA grants 10 individuals an exemption from Sec.  391.41(b)(11) 
concerning hearing to enable them to operate property-carrying CMVs in 
interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The Agency's decision on these 
exemption applications is based on the current medical literature and 
information and the ``Executive Summary on Hearing, Vestibular Function 
and Commercial Motor Driving Safety'' (the 2008 Evidence Report) 
presented to FMCSA on August 26, 2008. The evidence report reached two 
conclusions regarding the matter of hearing loss and CMV driver safety: 
(1) No studies that examined the relationship between hearing loss and 
crash risk exclusively among CMV drivers were identified; and (2) 
evidence from studies of the private driver license holder population 
does not support the contention that individuals with hearing 
impairment are at an increased risk for a crash. In addition, the 
Agency reviewed each applicant's driving record found in the CDLIS,\1\ 
for CDL holders, and inspections recorded in MCMIS.\2\ For non-CDL 
holders, the Agency reviewed the driving records from the State 
licensing agency. Each applicant's record demonstrated a safe driving 
history. The Agency believes the drivers covered by the exemptions do 
not pose a risk to public safety.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) is an 
information system that allows the exchange of commercial driver 
licensing information among all the States. CDLIS includes the 
databases of 51 licensing jurisdictions and the CDLIS Central Site, 
all connected by a telecommunications network.
    \2\ Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) is an 
information system that captures data from field offices through 
SAFETYNET, CAPRI, and other sources. It is a source for FMCSA 
inspection, crash, compliance review, safety audit, and registration 
data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Comments

    On February 4, 2015, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of 
exemption applications and requested public comment on 10 individuals 
(FR 80 6161; Docket number FMCSA-2015-02134). The comment period ended 
on March 6, 2015. In response to this notice, two comments were 
received; one in support of drivers wearing hearing aids while driving 
and one expressing safety concerns for the far reaching ramifications 
to the commercial driving industry of allowing deaf drivers to test, 
train and/or drive commercially. The Transportation Companies expressed 
concern for process by which exemptions are granted from parts of 49 
CFR 391.41, the increased volume of exemptions, and the need to rely on 
scientific support as a basis for granting the exemptions. FMCSA 
acknowledges these concerns and may consider in the future, the initial 
steps to a formal rulemaking process to revise unnecessary physical 
qualification standards.

D. Exemptions Granted

    Following individualized assessments of the exemption applications, 
FMCSA grants exemptions from 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to 10 individuals. 
Under current FMCSA regulations, all of the 10 drivers receiving 
exemptions from 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) would have been considered 
physically qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce except that 
they do not meet the hearing requirement. FMCSA has determined that the 
following 10 applicants should be granted an exemption:

Thomas J. Bertling

    Mr. Bertling, 58, holds Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) 
in Oregon.

Molly R. Bergstrom

    Ms. Bergstrom, 37, holds an operator's license in Iowa.

John Luegene Huey, Jr.

    Mr. Huey, 50, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) in 
Texas.

Jesus L. Javier

    Mr. Javier, 24, holds an operator's license in New Jersey.

Paul Robert Langlois

    Mr. Langlois, 36, holds an operator's license in Ohio.

Samuel E. Lovley

    Mr. Lovley, 32, holds an operator's license in Pennsylvania.

Scott M. Putman

    Mr. Putman, 35, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) 
in Pennsylvania.

Laird Lamont Smith

    Mr. Smith, 59, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) in 
Utah.

Kirk A. Soneson

    Mr. Soneson, 48, holds an operator's license in Ohio.

Christopher King Warner

    Mr. Warner, 50, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) 
in New York.

Basis for Exemption

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) if the exemption is 
likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would 
be achieved without the exemption. With the exemption, applicants can 
drive in

[[Page 57031]]

interstate commerce. Thus, the Agency's analysis focuses on whether an 
equal or greater level of safety is likely to be achieved by permitting 
each of these drivers to drive in interstate commerce as opposed to 
restricting him or her to driving in intrastate commerce. The driver 
must comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption. This 
includes reporting any crashes or accidents as defined in 49 CFR 390.5 
and reporting all citations and convictions for disqualifying offenses 
under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 CFR 391.

Conclusion

    The Agency is granting exemptions from the hearing standard, 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(11), to 10 individuals based on an evaluation of each 
driver's safety experience. Safety analysis of information relating to 
these 10 applicants meets the burden of showing that granting the 
exemptions would achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or 
greater than the level that would be achieved without the exemption. In 
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid for 2 
years from the effective date with annual recertification required 
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 and 31315.
    FMCSA exempts the following 10 drivers for a period of 2 years from 
the physical qualification standard concerning hearing: Thomas J. 
Bertling (OR); Molly R. Bergstrom (IA); John Luegene Huey, Jr. (TX); 
Jesus L. Javier (NJ); Paul Robert Langlois (OH); Samuel E. Lovley (PA); 
Scott M. Putman (PA); Laird Lamont Smith (UT); Kirk A. Soneson (OH); 
and Christopher King Warner (NY).

    Issued on: September 8, 2015.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-23591 Filed 9-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P



                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 182 / Monday, September 21, 2015 / Notices                                                  57029

                                               filing such claim, then that shorter time               Impact (FONSI) was issued on August                   Populations; E.O. 11593, Protection and
                                               period still applies.                                   25, 2015, and in other documents in the               Enhancement of Cultural Resources;
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                    TxDOT administrative record. The EA,                  E.O. 13007, Indian Sacred Sites; E.O.
                                               Carlos Swonke, Director, Environmental                  FONSI, and other documents in the                     13287, Preserve America; E.O. 13175,
                                               Affairs Division, Texas Department of                   administrative record file are available              Consultation and Coordination with
                                               Transportation, 125 East 11th Street,                   by contacting TxDOT at the address                    Indian Tribal Governments; E.O. 11514,
                                               Austin, Texas 78701; telephone: 512–                    provided above. The EA and FONSI                      Protection and Enhancement of
                                               416–2734; email: carlos.swonke@                         may also be viewed and downloaded                     Environmental Quality; E.O. 13112,
                                               txdot.gov. TxDOT’s normal business                      from the project Web site at http://                  Invasive Species; E.O. 12372,
                                               hours are 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday                   txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/              Intergovernmental Review of Federal
                                               through Friday.                                         fort-worth/i-30.html. Information about               Programs.
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is                    the project also is available from TxDOT                The environmental review,
                                               hereby given that TxDOT and Federal                     at the address provided above.                        consultation, and other actions required
                                               agencies have taken final agency actions                   This notice applies to all TxDOT                   by applicable Federal environmental
                                               by issuing licenses, permits, and                       decisions and Federal agency decisions                laws for this project are being, or have
                                               approvals for the following highway                     as of the issuance date of this notice and            been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to
                                               project in the State of Texas: IH 30 from               all laws under which such actions were                23 U.S.C. § 327 and a Memorandum of
                                               Cooper Street to SH 161, including the                  taken, including but not limited to:                  Understanding dated December 16,
                                                                                                          1. General: National Environmental                 2014, and executed by FHWA and
                                               IH 30/SH 360 interchange, in Tarrant
                                                                                                       Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321–                    TxDOT.
                                               County and Dallas County, Texas. The
                                                                                                       4351]; Federal-Aid Highway Act [23                      Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1).
                                               project will construct a fully directional,
                                                                                                       U.S.C. 109].
                                               multi-level IH 30/SH 360 interchange                       2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401–               Issued on: September 3, 2015.
                                               providing direct-connecting ramps for                   7671(q)].                                             Michael T. Leary,
                                               all freeway-to-freeway traffic                             3. Land: Section 4(f) of the                       Director, Planning and Program Development,
                                               movements. The proposed interchange                     Department of Transportation Act of                   Federal Highway Administration.
                                               will require reconstructing the SH 360                  1966 [49 U.S.C. 303]; Landscaping and                 [FR Doc. 2015–22877 Filed 9–18–15; 8:45 am]
                                               main lanes from north of Avenue J to                    Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers), 23                  BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
                                               Road to Six Flags Street; widening the                  U.S.C. 319.
                                               existing main lanes from Brown                             4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act
                                               Boulevard/Avenue K to north of Avenue                   [16 U.S.C. 1531–1544 and Section                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                               J; and reconstructing the one-way,                      1536]; Fish and Wildlife Coordination
                                               continuous frontage roads along SH 360                  Act [16 U.S.C. 661–667(d)]; Migratory                 Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                               within the project limits (approximately                Bird Treaty Act [16 U.S.C. 703–712].                  Administration
                                               1.6 miles). The proposed improvements                      5. Historic and Cultural Resources:                [Docket No. FMCSA–2014–0107]
                                               to IH 30 will provide up to ten general-                Section 106 of the National Historic
                                               purpose lanes and auxiliary lanes from                  Preservation Act of 1966, as amended                  Qualification of Drivers; Application for
                                               Cooper Street to SH 161 (approximately                  [16 U.S.C. 470(f) et seq.]; Archeological             Exemptions; Hearing
                                               5.0 miles). Two reversible managed                      Resources Protection Act of 1977 [16
                                               lanes will be provided from Center                      U.S.C. 470(aa)-11]; Archeological and                 AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                               Street to SH 161, tying into the existing               Historic Preservation Act [16 U.S.C.                  Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
                                               two-lane reversible managed lane                        469–469(c)]; Native American Grave                    ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
                                               system in Dallas County. Selected main                  Protection and Repatriation Act                       SUMMARY:   FMCSA announces its
                                               lane widening, ramp improvements, and                   (NAGPRA) [25 U.S.C. 3001–3013].                       decision to grant requests from 10
                                               restriping will be utilized to create the                  6. Social and Economic: Civil Rights               individuals for exemptions from the
                                               proposed number of lanes and                            Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000(d)-                       Agency’s physical qualifications
                                               reversible managed lanes. The limits                    2000(d)(1)]; American Indian Religious                standard concerning hearing for
                                               and general configuration of the existing               Freedom Act [42 U.S.C. 1996]; Farmland                interstate drivers. The current regulation
                                               IH 30 frontage roads will not be altered,               Protection Policy Act (FPPA) [7 U.S.C.                prohibits hearing impaired individuals
                                               except that one-way collector-                          4201–4209].                                           from operating CMVs in interstate
                                               distributor roadways between Ballpark                      7. Wetlands and Water Resources:
                                                                                                                                                             commerce. After notice and opportunity
                                               Way and Six Flags Drive will be                         Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1251–1377];
                                                                                                                                                             for public comment, the Agency
                                               constructed to facilitate access between                Land and Water Conservation Fund
                                                                                                                                                             concluded that granting exemptions for
                                               the IH 30 ramps and the local street                    (LWCF) [16 U.S.C. 4601–4604]; Safe
                                                                                                                                                             these drivers to operate property-
                                               network. The proposed project design                    Drinking Water Act (SDWA) [42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                                                                             carrying CMVs will provide a level of
                                               includes improvements for bicycle and                   300(f)-300(j)(6)]; Rivers and Harbors Act
                                                                                                                                                             safety that is equivalent to or greater
                                               pedestrian facilities, where practicable.               of 1899 [33 U.S.C. 401–406]; Wild and
                                                                                                                                                             than the level of safety maintained
                                               The purpose of the proposed project is                  Scenic Rivers Act [16 U.S.C. 1271–
                                                                                                                                                             without the exemptions. The
                                               to help address current and projected                   1287]; Emergency Wetlands Resources
                                                                                                                                                             exemptions are valid for a 2-year period
                                               travel demands, safety, and existing                    Act [16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931]; TEA–21
                                                                                                                                                             and may be renewed, and the
                                               facility design and operational                         Wetlands Mitigation [23 U.S.C.
                                                                                                                                                             exemptions preempt State laws and
                                               deficiencies in a manner compatible                     103(b)(6)(m), 133(b)(11)]; Flood Disaster
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                                                                                                                                                             regulations.
                                               with local, county and regional plans.                  Protection Act [42 U.S.C. 4001–4128].
                                                  The actions by TxDOT and the                            8. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990,                   DATES: The exemptions are effective
                                               Federal agencies, and the laws under                    Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988,                   September 21, 2015. The exemptions
                                               which such actions were taken, are                      Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898,                    expire on September 21, 2017.
                                               described in the final Environmental                    Federal Actions to Address                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                               Assessment (EA) for the project, for                    Environmental Justice in Minority                     Charles A. Horan, III, Director, Office of
                                               which a Finding of No Significant                       Populations and Low Income                            Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety, (202)


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                                               57030                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 182 / Monday, September 21, 2015 / Notices

                                               366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov,                         exemption applications is based on the                D. Exemptions Granted
                                               FMCSA, Department of Transportation,                    current medical literature and                          Following individualized assessments
                                               1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room                        information and the ‘‘Executive                       of the exemption applications, FMCSA
                                               W64–224, Washington, DC 20590–0001.                     Summary on Hearing, Vestibular                        grants exemptions from 49 CFR
                                               Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t.,             Function and Commercial Motor                         391.41(b)(11) to 10 individuals. Under
                                               Monday through Friday, except Federal                   Driving Safety’’ (the 2008 Evidence                   current FMCSA regulations, all of the 10
                                               holidays.                                               Report) presented to FMCSA on August                  drivers receiving exemptions from 49
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              26, 2008. The evidence report reached
                                                                                                                                                             CFR 391.41(b)(11) would have been
                                                                                                       two conclusions regarding the matter of
                                               A. Electronic Access                                                                                          considered physically qualified to drive
                                                                                                       hearing loss and CMV driver safety: (1)
                                                                                                                                                             a CMV in interstate commerce except
                                                  You may see all the comments online                  No studies that examined the
                                                                                                                                                             that they do not meet the hearing
                                               through the Federal Document                            relationship between hearing loss and
                                                                                                                                                             requirement. FMCSA has determined
                                               Management System (FDMS) at:                            crash risk exclusively among CMV
                                                                                                                                                             that the following 10 applicants should
                                               www.regulations.gov.                                    drivers were identified; and (2) evidence
                                                                                                                                                             be granted an exemption:
                                                  Docket: For access to the docket to                  from studies of the private driver license
                                               read background documents or                            holder population does not support the                Thomas J. Bertling
                                               comments, go to www.regulations.gov                     contention that individuals with hearing                Mr. Bertling, 58, holds Class A
                                               and/or Room W12–140 on the ground                       impairment are at an increased risk for               commercial driver’s license (CDL) in
                                               level of the West Building, 1200 New                    a crash. In addition, the Agency
                                                                                                                                                             Oregon.
                                               Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC,                      reviewed each applicant’s driving
                                               between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday                 record found in the CDLIS,1 for CDL                   Molly R. Bergstrom
                                               through Friday, except Federal holidays.                holders, and inspections recorded in                     Ms. Bergstrom, 37, holds an operator’s
                                                  Privacy Act: In accordance with 5                    MCMIS.2 For non-CDL holders, the                      license in Iowa.
                                               U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments                    Agency reviewed the driving records
                                               from the public to better inform its                    from the State licensing agency. Each                 John Luegene Huey, Jr.
                                               rulemaking process. DOT posts these                     applicant’s record demonstrated a safe                  Mr. Huey, 50, holds a Class A
                                               comments, without edit, including any                   driving history. The Agency believes the              commercial driver’s license (CDL) in
                                               personal information the commenter                      drivers covered by the exemptions do                  Texas.
                                               provides, to www.regulations.gov, as                    not pose a risk to public safety.
                                               described in the system of records                                                                            Jesus L. Javier
                                                                                                       C. Comments
                                               notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can                                                                              Mr. Javier, 24, holds an operator’s
                                               be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.                       On February 4, 2015, FMCSA                          license in New Jersey.
                                                                                                       published a notice of receipt of
                                               B. Background                                           exemption applications and requested                  Paul Robert Langlois
                                                  Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315,                  public comment on 10 individuals (FR                     Mr. Langlois, 36, holds an operator’s
                                               FMCSA may grant an exemption from                       80 6161; Docket number FMCSA–2015–                    license in Ohio.
                                               the safety regulations for a 2-year period              02134). The comment period ended on
                                               if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely               March 6, 2015. In response to this                    Samuel E. Lovley
                                               achieve a level of safety that is                       notice, two comments were received;                      Mr. Lovley, 32, holds an operator’s
                                               equivalent to or greater than the level                 one in support of drivers wearing                     license in Pennsylvania.
                                               that would be achieved absent such                      hearing aids while driving and one
                                               exemption.’’ The statute also allows the                expressing safety concerns for the far                Scott M. Putman
                                               Agency to renew exemptions at the end                   reaching ramifications to the                           Mr. Putman, 35, holds a Class A
                                               of the 2-year period. The current                       commercial driving industry of allowing               commercial driver’s license (CDL) in
                                               provisions of the FMCSRs concerning                     deaf drivers to test, train and/or drive              Pennsylvania.
                                               hearing state that a person is physically               commercially. The Transportation
                                                                                                       Companies expressed concern for                       Laird Lamont Smith
                                               qualified to drive a CMV if that person:
                                                 First perceives a forced whispered voice in           process by which exemptions are                         Mr. Smith, 59, holds a Class A
                                               the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or          granted from parts of 49 CFR 391.41, the              commercial driver’s license (CDL) in
                                               without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested          increased volume of exemptions, and                   Utah.
                                               by use of an audiometric device, does not               the need to rely on scientific support as
                                                                                                                                                             Kirk A. Soneson
                                               have an average hearing loss in the better ear          a basis for granting the exemptions.
                                               greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz,           FMCSA acknowledges these concerns                        Mr. Soneson, 48, holds an operator’s
                                               and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid              and may consider in the future, the                   license in Ohio.
                                               when the audiometric device is calibrated to            initial steps to a formal rulemaking
                                               American National Standard (formerly ASA                                                                      Christopher King Warner
                                               Standard) Z24.5—1951.
                                                                                                       process to revise unnecessary physical
                                                                                                       qualification standards.                                Mr. Warner, 50, holds a Class A
                                               49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). This standard was                                                                       commercial driver’s license (CDL) in
                                               adopted in 1970, with a revision in 1971                   1 Commercial Driver License Information System     New York.
                                               to allow drivers to be qualified under                  (CDLIS) is an information system that allows the
                                                                                                       exchange of commercial driver licensing               Basis for Exemption
                                               this standard while wearing a hearing
                                                                                                       information among all the States. CDLIS includes        Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315,
                                               aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970)
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                                                                                                       the databases of 51 licensing jurisdictions and the
                                               and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 1971).                         CDLIS Central Site, all connected by a                FMCSA may grant an exemption from
                                                 FMCSA grants 10 individuals an                        telecommunications network.                           the hearing standard in 49 CFR
                                               exemption from § 391.41(b)(11)                             2 Motor Carrier Management Information System      391.41(b)(11) if the exemption is likely
                                               concerning hearing to enable them to                    (MCMIS) is an information system that captures        to achieve an equivalent or greater level
                                                                                                       data from field offices through SAFETYNET,
                                               operate property-carrying CMVs in                       CAPRI, and other sources. It is a source for FMCSA
                                                                                                                                                             of safety than would be achieved
                                               interstate commerce for a 2-year period.                inspection, crash, compliance review, safety audit,   without the exemption. With the
                                               The Agency’s decision on these                          and registration data.                                exemption, applicants can drive in


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                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 182 / Monday, September 21, 2015 / Notices                                             57031

                                               interstate commerce. Thus, the Agency’s                 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          www.regulations.gov, and follow the
                                               analysis focuses on whether an equal or                                                                       online instructions for accessing the
                                               greater level of safety is likely to be                 Federal Motor Carrier Safety                          dockets, or go to the street address listed
                                               achieved by permitting each of these                    Administration                                        above.
                                               drivers to drive in interstate commerce                                                                          Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
                                                                                                       [Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0255]
                                               as opposed to restricting him or her to                                                                       the electronic form of all comments
                                               driving in intrastate commerce. The                     Agency Information Collection                         received into any of our dockets by the
                                               driver must comply with the terms and                   Activities; Extension of a Currently-                 name of the individual submitting the
                                               conditions of the exemption. This                       Approved Information Collection                       comment (or signing the comment, if
                                               includes reporting any crashes or                       Request: Transportation of Household                  submitted on behalf of an association,
                                                                                                       Goods; Consumer Protection                            business, labor union, etc.). You may
                                               accidents as defined in 49 CFR 390.5
                                                                                                                                                             review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
                                               and reporting all citations and                         AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety                  Statement for the Federal Docket
                                               convictions for disqualifying offenses                  Administration (FMCSA), DOT.                          Management System published in the
                                               under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 CFR 391.                                                                         Federal Register on January 17, 2008
                                                                                                       ACTION: Notice and request for
                                               Conclusion                                              information.                                          (73 FR 3316), or you may visit http://
                                                                                                                                                             edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdfE8-
                                                  The Agency is granting exemptions                    SUMMARY:    In accordance with the                    794.pdf.
                                               from the hearing standard, 49 CFR                       Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,                         Public Participation: The Federal
                                               391.41(b)(11), to 10 individuals based                  FMCSA announces its plan to submit                    eRulemaking Portal is available 24
                                               on an evaluation of each driver’s safety                the Information Collection Request (ICR)              hours each day, 365 days each year. You
                                               experience. Safety analysis of                          described below to the Office of                      can obtain electronic submission and
                                               information relating to these 10                        Management and Budget (OMB) for its                   retrieval help and guidelines under the
                                               applicants meets the burden of showing                  review and approval. The FMCSA                        ‘‘help’’ section of the Federal
                                               that granting the exemptions would                      requests approval to extend an ICR                    eRulemaking Portal Web site. If you
                                               achieve a level of safety that is                       titled, ‘‘Transportation of Household                 want us to notify you that we received
                                               equivalent to or greater than the level                 Goods; Consumer Protection.’’ The                     your comments, please include a self-
                                               that would be achieved without the                      information collected will be used to                 addressed, stamped envelope or
                                                                                                       help regulate motor carriers transporting             postcard, or print the acknowledgement
                                               exemption. In accordance with 49
                                                                                                       household goods (HHG) for individual                  page that appears after submitting
                                               U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be
                                                                                                       shippers. FMCSA invites public                        comments online. Comments received
                                               valid for 2 years from the effective date               comment on the ICR.                                   after the comment closing date will be
                                               with annual recertification required
                                                                                                       DATES: We must receive your comments                  included in the docket and will be
                                               unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The                                                                          considered to the extent practicable.
                                                                                                       on or before November 20, 2015.
                                               exemption will be revoked if the
                                                                                                       ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
                                               following occurs: (1) The person fails to
                                                                                                       identified by Federal Docket                          Kenneth Rodgers, Chief, Commercial
                                               comply with the terms and conditions
                                                                                                       Management System (FDMS) Docket                       Enforcement Division, Federal Motor
                                               of the exemption; (2) the exemption has                                                                       Carrier Safety Administration, West
                                               resulted in a lower level of safety than                Number FMCSA–2015–0255 using any
                                                                                                       of the following methods:                             Building 6th Floor, 1200 New Jersey
                                               was maintained prior to being granted;
                                                                                                          • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://              Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
                                               or (3) continuation of the exemption                                                                          Telephone: 202–366–0073; email
                                                                                                       www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                               would not be consistent with the goals                  instructions for submitting comments.                 Kenneth.rodgers@dot.gov. Office hours
                                               and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and                      • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.                             are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday
                                               31315.                                                     • Mail: Docket Operations; U.S.                    through Friday, except Federal
                                                  FMCSA exempts the following 10                       Department of Transportation, 1200                    Holidays.
                                               drivers for a period of 2 years from the                New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building,                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               physical qualification standard                         Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 20590–
                                               concerning hearing: Thomas J. Bertling                  0001.                                                 Background
                                               (OR); Molly R. Bergstrom (IA); John                        • Hand Delivery or Courier: West                     The Motor Carrier Safety
                                               Luegene Huey, Jr. (TX); Jesus L. Javier                 Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–                     Improvement Act of 1999 (MCSIA) (Pub.
                                               (NJ); Paul Robert Langlois (OH); Samuel                 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                      L. 106–159, 113 Stat. 1748, Dec. 9, 1999)
                                               E. Lovley (PA); Scott M. Putman (PA);                   Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5                  authorized the Secretary of
                                               Laird Lamont Smith (UT); Kirk A.                        p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday,                     Transportation (Secretary) to regulate
                                               Soneson (OH); and Christopher King                      except Federal holidays.                              household goods carriers engaged in
                                               Warner (NY).                                               Instructions: All submissions must                 interstate operations for individual
                                                                                                       include the Agency name and docket                    shippers. In earlier legislation, Congress
                                                 Issued on: September 8, 2015.                         number. For detailed instructions on                  abolished the former Interstate
                                               Larry W. Minor,                                         submitting comments and additional                    Commerce Commission and transferred
                                               Associate Administrator for Policy.                     information on the exemption process,                 the Commission’s jurisdiction over
                                               [FR Doc. 2015–23591 Filed 9–18–15; 8:45 am]             see the Public Participation heading                  household goods transportation to the
                                                                                                       below. Note that all comments received                U.S. Department of Transportation
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                               BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
                                                                                                       will be posted without change to http://              (DOT) (ICC Termination Act of 1995,
                                                                                                       www.regulations.gov, including any                    Pub. L. 104–88, 109 Stat. 803, Dec. 29
                                                                                                       personal information provided. Please                 1995). Prior to FMCSA’s establishment,
                                                                                                       see the Privacy Act heading below.                    the Secretary delegated this household
                                                                                                          Docket: For access to the docket to                goods jurisdiction to the Federal
                                                                                                       read background documents or                          Highway Administration, FMCSA’s
                                                                                                       comments received, go to http://                      predecessor organization within DOT.


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:38:36
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:38:36
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of final disposition.
DatesThe exemptions are effective September 21, 2015. The exemptions expire on September 21, 2017.
ContactCharles A. Horan, III, Director, Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety, (202) 366-4001, [email protected], FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-224, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FR Citation80 FR 57029 

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