Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision, 79079-79081 [2010-31770]

Download as PDF 79079 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 242 / Friday, December 17, 2010 / Notices AMENDMENT TO PFC APPROVALS Amendment approved date Amendment No. city, state 99–02–C–02–RST, Rochester, MN ................. 95–01–C–08–MKE, Milwaukee, WI ................. 95–03–C–08–MKE, Milwaukee, WI ................. 00–06–C–07–MKE, Milwaukee, WI ................. 02–07–C–05–MKE, Milwaukee, WI ................. 00–02–I–03–HXD, Hilton Head, SC ................ 00–03–U–02–HXD, Hilton Head, SC ............... 94–01–C–11–CVG, Covington, KY ................. 09–12–C–03–CVG, Covington, KY ................. 03–04–C–01–BIS, Bismarck, ND .................... Issued in Washington, DC, on December 07, 2010. Joe Hebert, Manager, Financial Analysis and Passenger Facility Charge Branch. [FR Doc. 2010–31514 Filed 12–16–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Notice of Intent to Rule on Request to Release Airport Property at New Century AirCenter, New Century, Kansas Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of request to release airport property. AGENCY: The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at New Century AirCenter under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21). SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before January 18, 2011. ADDRESSES: Comments on this application may be mailed or delivered to the FAA at the following address: Federal Aviation Administration, Central Region, Airports Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106– 2325. In addition, one copy of any comments submitted to the FAA must be mailed or delivered to R.E. Metcalfe, A.A.E., Executive Director, Johnson County Airport Commission, One New Century Parkway, New Century, Kansas, 66031. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicoletta Oliver, Airports Compliance Specialist, FAA, Central Region, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106–2325, (816) 329–2642. emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:45 Dec 16, 2010 Jkt 223001 Original approved net PFC revenue 10/27/10 11/01/10 11/01/10 11/01/10 11/01/10 11/15/10 11/15/10 11/17/10 11/17/10 11/23/10 Amended approved net PFC revenue $4,771,743 21,160,635 42,759,321 130,073,834 35,786,991 1,380,509 NA 27,431,000 21,455,000 5,574,555 $4,390,3700 21,428,585 42,945,325 124,348,365 35,251,806 1,375,158 NA 28,247,000 22,477,000 4,816,814 The request to release property may be reviewed in person at this same location. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the request to release property at New Century AirCenter under the provisions of AIR21. On December 3, 2010, the FAA determined that the request to release property at New Century AirCenter, submitted by the Johnson County Airport Commission, met the procedural requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA will approve or disapprove the request, in whole or in part, no later than February 15, 2011. The following is a brief overview of the request. The Johnson County Airport Commission requests the release of approximately 9.81 acres of airport property. The land is currently not being used for aeronautical purposes. This parcel has a building constructed by a private developer for commercial use. The purpose of this release is to sell the land to the Johnson County Parks and Recreation Board who intends to convert the building to an indoor soccer facility with outdoor fields adjacent to the building and within the boundary of the parcel. The sale of this property will generate fair market value revenue for the airport. Any person may inspect the request in person at the FAA office listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. In addition, any person may, upon request, inspect the application, notice and other documents that are relevant to the request, in person at New Century AirCenter, New Century, Kansas. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 10, 2010. Rodney N. Joel, Acting Manager, Airports Division, Central Region. [FR Doc. 2010–31515 Filed 12–16–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–M PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Original estimated charge exp. date Amended estimated charge exp. date 07/01/07 05/01/98 12/01/04 11/01/13 02/01/16 10/01/07 10/01/07 04/01/96 01/01/16 09/01/14 08/01/08 05/01/98 12/01/04 07/01/13 11/01/15 10/01/07 10/01/07 04/01/96 12/01/15 02/01/11 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2006–26066; FMCSA– 2006–24783; FMCSA–2002–12294; FMCSA– 2000–7363; FMCSA–2000–7165; FMCSA– 2000–8203; FMCSA–1998–3637] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 12 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. SUMMARY: This decision is effective January 13, 2011. Comments must be received on or before January 18, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) FMCSA–2006–26066; FMCSA–2006–24783; FMCSA–2002– 12294; FMCSA–2000–7363; FMCSA– 2000–7165; FMCSA–2000–8203; FMCSA–1998–3637, using any of the following methods. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building DATES: E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM 17DEN1 emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 79080 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 242 / Friday, December 17, 2010 / Notices 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., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to https:// 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 https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, 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 DOT’s Privacy Act Statement for the FDMS published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/ E8-785.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical Programs, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64– 224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:45 Dec 16, 2010 Jkt 223001 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. Exemption Decision This notice addresses 12 individuals who have requested renewal of their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has evaluated these 12 applications for renewal on their merits and decided to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are: David S. Brumfield. Robert R. Buis. Leon C. Flynn George J. Ghigliotty. Charles R. Kuderer William S. LaMar, Sr Clifford C. Priesmeyer Gerald R. Rietmann Arthur A. Sappington David William Skillman William H. Smith Edward C. Williams The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: (1) That each individual has 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 provides 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 retains 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. 31136(e) and 31315. 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. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 12 applicants has satisfied the entry conditions for PO 00000 Frm 00116 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 obtaining an exemption from the vision requirements (63 FR 30285; 63 FR 54519; 65 FR 33406; 65 FR 57234; 65 FR 45817; 65 FR 77066; 65 FR 66293; 67 FR 57266; 67 FR 71610; 67 FR 46016; 67 FR 71610; 67 FR 57267; 68 FR 1654; 69 FR 71098; 71 FR 63379; 71 FR 32183; 71 FR 41310; 72 FR 1054; 72 FR 1050; 73 FR 75806; 73 FR 78421; 73 FR 78422). Each of these 12 applicants has requested 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. These factors provide an adequate basis for predicting each driver’s ability to continue to drive safely in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a period of two years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. Request for Comments FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a particular driver’s safety record and determine if the continuation of the exemption is consistent with the requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. However, FMCSA requests that interested parties with specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit comments by January 18, 2011. FMCSA believes that the requirements for a renewal of an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 can be satisfied by initially granting the renewal and then requesting and evaluating, if needed, subsequent comments submitted by interested parties. As indicated above, the Agency previously published notices of final disposition announcing its decision to exempt these 12 individuals from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final decision to grant an exemption to each of these individuals was made on the merits of each case and made only after careful consideration of the comments received to its notices of applications. The notices of applications stated in detail the qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each applicant for an exemption from the vision requirements. That information is available by consulting the above cited Federal Register publications. E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM 17DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 242 / Friday, December 17, 2010 / Notices Interested parties or organizations possessing information that would otherwise show that any, or all, of these drivers are not currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a driver. Issued on: December 13, 2010. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator, Office of Policy. [FR Doc. 2010–31770 Filed 12–16–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2010–0327] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers. DATES: The exemptions are effective December 17, 2010. The exemptions expire on December 17, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical Programs, (202)–366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64– 224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document Management System (FDMS) at https:// www.regulations.gov. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:45 Dec 16, 2010 Jkt 223001 Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, 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 DOT’s Privacy Act Statement for the FDMS published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/ E8–785.pdf. Background On October 21, 2010, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of exemption applications from certain individuals, and requested comments from the public (75 FR 65057). That notice listed 16 applicants’ case histories. The 16 individuals applied for exemptions from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), for drivers who operate CMVs in interstate commerce. Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption for a 2year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. Accordingly, FMCSA has evaluated the 16 applications on their merits and made a determination to grant exemptions to each of them. Vision and Driving Experience of the Applicants The vision requirement in the FMCSRs provides: A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of a least 20/40 (Snellen) in both eyes with or PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 79081 without corrective lenses, field of vision of at least 70° in the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber (49 CFR 391.41(b)(10)). FMCSA recognizes that some drivers do not meet the vision standard, but have adapted their driving to accommodate their vision limitation and demonstrated their ability to drive safely. The 16 exemption applicants listed in this notice are in this category. They are unable to meet the vision standard in one eye for various reasons, including amblyopia, complete loss of vision, loss of an eye, corneal scarring, histoplasmosis and prosthesis. In most cases, their eye conditions were not recently developed. 12 of the applicants were either born with their vision impairments or have had them since childhood. The 4 individuals who sustained their vision conditions as adults have had them for periods ranging from 11 to 25 years. Although each applicant has one eye which does not meet the vision standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), each has at least 20/40 corrected vision in the other eye, and in a doctor’s opinion, has sufficient vision to perform all the tasks necessary to operate a CMV. Doctors’ opinions are supported by the applicants’ possession of valid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) or non-CDLs to operate CMVs. Before issuing CDLs, States subject drivers to knowledge and skills tests designed to evaluate their qualifications to operate a CMV. All of these applicants satisfied the testing standards for their State of residence. By meeting State licensing requirements, the applicants demonstrated their ability to operate a commercial vehicle, with their limited vision, to the satisfaction of the State. While possessing a valid CDL or nonCDL, these 16 drivers have been authorized to drive a CMV in intrastate commerce, even though their vision disqualified them from driving in interstate commerce. They have driven CMVs with their limited vision for careers ranging from 3 to 47 years. In the past 3 years, 2 of the drivers were involved in crashes or convicted of moving violations in a CMV. The qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each applicant were stated and discussed in detail in the October 21, 2010 notice (75 FR 65057). Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the vision standard in 49 CFR E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM 17DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79079-79081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31770]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2006-26066; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2002-12294; 
FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-2000-7165; FMCSA-2000-8203; FMCSA-1998-3637]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

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

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the 
vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 
12 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals 
from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not 
compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these 
exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is 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 January 13, 2011. Comments must be 
received on or before January 18, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) FMCSA-2006-26066; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-
2002-12294; FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-2000-7165; FMCSA-2000-8203; FMCSA-
1998-3637, using any of the following methods.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building

[[Page 79080]]

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., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the 
docket number for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments 
received without change to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12-140 
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want 
acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement 
page that appears after submitting comments 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 DOT's Privacy Act Statement for the FDMS published in 
the Federal Register on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit 
https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical 
Programs, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-224, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, 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.

Exemption Decision

    This notice addresses 12 individuals who have requested renewal of 
their exemptions in accordance with FMCSA procedures. FMCSA has 
evaluated these 12 applications for renewal on their merits and decided 
to extend each exemption for a renewable two-year period. They are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
David S. Brumfield...............  Charles R. Kuderer  Arthur A.
                                                        Sappington
Robert R. Buis...................  William S. LaMar,   David William
                                    Sr                  Skillman
Leon C. Flynn....................  Clifford C.         William H. Smith
                                    Priesmeyer
George J. Ghigliotty.............  Gerald R. Rietmann  Edward C.
                                                        Williams
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions: 
(1) That each individual has 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 
provides 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 
retains 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. 31136(e) and 
31315.

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. 31136(e) and 31315, each of the 12 applicants has satisfied the 
entry conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision 
requirements (63 FR 30285; 63 FR 54519; 65 FR 33406; 65 FR 57234; 65 FR 
45817; 65 FR 77066; 65 FR 66293; 67 FR 57266; 67 FR 71610; 67 FR 46016; 
67 FR 71610; 67 FR 57267; 68 FR 1654; 69 FR 71098; 71 FR 63379; 71 FR 
32183; 71 FR 41310; 72 FR 1054; 72 FR 1050; 73 FR 75806; 73 FR 78421; 
73 FR 78422). Each of these 12 applicants has requested 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. These factors provide 
an adequate basis for predicting each driver's ability to continue to 
drive safely in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes that 
extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a period of two 
years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing 
without the exemption.

Request for Comments

    FMCSA will review comments received at any time concerning a 
particular driver's safety record and determine if the continuation of 
the exemption is consistent with the requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and 31315. However, FMCSA requests that interested parties with 
specific data concerning the safety records of these drivers submit 
comments by January 18, 2011.
    FMCSA believes that the requirements for a renewal of an exemption 
under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 can be satisfied by initially 
granting the renewal and then requesting and evaluating, if needed, 
subsequent comments submitted by interested parties. As indicated 
above, the Agency previously published notices of final disposition 
announcing its decision to exempt these 12 individuals from the vision 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final decision to grant an 
exemption to each of these individuals was made on the merits of each 
case and made only after careful consideration of the comments received 
to its notices of applications. The notices of applications stated in 
detail the qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each 
applicant for an exemption from the vision requirements. That 
information is available by consulting the above cited Federal Register 
publications.

[[Page 79081]]

    Interested parties or organizations possessing information that 
would otherwise show that any, or all, of these drivers are not 
currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately 
notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted 
and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption 
would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 
31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA will take immediate steps to revoke the 
exemption of a driver.

    Issued on: December 13, 2010.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2010-31770 Filed 12-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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