Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 16 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 11 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from two individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) by persons with a current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope (transient loss of consciousness), dyspnea (shortness of breath), collapse, or congestive heart failure. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ICDs to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from nine individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. The information collection concerns records of inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). FMCSA requests approval to revise an ICR titled, ``Inspection, Repair and Maintenance.''

In a notice of renewal of exemptions published in the Federal Register on September 6, 2023, FMCSA announced its decision to renew exemptions for eight individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. The notice inadvertently published an individual's legal name incorrectly. This notice corrects that error.

FMCSA proposes the development and implementation of a Federal appeals process for Requests for Data Review (RDRs) submitted to the Agency through its DataQs system. DataQs is the online system for motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle drivers and other interested parties to request and track a review of Federal and State crash and inspection data submitted to and stored by FMCSA that the requester believes is incomplete or incorrect. The proposed review process would provide users with an opportunity to have their requests reviewed by FMCSA after the request has been reviewed and denied after reconsideration by the State agency. FMCSA would include requirements for ensuring an independent review of all requests. The outcome of the FMCSA review would be deemed final. FMCSA requests public comments on the proposed process.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 12 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application from Alaska's Ice Road Driving School requesting an exemption from certain portions of the behind-the-wheel (BTW) entry-level driver training (ELDT) requirements for driver trainees. The applicant explained that because of the unique road system and challenging terrain in Alaska, it is difficult to adhere to the driver training regulations, and further explained that the road configurations lead to only a few major established safe road systems in Alaska. The applicant believes that the road skills test for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) applicant can safely be administered by the State test examiner because set routes can be established and approved without the CDL applicant completing certain portions of the mandatory BTW training. FMCSA analyzed the application and determined that the exemption would not likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

In a notice published in the Federal Register on August 24, 2023, FMCSA announced its plan to submit the ``Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impact on Safety'' Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval and invited public comment. The notice incorrectly stated that comments must be received on or before September 1, 2023, which needs to be corrected to allow for a 60-day comment period. This notice makes that correction.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from the state of Hawaii to exempt specified portions of the CDL skills test for drivers on the islands of Lanai and Molokai due to the lack of highway infrastructure to allow completion of the full skills test. Regulations require a CDL applicant to possess and demonstrate specific on-road safe driving skills, including the ability to choose a safe gap for changing lanes, passing other vehicles, and crossing or entering traffic and the ability to signal appropriately when changing direction in traffic. The state of Hawaii proposes to issue a restricted CDL to drivers who pass a limited CDL skills test in which the driver would not be required to demonstrate the ability to perform those on-road skills. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the information collection request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This information collection (IC) is voluntary and may be utilized by medical examiners (ME) responsible for issuing Medical Examiner's Certificates, Form MCSA-5876, to individuals diagnosed with non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in interstate commerce. MEs choosing to use this IC will do so in an effort to communicate with treating healthcare providers who manage the diabetes care of individuals diagnosed with non-insulin- treated diabetes mellitus who operate CMVs. The information obtained by MEs will assist them in determining whether an individual diagnosed with non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus meets FMCSA's physical qualification standards. One comment from the public was received in response to the 60-day Federal Register notice.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impact on Safety'' will allow for a study that focuses on vehicle maintenance and aims to determine the impact of vehicle maintenance requirements on overall motor carrier safety. This information collection supports the DOT Strategic Goal of Safety.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 11 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 12 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew the ICR titled ``Accident Recordkeeping Requirements.'' This ICR relates to Agency requirements that motor carriers maintain a record of accidents involving their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Motor carriers are not required to report this data to FMCSA, but must produce it upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State, or local officials.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 21 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for five individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This notice announces a meeting of the WOTAB.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the exemption application from Robert Towle, who sought an exemption on behalf of graduating students of the commercial driver's license (CDL) Prep Class of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections Special School District Granite State High School (GSHS) from two requirements in the entry-level driver training (ELDT) regulations. Mr. Towle requested an exemption from the requirement that a training provider use instructors who meet the definition of ``theory instructor.'' Mr. Towle also requested an exemption from the requirement that an individual who applies for the first time for a Class A or B CDL, or who upgrades to a Class A or B CDL, complete training from a provider listed on the Training Provider Registry (TPR). FMCSA analyzed the exemption application and public comments and determined that the application lacked evidence that the exemption would likely achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be achieved absent such exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for seven individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 11 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt ten individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application from Matthew Killmer requesting an exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations to allow him to split his sleeper berth time into two 5- hour periods. The applicant indicates that the exemption would enable him to be a more alert and well rested commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operator and allow him to find a safe place to park his vehicle. FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined that the exemption is not likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.