83_FR_1227 83 FR 1220 - Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption; Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. (TRAA)

83 FR 1220 - Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption; Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. (TRAA)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 7 (January 10, 2018)

Page Range1220-1222
FR Document2018-00247

FMCSA announces that the Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. (TRAA) has requested an exemption from the requirement that a motor carrier install and require each of its drivers to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to record the driver's hours-of-service (HOS) TRAA has requested a 5-year exemption for all operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) owned or leased to providers of motor vehicle towing, recovery and roadside repair services while providing such services. TRAA states that towing industry operations represent a unique and vital segment of the overall transportation industry in America that warrants exemption from the ELD regulations, and the failure to grant this exemption will cause confusion and create an overly complex regulatory framework which will pose an undue burden on towers and their customers without any measurable benefit to public safety. TRAA believes that granting this exemption will have a positive impact on highway safety by assuring that towing operators can still respond to service requests in the most expeditious and effective manner possible. FMCSA requests public comment on TRAA's application for exemption.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1220-1222]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00247]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 395

[Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0372]


Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption; Towing 
and Recovery Association of America, Inc. (TRAA)

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

ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that the Towing and Recovery Association of 
America, Inc. (TRAA) has requested an exemption from the requirement 
that a motor carrier install and require each of its drivers to use an 
electronic logging device (ELD) to record the driver's

[[Page 1221]]

hours-of-service (HOS) TRAA has requested a 5-year exemption for all 
operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) owned or leased to 
providers of motor vehicle towing, recovery and roadside repair 
services while providing such services. TRAA states that towing 
industry operations represent a unique and vital segment of the overall 
transportation industry in America that warrants exemption from the ELD 
regulations, and the failure to grant this exemption will cause 
confusion and create an overly complex regulatory framework which will 
pose an undue burden on towers and their customers without any 
measurable benefit to public safety. TRAA believes that granting this 
exemption will have a positive impact on highway safety by assuring 
that towing operators can still respond to service requests in the most 
expeditious and effective manner possible. FMCSA requests public 
comment on TRAA's application for exemption.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Number FMCSA-2017-0372 by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. See the 
Public Participation and Request for Comments section below for further 
information.
     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 or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Each submission must include the Agency name and the 
docket number for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments 
received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading 
below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit 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., ET, Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The on-line FDMS is available 24 hours each 
day, 365 days each year.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning this 
notice, contact Mr. Thomas Yager, Chief, FMCSA Driver and Carrier 
Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety 
Standards; Telephone: 614-942-6477. Email: [email protected]. If you have 
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact 
Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and 
related materials.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice (FMCSA-2017-0372), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for 
suggestions or recommendations. 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 the Agency can contact you if it has questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comments online, go to www.regulations.gov and put 
the docket number, ``FMCSA-2017-0372'' in the ``Keyword'' box, and 
click ``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on ``Comment 
Now!'' button and type your comment into the text box in 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. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they 
reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard 
or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received 
during the comment period and may grant or not grant this application 
based on your comments.

II. Legal Basis

    FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant 
exemptions from certain parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Regulations (FMCSRs). FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption 
request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must 
provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant 
to the application, including any safety analyses that have been 
conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public 
comment on the request.
    The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted, 
and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a 
level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of 
the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 
381.315(b)) with the reasons for denying or granting the application 
and, if granted, the name of the person or class of persons receiving 
the exemption, and the regulatory provision from which the exemption is 
granted. The notice must also specify the effective period and explain 
the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed 
(49 CFR 381.300(b)).

III. Request for Exemption

    TRAA is the national towing association representing more than 
35,000 towing companies in all 50 states. The entire industry is 
comprised of approximately 210,000 commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and 
350,000 commercial drivers operated by the over 35,000 companies. 
According to TRAA, the vast majority of towing industry companies are 
small, family-owned operations serving rural America.
    Tow truck operators often work close to their terminals, usually 
operating within the scope of the short-haul exemption [49 CFR Section 
395.1(e)(1)] thereby documenting hours-of-service (HOS) compliance with 
time card records kept at their dispatch office. Occasionally, and 
often without prior knowledge, these tow operators will be called upon 
to provide services that will require them to complete a record of duty 
status (RODS).
    TRAA states that few towing companies will be able to utilize the 
exemption to the ELD mandate found in 49 CFR Section 395.8(iii)(a)(1) 
as it relates to completion of a RODS eight or fewer days in any 30-day 
period. Typically, only a few drivers at any one towing company are 
currently required

[[Page 1222]]

to complete a RODS and usually most of the drivers lack the required 
class of license to substitute for these select few drivers, meaning 
the workload that requires operation outside of the local exemption 
cannot be equalized or shared among the entire driver pool at any one 
company as could be done at a traditional motor carrier. Thus, one or 
two drivers will often be designated to conduct these longer, 
interstate trips that require RODS.
    TRAA asserts that the addition of the ELD rule creates confusing 
and burdensome scenarios by overlapping and conflicting regulations 
placed on towing industry operators. The nature of the towing industry 
has drivers switching between intrastate and interstate regulations 
multiple times throughout the day, sometimes as often as between each 
call. Additionally, drivers employed in the towing industry often 
switch between commercial and non-commercial motor vehicles throughout 
their shift. TRAA believes that to mandate an electronic means of 
documenting HOS for only a small part of each towers daily operations 
creates an undue burden.
    Moreover, an exemption from the ELD mandate helps promote the same 
safety goals inherent in the already existing exemption in 49 CFR 
Section 390.23(a)(3). This provision exempts towers who are responding 
to calls from law enforcement from the requirement to keep RODS. The 
same need to respond quickly to a highway emergency that requires the 
exemption in Section 390.23(a)(3) exists when a service call comes from 
a stranded motorist rather than law enforcement. The drivers of these 
vehicles sitting roadside are at the same risk as those addressed by 
law enforcement. The current ELD proposal will impact the ability of 
tow companies to respond to these owners' requests and still be 
compliant with the regulatory requirements.
    TRAA states that, as a practical matter, towers will be required to 
install and maintain ELDs in all of their equipment, even seldom used 
spare equipment. It is common practice in the towing industry to 
maintain spare equipment in a state of readiness, as do other first 
responder agencies to insure complete readiness for any incident. Due 
to the complex nature of this and the overlapping scenarios where an 
ELD may be required, most towers will install, pay service for and 
utilize costly ELDs even when not required to do so by the regulations 
to avoid harsh penalties such as out of service orders and expensive 
fines. TRAA firmly believes it is appropriate to exempt towers from the 
ELD regulation, and without an exemption from the ELD regulation 
towers' responsiveness to their customers and the motoring public would 
be severely reduced, and costs for towing services would increase 
commeasurably. This will place an unfair burden on the motoring public 
at large that has not been accounted for in the cost benefit analysis 
for this regulation.
    According to TRAA, towing industry operations represent a unique 
and vital segment of the overall transportation industry in America 
that warrants exemption from the ELD regulation. The failure to grant 
this exemption will cause confusion and create an overly complex 
regulatory framework which will pose an undue burden on towers and 
their customers without any measurable benefit to public safety.

IV. Method To Ensure an Equivalent or Greater Level of Safety

    According to TRAA, granting this exemption will have no negative 
impact on public safety or compliance with the HOS regulations by the 
towing industry companies given that most operate under the short haul 
or local provisions found in 49 CFR 395.1(e)(1) for drivers of vehicles 
requiring a commercial driver's license (CDL), and 49 CFR 395.1(e)(2) 
for drivers of CMVs not requiring a CDL. Instead, the exception will 
apply only to the small percentage of tow drivers who operate outside 
these exceptions on longer, interstate trips. The towing industry will 
maintain a level of safety equal to, or greater than would be achieved 
while using ELDs by fully complying with the current HOS regulations 
and not having undue interruption to their current scheduling and 
staffing methods that have served the industry well in the past.
    A copy of TRAA's application for exemption is available for review 
in the docket for this notice.

    Issued on: December 29, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-00247 Filed 1-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P



                                                    1220                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                    for this exclusion, the collocation must                the FCC, the National Conference on                    delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
                                                    undergo historic preservation review as                 State Historic Preservation Officers, and              12th St. SW, Room TW–A325,
                                                    required by the rules of the Advisory                   the National Association of Tribal                     Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours
                                                    Council as revised or supplemented by                   Historic Preservation Officers, and                    are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand
                                                    the Wireless Facilities NPA and the                     thereafter providing them with written                 deliveries must be held together with
                                                    Collocation NPA. As provided in the                     notice of the withdrawal.                              rubber bands or fasteners. Any
                                                    Wireless Facilities NPA, such review is                    2. In the event the FCC determines                  envelopes and boxes must be disposed
                                                    limited to effects from the collocation                 that this Program Comment is not                       of before entering the building.
                                                    and shall not include consideration of                  operating as intended, or is no longer                   • Commercial overnight mail (other
                                                    effects on historic properties from the                 necessary, the FCC, after consultation                 than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
                                                    underlying tower.                                       with the parties identified in section                 and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050
                                                                                                            VI.B.1 above, shall send written notice                Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction,
                                                    V. Additional Provisions Relating to                    to the Advisory Council of its intent to
                                                    Tribal Nations                                                                                                 Annapolis, MD 20701.
                                                                                                            withdraw.                                                • U.S. Postal Service first-class,
                                                      This Program Comment does not                            C. Periodic Meetings. Throughout the                Express, and Priority mail must be
                                                    apply on Tribal lands unless the                        duration of this Program Comment, the                  addressed to 445 12th Street SW,
                                                    relevant Tribal Nation has provided the                 Advisory Council and the FCC shall                     Washington, DC 20554.
                                                    FCC with a written notice agreeing to its               meet annually on or about the                            People with Disabilities. To request
                                                    application on Tribal lands.                            anniversary of the effective date of this              materials in accessible formats for
                                                      A Tribal Nation may request direct                    Program Comment. The FCC and the                       people with disabilities (Braille, large
                                                    government-to-government consultation                   Advisory Council will discuss the                      print, electronic files, audio format),
                                                    with the FCC at any time with respect                   effectiveness of this Program Comment,                 send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call
                                                    to a Twilight Tower or any collocation                  including any issues related to improper               the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental
                                                    thereon. The FCC will respond to any                    implementation, and will discuss any                   Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530
                                                    such request in a manner consistent                     potential amendments that would                        (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY).
                                                    with its responsibility toward Tribal                   improve its effectiveness.                               14. This document does not contain
                                                    Nations. When indicated by the                             Complaints Regarding                                proposed information collection
                                                    circumstances, and if the request is in                 Implementation of This Program                         requirements subject to the Paperwork
                                                    writing and supported by substantial                    Comment. Members of the public may                     Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–
                                                    evidence as described in paragraph                      refer any complaints regarding the                     13. In addition, therefore, it does not
                                                    IV.7., the FCC shall treat a request for                implementation of this Program                         contain any proposed information
                                                    consultation as a complaint against the                 Comment to the FCC. The FCC will                       collection burden for small business
                                                    proposed collocation and shall notify                   handle those complaints consistent with                concerns with fewer than 25 employees,
                                                    the tower owner accordingly.                            section XI of the Wireless Facilities                  pursuant to the Small Business
                                                      A Tribal Nation may provide                           NPA.                                                   Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public
                                                    confidential supporting evidence or                        13. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and                  Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
                                                    other relevant information relating to a                1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR
                                                    historic property of religious or cultural              1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file              Federal Communications Commission.
                                                    significance. The FCC shall protect all                 comments and reply comments on or                      Marlene H. Dortch,
                                                    confidential information consistent with                before the dates indicated on the first                Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
                                                    section IV.I of the Wireless Facilities                 page of this document. Comments may                    [FR Doc. 2018–00292 Filed 1–9–18; 8:45 am]
                                                    NPA.                                                    be filed using the Commission’s                        BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
                                                                                                            Electronic Comment Filing System
                                                    VI. Administrative Provisions
                                                                                                            (ECFS). Electronic Filing of Documents
                                                      A. Definitions. Unless otherwise                      in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR                       DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                    defined in this Program Comment, the                    24121 (1998).
                                                    terms used here shall have the meanings                    • Electronic Filers: Comments may be                Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                                    ascribed to them under 36 CFR part 800                  filed electronically using the internet by             Administration
                                                    as modified or supplemented by the                      accessing the ECFS: http://apps.fcc.gov/
                                                    Collocation NPA or Wireless Facilities                  ecfs/.                                                 49 CFR Part 395
                                                    NPA.                                                       • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to
                                                      B. Duration. This Program Comment                                                                            [Docket No. FMCSA–2017–0372]
                                                                                                            file by paper must file an original and
                                                    shall remain in force unless terminated                 one copy of each filing. If more than one              Hours of Service of Drivers:
                                                    or otherwise superseded by a                            docket or rulemaking number appears in                 Application for Exemption; Towing and
                                                    comprehensive Programmatic                              the caption of this proceeding, filers                 Recovery Association of America, Inc.
                                                    Agreement or the Advisory Council                       must submit two additional copies for                  (TRAA)
                                                    provides written notice of its intention                each additional docket or rulemaking
                                                    to withdraw the Program Comment                         number.                                                AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                                    pursuant to section VI.B.1, below, or the                  Filings can be sent by hand or                      Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
                                                    FCC provides written notice of its                      messenger delivery, by commercial                      ACTION: Notice of application for
                                                    intention not to continue to utilize this               overnight courier, or by first-class or
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                   exemption; request for comments.
                                                    Program Comment pursuant to section                     overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
                                                    VI.B.2, below.                                          filings must be addressed to the                       SUMMARY:   FMCSA announces that the
                                                      1. If the Advisory Council determines                 Commission’s Secretary, Office of the                  Towing and Recovery Association of
                                                    that the consideration of historic                      Secretary, Federal Communications                      America, Inc. (TRAA) has requested an
                                                    properties is not being carried out in a                Commission.                                            exemption from the requirement that a
                                                    manner consistent with section 106, the                    • All hand-delivered or messenger-                  motor carrier install and require each of
                                                    Advisory Council may withdraw this                      delivered paper filings for the                        its drivers to use an electronic logging
                                                    Program Comment after consulting with                   Commission’s Secretary must be                         device (ELD) to record the driver’s


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                            1221

                                                    hours-of-service (HOS) TRAA has                         from the public to better inform its                   II. Legal Basis
                                                    requested a 5-year exemption for all                    rulemaking process. DOT posts these                       FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C.
                                                    operators of commercial motor vehicles                  comments, without edit, including any                  31136(e) and 31315 to grant exemptions
                                                    (CMVs) owned or leased to providers of                  personal information the commenter                     from certain parts of the Federal Motor
                                                    motor vehicle towing, recovery and                      provides, to www.regulations.gov, as                   Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
                                                    roadside repair services while providing                described in the system of records                     FMCSA must publish a notice of each
                                                    such services. TRAA states that towing                  notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can                    exemption request in the Federal
                                                    industry operations represent a unique                  be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.                    Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The
                                                    and vital segment of the overall                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                   Agency must provide the public an
                                                    transportation industry in America that                 information concerning this notice,                    opportunity to inspect the information
                                                    warrants exemption from the ELD                         contact Mr. Thomas Yager, Chief,                       relevant to the application, including
                                                    regulations, and the failure to grant this              FMCSA Driver and Carrier Operations                    any safety analyses that have been
                                                    exemption will cause confusion and                      Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and                conducted. The Agency must also
                                                    create an overly complex regulatory                     Vehicle Safety Standards; Telephone:                   provide an opportunity for public
                                                    framework which will pose an undue                      614–942–6477. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov.                    comment on the request.
                                                    burden on towers and their customers                    If you have questions on viewing or                       The Agency reviews safety analyses
                                                    without any measurable benefit to                       submitting material to the docket,                     and public comments submitted, and
                                                    public safety. TRAA believes that                       contact Docket Services, telephone (202)               determines whether granting the
                                                    granting this exemption will have a                     366–9826.                                              exemption would likely achieve a level
                                                    positive impact on highway safety by                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                             of safety equivalent to, or greater than,
                                                    assuring that towing operators can still                                                                       the level that would be achieved by the
                                                    respond to service requests in the most                 I. Public Participation and Request for
                                                                                                                                                                   current regulation (49 CFR 381.305).
                                                    expeditious and effective manner                        Comments
                                                                                                                                                                   The decision of the Agency must be
                                                    possible. FMCSA requests public                           FMCSA encourages you to participate                  published in the Federal Register (49
                                                    comment on TRAA’s application for                       by submitting comments and related                     CFR 381.315(b)) with the reasons for
                                                    exemption.                                              materials.                                             denying or granting the application and,
                                                    DATES:  Comments must be received on                                                                           if granted, the name of the person or
                                                                                                            Submitting Comments
                                                    or before February 9, 2018.                                                                                    class of persons receiving the
                                                    ADDRESSES: You may submit comments                         If you submit a comment, please                     exemption, and the regulatory provision
                                                    identified by Federal Docket                            include the docket number for this                     from which the exemption is granted.
                                                    Management System (FDMS) Number                         notice (FMCSA–2017–0372), indicate                     The notice must also specify the
                                                    FMCSA–2017–0372 by any of the                           the specific section of this document to               effective period and explain the terms
                                                    following methods:                                      which the comment applies, and                         and conditions of the exemption. The
                                                      • Federal eRulemaking Portal:                         provide a reason for suggestions or                    exemption may be renewed (49 CFR
                                                    www.regulations.gov. See the Public                     recommendations. You may submit                        381.300(b)).
                                                    Participation and Request for Comments                  your comments and material online or
                                                                                                            by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but                    III. Request for Exemption
                                                    section below for further information.
                                                      • Mail: Docket Management Facility,                   please use only one of these means.                      TRAA is the national towing
                                                    U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200                 FMCSA recommends that you include                      association representing more than
                                                    New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building,                    your name and a mailing address, an                    35,000 towing companies in all 50
                                                    Ground Floor, Room W12–140,                             email address, or a phone number in the                states. The entire industry is comprised
                                                    Washington, DC 20590–0001.                              body of your document so the Agency                    of approximately 210,000 commercial
                                                      • Hand Delivery or Courier: West                      can contact you if it has questions                    motor vehicles (CMVs) and 350,000
                                                    Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–                       regarding your submission.                             commercial drivers operated by the over
                                                    140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,                            To submit your comments online, go                  35,000 companies. According to TRAA,
                                                    between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday                       to www.regulations.gov and put the                     the vast majority of towing industry
                                                    through Friday, except Federal holidays.                docket number, ‘‘FMCSA–2017–0372’’                     companies are small, family-owned
                                                      • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.                                in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box, and click                      operations serving rural America.
                                                      • Each submission must include the                    ‘‘Search.’’ When the new screen                          Tow truck operators often work close
                                                    Agency name and the docket number for                   appears, click on ‘‘Comment Now!’’                     to their terminals, usually operating
                                                    this notice. Note that DOT posts all                    button and type your comment into the                  within the scope of the short-haul
                                                    comments received without change to                     text box in the following screen. Choose               exemption [49 CFR Section 395.1(e)(1)]
                                                    www.regulations.gov, including any                      whether you are submitting your                        thereby documenting hours-of-service
                                                    personal information included in a                      comment as an individual or on behalf                  (HOS) compliance with time card
                                                    comment. Please see the Privacy Act                     of a third party, and then submit. If you              records kept at their dispatch office.
                                                    heading below.                                          submit your comments by mail or hand                   Occasionally, and often without prior
                                                      Docket: For access to the docket to                   delivery, submit them in an unbound                    knowledge, these tow operators will be
                                                    read background documents or                            format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches,              called upon to provide services that will
                                                    comments, go to www.regulations.gov at                  suitable for copying and electronic                    require them to complete a record of
                                                    any time or visit Room W12–140 on the                   filing. If you submit comments by mail                 duty status (RODS).
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    ground level of the West Building, 1200                 and would like to know that they                         TRAA states that few towing
                                                    New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,                       reached the facility, please enclose a                 companies will be able to utilize the
                                                    DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET,                      stamped, self-addressed postcard or                    exemption to the ELD mandate found in
                                                    Monday through Friday, except Federal                   envelope. FMCSA will consider all                      49 CFR Section 395.8(iii)(a)(1) as it
                                                    holidays. The on-line FDMS is available                 comments and material received during                  relates to completion of a RODS eight or
                                                    24 hours each day, 365 days each year.                  the comment period and may grant or                    fewer days in any 30-day period.
                                                      Privacy Act: In accordance with 5                     not grant this application based on your               Typically, only a few drivers at any one
                                                    U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments                    comments.                                              towing company are currently required


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                                                    1222                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                    to complete a RODS and usually most                     towers from the ELD regulation, and                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                    of the drivers lack the required class of               without an exemption from the ELD
                                                    license to substitute for these select few              regulation towers’ responsiveness to                   Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                                    drivers, meaning the workload that                      their customers and the motoring public                Administration
                                                    requires operation outside of the local                 would be severely reduced, and costs
                                                    exemption cannot be equalized or                        for towing services would increase                     49 CFR Part 395
                                                    shared among the entire driver pool at                  commeasurably. This will place an                      [Docket No. FMCSA–2017–0373]
                                                    any one company as could be done at                     unfair burden on the motoring public at
                                                    a traditional motor carrier. Thus, one or               large that has not been accounted for in               Hours of Service of Drivers:
                                                    two drivers will often be designated to                                                                        Application for Exemption; STC, Inc.
                                                                                                            the cost benefit analysis for this
                                                    conduct these longer, interstate trips
                                                                                                            regulation.                                            AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety
                                                    that require RODS.
                                                       TRAA asserts that the addition of the                   According to TRAA, towing industry                  Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
                                                    ELD rule creates confusing and                          operations represent a unique and vital                ACTION: Notice of application for
                                                    burdensome scenarios by overlapping                     segment of the overall transportation                  exemption; request for comments.
                                                    and conflicting regulations placed on                   industry in America that warrants
                                                    towing industry operators. The nature of                                                                       SUMMARY:   FMCSA announces that the
                                                                                                            exemption from the ELD regulation. The
                                                    the towing industry has drivers                                                                                STC, Inc (STC) has requested an
                                                                                                            failure to grant this exemption will
                                                    switching between intrastate and                                                                               exemption from the requirement that
                                                                                                            cause confusion and create an overly
                                                    interstate regulations multiple times                                                                          motor carriers and their drivers of
                                                                                                            complex regulatory framework which                     commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) use
                                                    throughout the day, sometimes as often                  will pose an undue burden on towers
                                                    as between each call. Additionally,                                                                            an electronic logging device (ELD) to
                                                                                                            and their customers without any                        record driver hours-of-service (HOS).
                                                    drivers employed in the towing industry                 measurable benefit to public safety.
                                                    often switch between commercial and                                                                            STC is a motor carrier that uses up to
                                                    non-commercial motor vehicles                           IV. Method To Ensure an Equivalent or                  75 CMVs to transport propane fuel and
                                                    throughout their shift. TRAA believes                   Greater Level of Safety                                anhydrous ammonia. It states that
                                                    that to mandate an electronic means of                                                                         because STC’s CMV operations are
                                                    documenting HOS for only a small part                     According to TRAA, granting this                     seasonal and dependent on the weather,
                                                    of each towers daily operations creates                 exemption will have no negative impact                 the ELD requirement creates an undue
                                                    an undue burden.                                        on public safety or compliance with the                financial burden on its business. STC
                                                       Moreover, an exemption from the ELD                  HOS regulations by the towing industry                 states that its operations under the
                                                    mandate helps promote the same safety                   companies given that most operate                      exemption would achieve a level of
                                                    goals inherent in the already existing                  under the short haul or local provisions               safety equivalent to, or greater than, the
                                                    exemption in 49 CFR Section                             found in 49 CFR 395.1(e)(1) for drivers                level that would be achieved absent the
                                                    390.23(a)(3). This provision exempts                    of vehicles requiring a commercial                     proposed exemption. FMCSA requests
                                                    towers who are responding to calls from                 driver’s license (CDL), and 49 CFR                     public comment on STC’s application
                                                    law enforcement from the requirement                    395.1(e)(2) for drivers of CMVs not                    for exemption.
                                                    to keep RODS. The same need to                          requiring a CDL. Instead, the exception                DATES: Comments must be received on
                                                    respond quickly to a highway                            will apply only to the small percentage                or before February 9, 2018.
                                                    emergency that requires the exemption                                                                          ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                                                                            of tow drivers who operate outside these
                                                    in Section 390.23(a)(3) exists when a                                                                          identified by Federal Docket
                                                                                                            exceptions on longer, interstate trips.
                                                    service call comes from a stranded                                                                             Management System (FDMS) Number
                                                    motorist rather than law enforcement.                   The towing industry will maintain a
                                                                                                            level of safety equal to, or greater than              FMCSA–2017–0373 by any of the
                                                    The drivers of these vehicles sitting                                                                          following methods:
                                                                                                            would be achieved while using ELDs by
                                                    roadside are at the same risk as those                                                                            • Federal eRulemaking Portal:
                                                    addressed by law enforcement. The                       fully complying with the current HOS                   www.regulations.gov. See the Public
                                                    current ELD proposal will impact the                    regulations and not having undue                       Participation and Request for Comments
                                                    ability of tow companies to respond to                  interruption to their current scheduling               section below for further information.
                                                    these owners’ requests and still be                     and staffing methods that have served                     • Mail: Docket Management Facility,
                                                    compliant with the regulatory                           the industry well in the past.                         U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
                                                    requirements.                                             A copy of TRAA’s application for                     New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building,
                                                       TRAA states that, as a practical                     exemption is available for review in the               Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
                                                    matter, towers will be required to install              docket for this notice.                                Washington, DC 20590–0001.
                                                    and maintain ELDs in all of their                                                                                 • Hand Delivery or Courier: West
                                                    equipment, even seldom used spare                         Issued on: December 29, 2017.                        Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–
                                                    equipment. It is common practice in the                 Larry W. Minor,                                        140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
                                                    towing industry to maintain spare                       Associate Administrator for Policy.                    between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                    equipment in a state of readiness, as do                [FR Doc. 2018–00247 Filed 1–9–18; 8:45 am]             through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                    other first responder agencies to insure
                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
                                                                                                                                                                      • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
                                                    complete readiness for any incident.                                                                              • Each submission must include the
                                                    Due to the complex nature of this and                                                                          Agency name and the docket number for
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                    the overlapping scenarios where an ELD                                                                         this notice. Note that DOT posts all
                                                    may be required, most towers will                                                                              comments received without change to
                                                    install, pay service for and utilize costly                                                                    www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                    ELDs even when not required to do so                                                                           personal information included in a
                                                    by the regulations to avoid harsh                                                                              comment. Please see the Privacy Act
                                                    penalties such as out of service orders                                                                        heading below.
                                                    and expensive fines. TRAA firmly                                                                                  Docket: For access to the docket to
                                                    believes it is appropriate to exempt                                                                           read background documents or


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Document Created: 2018-10-26 09:33:42
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 09:33:42
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of application for exemption; request for comments.
DatesComments must be received on or before February 9, 2018.
ContactFor information concerning this notice, contact Mr. Thomas Yager, Chief, FMCSA Driver and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards; Telephone: 614-942-6477. Email: [email protected] If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.
FR Citation83 FR 1220 

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