81 FR 90050 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 239 (December 13, 2016)

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 100 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.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90050-90052]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29833]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-1998-4334; FMCSA-1999-5578; FMCSA-1999-6156; FMCSA-
2001-9561; FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-2006-24015; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-
2008-0021; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-2008-0174; FMCSA-2009-0154; FMCSA-
2009-0206; FMCSA-2009-0291; FMCSA-2010-0050; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-
2010-0114; FMCSA-2011-0324; FMCSA-2011-0379; FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-
2012-0106; FMCSA-2012-0159; FMCSA-2012-0160; FMCSA-2012-0161; FMCSA-
2014-0002; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0006; FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-
2014-0008]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 100 
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 January 
12, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, 202-366-4001, [email protected], 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-1998-4334; FMCSA-1999-5578; 
FMCSA-1999-6156; FMCSA-2001-9561; FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-2006-24015; 
FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2008-0021; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-2008-0174; 
FMCSA-2009-0154; FMCSA-2009-0206; FMCSA-2009-0291; FMCSA-2010-0050; 
FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2010-0114; FMCSA-2011-0324; FMCSA-2011-0379; 
FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-2012-0106; FMCSA-2012-0159; FMCSA-2012-0160; 
FMCSA-2012-0161; FMCSA-2014-0002; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0006; 
FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0008 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 5p.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 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 driver 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 100 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

[[Page 90051]]

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 100 applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining 
an exemption from the vision requirement (63 FR 66227; 64 FR 16520; 64 
FR 27027; 64 FR 51568; 64 FR 54948; 65 FR 159; 66 FR 30502; 66 FR 
41654; 66 FR 66969; 67 FR 10471; 67 FR 10475; 67 FR 17102; 67 FR 19798; 
68 FR 44837; 68 FR 69432; 69 FR 8260; 69 FR 17267; 69 FR 19611; 70 FR 
41811; 71 FR 644; 71 FR 6824; 71 FR 14566; 71 FR 14567; 71 FR 14568; 71 
FR 19604; 71 FR 26601; 71 FR 30227; 71 FR 30228; 71 FR 32183; 71 FR 
41310; 72 FR 52423; 73 FR 15254; 73 FR 15567; 73 FR 27014; 73 FR 27015; 
73 FR 28187; 73 FR 35195; 73 FR 35196; 73 FR 35197; 73 FR 35198; 73 FR 
35199; 73 FR 35200; 73 FR 35201; 73 FR 36955; 73 FR 38497; 73 FR 38498; 
73 FR 38499; 73 FR 42403; 73 FR 48273; 73 FR 48275; 74 FR 37299; 74 FR 
43220; 74 FR 48344; 74 FR 57553; 74 FR 65842; 75 FR 9482; 75 FR 14656; 
75 FR 19674; 75 FR 20881; 75 FR 25918; 75 FR 25919; 75 FR 27622; 75 FR 
28682; 75 FR 34210; 75 FR 34211; 75 FR 34212; 75 FR 36778; 75 FR 36779; 
75 FR 38602; 75 FR 39729; 75 FR 44051; 77 FR 7657; 77 10604; 77 FR 
15184; 77 FR 17115; 77 FR 22059; 77 FR 23797; 77 FR 26816; 77 FR 27847; 
77 FR 27850; 77 FR 29447; 77 FR 36336; 77 FR 36338; 77 FR 38381; 77 FR 
38384; 77 FR 38386; 77 FR 40945; 77 FR 40946; 77 FR 41879; 77 FR 44708; 
77 FR 44946; 77 FR 46153; 77 FR 46795; 77 FR 51846; 77 FR 52391; 79 FR 
10606; 79 FR 10619; 79 FR 14571; 79 FR 17641; 79 FR 18390; 79 FR 21996; 
79 FR 22003; 79 FR 23797; 79 FR 27043; 79 FR 28588; 79 FR 29495; 79 FR 
35212; 79 FR 35218; 79 FR 35220; 79 FR 37842; 79 FR 37843; 79 FR 38659; 
79 FR 38661; 79 FR 40945; 79 FR 41735; 79 FR 41737; 79 FR 41740; 79 FR 
46153; 79 FR 47175; 79 FR 53514; 79 FR 56102). 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 August 
and are discussed below:
    As of August 1, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 21 individuals have satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (64 FR 
54948; 65 FR 159; 66 FR 41654; 66 FR 66969; 67 FR 10471; 67 FR 10475; 
67 FR 17102; 67 FR 19798; 68 FR 44837; 68 FR 69432; 69 FR 8260; 69 FR 
17267; 69 FR 19611; 70 FR 41811; 71 FR 644; 71 FR 6824; 71 FR 14568; 71 
FR 19604; 71 FR 26601; 71 FR 30228; 71 FR 32183; 71 FR 41310; 72 FR 
52423; 73 FR 15254; 73 FR 15567; 73 FR 27014; 73 FR 27015; 73 FR 36955; 
73 FR 42403; 74 FR 43220; 74 FR 57553; 74 FR 65842; 75 FR 9482; 75 FR 
14656; 75 FR 19674; 75 FR 20881; 75 FR 25918; 75 FR 27622; 75 FR 28682; 
75 FR 36778; 75 FR 36779; 75 FR 38602; 75 FR 39729; 77 FR 7657; 77 
10604; 77 FR 15184; 77 FR 17115; 77 FR 22059; 77 FR 23797; 77 FR 26816; 
77 FR 27847; 77 FR 27850; 77 FR 29447; 77 FR 36338; 77 FR 38384; 77 FR 
38386; 77 FR 44946; 79 FR 10606; 79 FR 10619; 79 FR 14571; 79 FR 17641; 
79 FR 18390; 79 FR 21996; 79 FR 22003; 79 FR 23797; 79 FR 27043; 79 FR 
28588; 79 FR 29495; 79 FR 35212; 79 FR 35218; 79 FR 35220; 79 FR 37842; 
79 FR 37843; 79 FR 47175):

Lloyd J. Botsford (MO)
Brad T. Braegger (UT)
Ronald D. Danberry (MN)
Frank J. Faria (CA)
Juneau Faulkner (GA)
Curtis N. Fulbright (NC)
Randy M. Garcia (NM)
Dean D. Hawks (WI)
Larry L. Jarvis (VA)
Julian A. Mancha (TX)
Randall L. Mathis (AL)
Larry G. Nikkel (WA)
Michael J. Rankin (OH)
Justin T. Richman (IN)
Kevin L. Routin (KY)
Andrew W. Schollett (CO)
Michael D. Singleton (IN)
Roberto E. Soto (TX)
Gary R. Thomas (OH)
Barney J. Wade (MS)
Wade W. Ward (WY)
    The drivers were included in one of the following dockets: Docket 
Nos. FMCSA-1999-6156; FMCSA-2001-9561; FMCSA-2001-11426; FMCSA-2006-
24015; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2008-0021; FMCSA-2009-0206; FMCSA-2009-
0291; FMCSA-2010-0050; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2011-0324; FCMSA-2011-
0379; FMCSA-2012-0104; FMCSA-2014-0002; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-
0006. Their exemptions are effective as of August 1, 2016 and will 
expire on August 1, 2018.
    As of August 6, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 8 individuals have satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (64 FR 
27027; 64 FR 51568; 71 FR 14566; 71 FR 30227; 73 FR 27014; 75 FR 25918; 
75 FR 38602; 75 FR 39729; 77 FR 15184; 77 FR 27850; 77 FR 33017; 77 FR 
36336; 77 FR 36338; 77 FR 40946; 77 FR 44708; 77 FR 46795; 79 FR 
38661):

William L. Martin (OR)
Richard L. Miller (IN)
Gerardus C. Molenaar (PA)
James R. Morgan (MI)
Lance C. Phares (NY)
Willard L. Riggle (IN)
Richard D. Tucker II (NC)
Jay Turner (OH)

    The drivers were included in one of the following dockets: Docket 
No. FMCSA-1999-5578; FMCSA-2006-24015; FMCSA-2010-0082; FMCSA-2011-
0379; FMCSA-2012-0106; FMCSA-2012-0159. Their exemptions are effective 
as of August 6, 2016 and will expire on August 6, 2018.
    As of August 8, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 25 individuals have satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (79 FR 
38659; 79 FR 53514):

Jimmy A. Baker (TX)
Frank B. Belenchia (TN)
Ricky W. Bettes (TX)
Antonio A. Calixto (MN)
James W. Carter, Jr. (KS)
Ronald G. Daniels (MO)
Larry G. Davis (TN)
Michael C. Doheny (CT)
George P. Ford (NC)
Todd M. Harguth (MN)
Dennis W. Helgeson (MN)
Ronnie L. Henry (KS)
Johnny L. Irving (MS)
Kevin L. Jones (SC)
Keith A. Kelley (ME)
David L. Miller (OH)
Earl L. Mokma (MI)
Donald L. Nisbet (WA)
David Perkins (NY)
Harry W. Root (MN)
Paul W. Sorenson (UT)
Randall H. Tempel (MT)
Cory J. Tivnan (WA)
Ricky W. Witt (IA)

[[Page 90052]]

John D. Woods (MI)

    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2014-0007. Their exemptions are effective as of August 8, 2016 
and will expire on August 8, 2018.
    As of August 9, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315, the following 8 individuals have satisfied the conditions for 
obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (75 FR 
34210; 75 FR 34211; 75 FR 34212; 75 FR 47888; 77 FR 40945; 79 FR 
40945):

Mark S. Berkheimer (PA)
Rici W. Giesseman (OH)
Michael A. Jabro (MI)
Michael M. Martinez (NM)
Buddy W. Myrick (TX)
Alan J. Reynaldos (NJ)
Charles L. Rill, Sr. (MD)
Roger Sulfridge (KY)

    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2010-0114. Their exemptions are effective as of August 9, 2016 
and will expire on August 9, 2018.
    As of August 18, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 32 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (63 FR 
66227; 64 FR 16520; 71 FR 14567; 71 FR 30228; 73 FR 28187; 73 FR 35195; 
73 FR 35196; 73 FR 35197; 73 FR 35198; 73 FR 35199; 73 FR 35200; 73 FR 
35201; 73 FR 38497; 38498; 73 FR 38499; 73 FR 48273; 73 FR 48275; 74 FR 
37299; 74 FR 48344; 75 FR 25919; 75 FR 39729; 75 FR 44051; 77 FR 40946; 
77 FR 46153; 79 FR 46153):

Catarino Aispuro (OR)
Gary R. Andersen (NE)
Donald L. Carman (OH)
Christopher R. Cone (GA)
Walter O. Connelly (WA)
Armando P. D'Angeli (PA)
Henry L. Donvian (WV)
Roger D. Elders (MI)
James F. Epperson (IN)
Lucious J. Erwin (TX)
Riche Ford (CO)
Kevin K. Friedel (NY)
Steven G. Harter (OR)
George F. Hernandez, Jr. (AZ)
Andrew C. Kelly (WV)
Jason W. King (MT)
Billy J. Lewis (LA)
Robert W. McMillian (MA)
Richard A. Peterson (OR)
Chad M. Quarles (AL)
Carroll G. Quisenberry (KY)
Ryan J. Reimann (WI)
Jacob H. Riggle (OK)
Brandon J. See (IA)
Ricky L. Shepler (PA)
LeTroy D. Sims (SC)
John L. Stone (PA)
Nils S. Thornberg (OR)
Daniel W. Toppings (WV)
Christopher R. Whitson (NC)
Charles A. Winchell (OK)
Aaron E. Wright (MI)

    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-1999-4334; FMCSA-2006-24015; FMCSA-2008-0106; FMCSA-2008-0174; 
FMCSA-2009-0154; FMCSA-2010-0082. Their exemptions are effective as of 
August 18, 2016 and will expire on August 18, 2018.
    As of August 19, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 2 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (79 FR 
41737; 79 FR 56102):
Leamon V. Manchester (LA)
Leverne F. Schilte, Jr. (OH)

    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2014-0008. Their exemptions are effective as of August 19, 2016 
and will expire on August 19, 2018.
    As of August 27, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 2 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (77 FR 
38381; 77 FR 51846; 79 FR 41740):

Tyrane Harper (AL)
Gregory S. Smith (AR)
    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2012-0160. Their exemptions are effective as of August 27, 2016 
and will expire on August 27, 2018.
    As of August 29, 2016, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315, the following 2 individuals have satisfied the conditions 
for obtaining a renewed exemption from the vision requirements (77 FR 
41879; 77 FR 52391; 79 FR 41735):

Ricky W. Goins (TN)
Clayton Schroeder (MN)
    The drivers were included on the following docket: Docket No. 
FMCSA-2012-0161. Their exemptions are effective as of August 29, 2016 
and will expire on August 29, 2018.

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 100 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: December 2, 2016.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016-29833 Filed 12-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P