Commercial Driver's License Standards; Application for Exemption; Volvo Trucks North America, Inc., 6822-6824 [E6-1755]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 27 / Thursday, February 9, 2006 / Notices
Due Date for Answers, Conforming
Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: February 10, 2006.
Description: Application of Business
Jet Services, Ltd. (‘‘BJS’’) requesting a
certificate of public convenience and
necessity authorizing BJS to engage in
foreign charter air transportation of
persons, property and mail.
Intended effective date: 1 February
2006.
Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations,
Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E6–1793 Filed 2–8–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–62–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Notice of Applications for Certificates
of Public Convenience and Necessity
and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed
Under Subpart B (Formerly Subpart Q)
During the Week Ending January 20,
2006
The following Applications for
Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier
Permits were filed under Subpart B
(formerly Subpart Q) of the Department
of Transportation’s Procedural
Regulations (See 14 CFR 301.201 et.
seq.). The due date for Answers,
Conforming Applications, or Motions to
Modify Scope are set forth below for
each application. Following the Answer
period DOT may process the application
by expedited procedures. Such
procedures may consist of the adoption
of a show-cause order, a tentative order,
or in appropriate cases a final order
without further proceedings.
Docket Number: OST–2005–23664.
Date Filed: January 17, 2006.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming
Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: February 7, 2006.
Description: Application of TEM
Enterprises d/b/a Xtra Airways (‘‘Xtra’’)
requesting a certificate of public
convenience and necessity authorizing
Xtra to engage in foreign scheduled air
transportation of persons, property and
mail from any point or points in the
United States to any point or points in
the Republic of Costa Rica and the
Dominican Republic, and between
Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH; Memphis,
TN and Orlando, FL, on the one hand,
and Cancun, Mexico on the other.
Docket Number: OST–2005–23694.
Date Filed: January 20, 2006.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming
Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: February 10, 2006.
Description: Application of Business
Jet Services, Ltd. (‘‘BJS’’) requesting a
certificate of public convenience and
necessity authorizing BJS to engage in
interstate charter air transportation of
persons, property and mail.
Docket Number: OST–2005–23695.
Date Filed: January 20, 2006.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
13:56 Feb 08, 2006
Jkt 208001
Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations,
Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E6–1794 Filed 2–8–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–62–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for OMB Review
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FHWA has forwarded the
information collection request described
in this notice to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and comment. We published a
Federal Register Notice with a 60-day
public comment period on this
information collection on November 23,
2005. We are required to publish this
notice in the Federal Register by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Please submit comments by
March 13, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments to
the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, 725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503, Attention: DOT
Desk Officer. You are asked to comment
on any aspect of this information
collection, including: (1) Whether the
proposed collection is necessary for the
FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy
of the estimated burden; (3) ways for the
FHWA to enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the collected
information; and (4) ways that the
burden could be minimized, including
the use of electronic technology,
without reducing the quality of the
collected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Kreig Larson, (202) 366–2056,
Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration, Office of
Planning, Environment and Realty, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Title:
Environmental Streamlining: Measuring
the Performance of Stakeholders in the
Transportation Project Development
Process II.
Abstract: The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), FHWA, has
contracted with the Gallup Organization
to conduct a survey of professionals
associated with transportation and
resource agencies in order to gather
their views on the workings of the
environmental review process for
transportation projects and how the
process can be streamlined. The
purpose of the survey is to: (1) Collect
the perceptions of agency professionals
involved in conducting the decisionmaking processes mandated by the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and other resource protection
laws in order to develop benchmark
performance measures; and (2) identify
where the performance of the process
might be improved by the application of
techniques for streamlining. This is a
phone survey conducted of only local,
state, and Federal officials who work
with the NEPA process.
Respondents: Approximately 2,000
professionals/officials from
transportation and natural resource
agencies.
Frequency: This will be the second
time this survey will be conducted in
four years.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: The FHWA estimates that each
respondent will complete the survey in
approximately 15 minutes. With 2,000
surveys expected, an estimated 500
burden hours are expected for this
project.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended;
and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued On: February 2, 2006.
James R. Kabel,
Chief, Management Programs and Analysis
Division.
[FR Doc. E6–1758 Filed 2–8–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2005–22938]
Commercial Driver’s License
Standards; Application for Exemption;
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of application for
exemption; request for comments.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\09FEN1.SGM
09FEN1
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 27 / Thursday, February 9, 2006 / Notices
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that Volvo
Trucks North America, Inc. (Volvo) has
applied for an exemption from the
Federal requirement for drivers of
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to
hold a commercial driver’s license
(CDL). Volvo requests that the
exemption cover 11 Swedish engineers
and technicians who will test-drive
CMVs for Volvo within the United
States. All 11 Volvo employees hold a
valid Swedish CDL. Volvo states the
exemption is needed to allow required
testing of its CMVs under various
climatic and environmental conditions
within the United States. Volvo believes
the knowledge and skills tests and
training program that Swedish drivers
undergo to obtain a Swedish CDL
ensures the exemption would provide a
level of safety that is equivalent to, or
greater than, the level of safety obtained
by complying with the U.S. requirement
for a CDL.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before March 13, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Your comments may be
submitted by any of the following
methods:
Docket Management System (DMS)
Web site at https://dmses.dot.gov/submit,
under the last 5 digits of Docket No.
FMCSA–2005–22938, and following the
on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on the
Plaza Level, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal Holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
Docket: To read background
documents or comments received, go to
https://dms.dot.gov at any time or Room
PL–401 on the plaza level of the Nassif
Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The DMS is available
24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
If you want to be notified that we
received your comments, please include
a self-addressed, stamped envelope or
postcard, or you can print the
acknowledgement page that appears
after submitting comments on-line.
Privacy Act: Anyone may view or
download comments submitted in any
of DOT’s dockets by the name of the
commenter or name of the person
VerDate Aug<31>2005
13:56 Feb 08, 2006
Jkt 208001
signing the comment (if submitted on
behalf of an association, business, labor
union, or other entity). You may view
DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement
in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 at 65 FR 19477. It is also
available at https://dms.dot.gov.
Mr.
Jeffrey Van Ness, (202) 366–4009, Office
of Bus and Truck Standards and
Operations (MC–PSV), Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration, DOT, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590; or e-mail:
jeffrey.vanness@fmcsa.dot.gov. Office
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4007 of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA–
21), Public Law 105–178, 112 Stat. 107
(June 9, 1998), which amended 49
U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), authorizes
the agency to grant exemptions from the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (FMCSRs). On December 8,
1998 (63 FR 67600), the Federal
Highway Administration’s Office of
Motor Carriers, predecessor of FMCSA,
published an interim final rule to
implement section 4007 of TEA–21. On
August 20, 2004 (69 FR 51589), FMCSA
adopted as final the interim regulations
at 49 CFR part 381. These regulations
require FMCSA to publish a notice of
each exemption request in the Federal
Register, 49 CFR 381.315(a). We must
provide the public an opportunity to
inspect the information relevant to the
application, including any safety
analyses that have been conducted. We
must also provide an opportunity for
public comment on the request.
We will review the safety analyses
and the public comments and determine
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. We must
publish the agency’s decision in the
Federal Register, 49 CFR 381.315(b). If
the agency denies the request, we must
state the reason for doing so. If the
agency grants the exemption, we must
publish a notice to: specify the person
or class of persons receiving the
exemption; the regulatory provision or
provisions from which exemption is
being granted; the effective period of the
exemption (up to 2 years); and the terms
and conditions of the exemption. The
exemption may be renewed, 49 CFR
381.300(b).
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
6823
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.’s
Application for an Exemption
Volvo has applied for an exemption
from the commercial driver’s license
(CDL) rules. Specifically, 49 CFR 383.23
prescribes licensing requirements for
drivers operating CMVs in interstate or
intrastate commerce. Volvo requests the
exemption because its driver-employees
are citizens and residents of Sweden,
and because they cannot apply for a
CDL from a State in the United States.
A copy of the application is in Docket
No. FMCSA–2005–22938.
The exemption would allow the
following 11 drivers to operate tractor
trailer combination vehicles in interstate
commerce as part of a team of drivers
who develop, design and/or test engines
for CMVs that will be manufactured,
assembled, sold or primarily used in the
United States: Christer Milding, Jonas
Gustafsson, Sten-Ake Sandberg, Daniel
Kanebratt, Per Urban Walter, Dennis
Mattsson, Fredrik Wattwil, Jonas
Nilsson, Bjorn Nyman, Lars Johansson,
and David Aas.
These drivers are a team of designers
employed by Volvo in Sweden, that
would operate CMVs in the United
States for the purpose of testing and
evaluating production and prototype
CMVs to ensure the vehicles are welltested for use on U.S. highways. Each
driver holds a valid Swedish CDL.
Because of strict Swedish regulations for
obtaining a CDL and the drivers’ level
of training and experience, Volvo
believes the exemption will likely
achieve a level of safety equivalent to,
or greater than, the level of safety that
would be obtained absent the
exemption.
Volvo explained that drivers applying
for a Swedish-issued CDL must pass
knowledge and skills tests. Therefore,
the process for obtaining a Swedishissued CDL is considered to be
comparable to, or as effective as the
Federal requirements of Part 383, and
adequately assesses the driver’s ability
to operate CMVs in the United States.
Once a Swedish driver is granted a
Swedish CDL, he/she is allowed to drive
any CMV currently allowed on Swedish
roads. There are no limits to types or
weights of vehicles that may be operated
by the drivers.
Request for Comments
Accordingly, FMCSA requests public
comment from all interested persons on
Volvo’s application for an exemption
from the CDL requirements of 49 CFR
383.23. See 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(4) and
31136(e). The agency will consider all
comments received by close of business
on March 13, 2006. Comments will be
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09FEN1
6824
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 27 / Thursday, February 9, 2006 / Notices
available for examination in the docket.
We will consider comments received
after the comment closing date to the
extent practicable.
Issued on: February 2, 2006.
Annette M. Sandberg,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E6–1755 Filed 2–8–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket Nos. FMCSA–99–5748, 99–6156]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Vision
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemption;
request for comments.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its
decision to renew the exemptions from
the vision requirement in the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 10
individuals. FMCSA has statutory
authority to exempt individuals from
vision standards if the exemptions
granted will not compromise safety. The
agency has concluded that granting
these exemptions will provide a level of
safety that will be equivalent to, or
greater than, the level of safety
maintained without the exemptions for
these commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
drivers.
DATES: This decision is effective March
7, 2006. Comments must be received on
or before March 13, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by DOT Docket Management
System (DMS) Docket Numbers
FMCSA–99–5748 and FMCSA–99–6156
using any of the following methods.
• Web Site: https://dmses.dot.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting
comments on the DOT electronic docket
site.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
VerDate Aug<31>2005
13:56 Feb 08, 2006
Jkt 208001
numbers for this notice. Note that all
comments received will be posted
without change to https://dms.dot.gov,
including any personal information
provided. Please see the Privacy Act
heading for further information.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
dms.dot.gov at any time or Room PL–
401 on the plaza level of the Nassif
Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The DMS is available
24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
If you want us to notify you that we
received your comments, please include
a self-addressed, stamped envelope or
postcard or print the acknowledgement
page that appears after submitting
comments on-line.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or of the person signing the
comment, if submitted on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the Department of
Transportation’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477; Apr. 11, 2000). This information
is also available at https://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Mary D. Gunnels, Chief, Physical
Qualifications Division, (202) 366–4001,
maggi.gunnels@fmcsa.dot.gov FMCSA,
Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590–0001. Office hours are from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Exemption Decision
Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e),
FMCSA may renew an exemption from
the vision requirements in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers
of CMVs in interstate commerce, for a
two-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
procedures for requesting an exemption
(including renewals) are set out in 49
CFR part 381. This notice addresses 10
individuals who have requested renewal
of their exemptions in a timely manner.
FMCSA has evaluated these 10
applications for renewal on their merits
and decided to extend each exemption
for a renewable two-year period. They
are:
Herman L. Bailey, Jr.
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Mark A. Baisden
Brad T. Braegger
Daniel R. Franks
Dennis J. Lessard
Harry R. Littlejohn
James D. Simon
Wayland O. Timberlake
Robert J. Townsley
Jeffrey G. Wuensch
These exemptions are extended
subject to the following conditions: (1)
That each individual have a physical
examination every year (a) by an
ophthalmologist or optometrist who
attests that the vision in the better eye
continues to meet the standard in 49
CFR 391.41(b)(10), and (b) by a medical
examiner who attests that the individual
is otherwise physically qualified under
49 CFR 391.41; (2) that each individual
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) that each
individual provide a copy of the annual
medical certification to the employer for
retention in the driver’s qualification
file and retain a copy of the certification
on his/her person while driving for
presentation to a duly authorized
Federal, State, or local enforcement
official. Each exemption will be valid
for two years unless rescinded earlier by
FMCSA. The exemption will be
rescinded if: (1) The person fails to
comply with the terms and conditions
of the exemption; (2) the exemption has
resulted in a lower level of safety than
was maintained before it was granted; or
(3) continuation of the exemption would
not be consistent with the goals and
objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31315 and
31136(e).
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
for additional two year periods. In
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and
31136(e), each of the 10 applicants has
satisfied the entry conditions for
obtaining an exemption from the vision
requirements (64 FR 40404; 64 FR
66962; 67 FR 10475; 69 FR 8260; 64 FR
54948; 65 FR 159). Each of these 10
applicants has requested timely renewal
of the exemption and has submitted
evidence showing that the vision in the
better eye continues to meet the
standard 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 standards.
E:\FR\FM\09FEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6822-6824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1755]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2005-22938]
Commercial Driver's License Standards; Application for Exemption;
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 6823]]
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. (Volvo)
has applied for an exemption from the Federal requirement for drivers
of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to hold a commercial driver's
license (CDL). Volvo requests that the exemption cover 11 Swedish
engineers and technicians who will test-drive CMVs for Volvo within the
United States. All 11 Volvo employees hold a valid Swedish CDL. Volvo
states the exemption is needed to allow required testing of its CMVs
under various climatic and environmental conditions within the United
States. Volvo believes the knowledge and skills tests and training
program that Swedish drivers undergo to obtain a Swedish CDL ensures
the exemption would provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or
greater than, the level of safety obtained by complying with the U.S.
requirement for a CDL.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 13, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Your comments may be submitted by any of the following
methods:
Docket Management System (DMS) Web site at https://dmses.dot.gov/
submit, under the last 5 digits of Docket No. FMCSA-2005-22938, and
following the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the Plaza Level, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Docket: To read background documents or comments received, go to
https://dms.dot.gov at any time or Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
DMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want to
be notified that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard, or you can print the
acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line.
Privacy Act: Anyone may view or download comments submitted in any
of DOT's dockets by the name of the commenter or name of the person
signing the comment (if submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, or other entity). You may view DOT's complete
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 at 65 FR 19477. It is also available at https://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jeffrey Van Ness, (202) 366-4009,
Office of Bus and Truck Standards and Operations (MC-PSV), Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration, DOT, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590; or e-mail: jeffrey.vanness@fmcsa.dot.gov. Office
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4007 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA-21), Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107 (June 9, 1998), which
amended 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), authorizes the agency to grant
exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
On December 8, 1998 (63 FR 67600), the Federal Highway Administration's
Office of Motor Carriers, predecessor of FMCSA, published an interim
final rule to implement section 4007 of TEA-21. On August 20, 2004 (69
FR 51589), FMCSA adopted as final the interim regulations at 49 CFR
part 381. These regulations require FMCSA to publish a notice of each
exemption request in the Federal Register, 49 CFR 381.315(a). We must
provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant
to the application, including any safety analyses that have been
conducted. We must also provide an opportunity for public comment on
the request.
We will review the safety analyses and the public comments and
determine 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. We must publish the
agency's decision in the Federal Register, 49 CFR 381.315(b). If the
agency denies the request, we must state the reason for doing so. If
the agency grants the exemption, we must publish a notice to: specify
the person or class of persons receiving the exemption; the regulatory
provision or provisions from which exemption is being granted; the
effective period of the exemption (up to 2 years); and the terms and
conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed, 49 CFR
381.300(b).
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.'s Application for an Exemption
Volvo has applied for an exemption from the commercial driver's
license (CDL) rules. Specifically, 49 CFR 383.23 prescribes licensing
requirements for drivers operating CMVs in interstate or intrastate
commerce. Volvo requests the exemption because its driver-employees are
citizens and residents of Sweden, and because they cannot apply for a
CDL from a State in the United States. A copy of the application is in
Docket No. FMCSA-2005-22938.
The exemption would allow the following 11 drivers to operate
tractor trailer combination vehicles in interstate commerce as part of
a team of drivers who develop, design and/or test engines for CMVs that
will be manufactured, assembled, sold or primarily used in the United
States: Christer Milding, Jonas Gustafsson, Sten-Ake Sandberg, Daniel
Kanebratt, Per Urban Walter, Dennis Mattsson, Fredrik Wattwil, Jonas
Nilsson, Bjorn Nyman, Lars Johansson, and David Aas.
These drivers are a team of designers employed by Volvo in Sweden,
that would operate CMVs in the United States for the purpose of testing
and evaluating production and prototype CMVs to ensure the vehicles are
well-tested for use on U.S. highways. Each driver holds a valid Swedish
CDL. Because of strict Swedish regulations for obtaining a CDL and the
drivers' level of training and experience, Volvo believes the exemption
will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than,
the level of safety that would be obtained absent the exemption.
Volvo explained that drivers applying for a Swedish-issued CDL must
pass knowledge and skills tests. Therefore, the process for obtaining a
Swedish-issued CDL is considered to be comparable to, or as effective
as the Federal requirements of Part 383, and adequately assesses the
driver's ability to operate CMVs in the United States.
Once a Swedish driver is granted a Swedish CDL, he/she is allowed
to drive any CMV currently allowed on Swedish roads. There are no
limits to types or weights of vehicles that may be operated by the
drivers.
Request for Comments
Accordingly, FMCSA requests public comment from all interested
persons on Volvo's application for an exemption from the CDL
requirements of 49 CFR 383.23. See 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(4) and 31136(e).
The agency will consider all comments received by close of business on
March 13, 2006. Comments will be
[[Page 6824]]
available for examination in the docket. We will consider comments
received after the comment closing date to the extent practicable.
Issued on: February 2, 2006.
Annette M. Sandberg,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E6-1755 Filed 2-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
