Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing, 40125-40127 [2015-17024]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 133 / Monday, July 13, 2015 / Notices shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Travis L. Watson Mr. Watson, 68, has had refractive amblyopia in his right eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/70, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2015, his optometrist stated, ‘‘Mr. Watson has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Watson reported that he has driven straight trucks for 45 years, accumulating 675,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 40 years, accumulating 600,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Tennessee. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Bruce W. Williams Mr. Williams, 49, has had amblyopia and a retinal detachment in his right eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/200, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2015, his ophthalmologist stated, ‘‘Also in my opinion, he does have sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Williams reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 20 years, accumulating 200,000 miles. He holds a Class AM CDL from Illinois. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Norman G. Wooten Mr. Wooten, 51, has had complete loss of vision in his right eye since 2007 due to cancer. The visual acuity in his right eye is no light perception, and in his left eye, 20/25. Following an examination in 2015, his optometrist stated, ‘‘There is no reason Mr. Wooten should not be able to perform any visual tasks to include operation of commercial vehicles.’’ Mr. Wooten reported that he has driven straight trucks for seven years, accumulating 665,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 18 years, accumulating 1.97 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Texas. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Kurt A. Yoder Mr. Yoder, 40, has had amblyopia in his right eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/100, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2015, his optometrist stated, ‘‘Mr. Yoder should have no VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:27 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 235001 problems with continuing with his CDL at this time. They amblyopia is longstanding and he has adjusted to it extremely well.’’ Mr. Yoder reported that he has driven straight trucks for 13 years, accumulating 494,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for two years, accumulating 156,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. III. 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, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. 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 comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov and put the docket number FMCSA–2015–0053 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 81⁄2 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, selfaddressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change this notice based on your comments. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number FMCSA–2015–0053 in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, click ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ button and choose the document listed to review. If you do not PO 00000 Frm 00134 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 40125 have access to the Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Issued on: June 24, 2015. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–17021 Filed 7–10–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2014–0385] Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces that 15 individuals have applied for a medical exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). In accordance with the statutory requirements concerning applications for exemptions, FMCSA requests public comments on these requests. The statute and implementing regulations concerning exemptions require that exemptions must provide an equivalent or greater level of safety than if they were not granted. If the Agency determines the exemptions would satisfy the statutory requirements and decides to grant theses requests after reviewing the public comments submitted in response to this notice, the exemptions would enable these 15 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 12, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA2014–0385 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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 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., SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1 40126 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 133 / Monday, July 13, 2015 / Notices Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket numbers for this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below for further information. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to 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., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line. 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 records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety, (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: The current provisions of the FMCSRs concerning hearing state that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5—1951. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has authority to grant exemptions from many of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), as amended by Section 4007 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA- 21) (Pub. L. 105– 178, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 107, 401). FMCSA has published in 49 CFR part 381, subpart C final rules implementing the statutory changes in its exemption procedures made by section 4007, 69 FR 51589 (August 20, 2004).1 Under the 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). This standard was adopted in 1970, with a revision in 1971 to allow drivers to be qualified under this standard while wearing a hearing aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 1971). FMCSA also issues instructions for completing the medical examination report and includes advisory criteria on the report itself to provide guidance for medical examiners in applying the hearing standard. See 49 CFR 391.43(f). The current advisory criteria for the hearing standard include a reference to a report entitled ‘‘Hearing Disorders and Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers’’ prepared for the Federal Highway 1 This action adopted as final rules the interim final rules issued by FMCSA’s predecessor in 1998 (63 FR 67600 (Dec. 8, 2008)), and adopted by FMCSA in 2001 [66 FR 49867 (Oct. 1, 2001)]. Background asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES rules in part 381, subpart C, FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register. The Agency must provide the public with an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted and any research reports, technical papers and other publications referenced in the application. The Agency must also provide an opportunity to submit public comment on the applications for exemption. The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved without the exemption. The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register. If the Agency denies the request, it must state the reason for doing so. If the decision is to grant the exemption, the notice must specify the person or class of persons receiving the exemption and the regulatory provision or provisions from which an exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the effective period of the exemption (up to 2 years) and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:27 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Administration, FMCSA’s predecessor, in 1993.2 FMCSA Requests Comments on the Exemption Applications FMCSA requests comments from all interested parties on whether a driver who cannot meet the hearing standard should be permitted to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. Further, the Agency asks for comments on whether a driver who cannot meet the hearing standard should be limited to operating only certain types of vehicles in interstate commerce, for example, vehicles without air brakes. The statute and implementing regulations concerning exemptions require that the Agency request public comments on all applications for exemptions. The Agency is also required to make a determination that an exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption before granting any such requests. Submitting Comments 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 that FMCSA can contact you if there are questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert the docket number ‘‘FMCSA– 2014–0385’’ and click the search button. When the new screen appears, click on the blue ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button on the right hand side of the page. On the new page, enter information required including the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 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. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your comments. FMCSA 2 This report is available on the FMCSA Web site at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/ research-technology/publications/medreport_ archives.htm. E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 133 / Monday, July 13, 2015 / Notices may issue a final rule at any time after the close of the comment period. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, go to www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert the docket number ‘‘FMCSA– 2014–0385’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, click ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ and you will find all documents and comments related to the proposed rulemaking. Information on Individual Applicants Dean J. Bobis Mr. Bobis, 38, holds an operator’s license in Arizona. Keith A. Byrd Mr. Byrd, 52, holds an operator’s license in New Jersey. Jeffrey D. Cottom Mr. Cottom, 24, holds a class A CDL in Ohio. Harold Richard Deavers Roderick B. Thomas Mr. Thomas, 50, holds a class A CDL in Georgia. Request for Comments In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b)(4), FMCSA requests public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions described in this notice. The Agency will consider all comments received before the close of business August 12, 2015. Comments will be available for examination in the docket at the location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The Agency will file comments received after the comment closing date in the public docket, and will consider them to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public docket, relevant information that becomes available after the comment closing date. Interested persons should monitor the public docket for new material. Mr. Deavers, 56, holds a class B CDL in West Virginia. Issued on: July 1, 2015. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. Charles James Heikkinen [FR Doc. 2015–17024 Filed 7–10–15; 8:45 am] Mr. Heikkinen, 34, holds a Chauffeur’s license Michigan. BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P Emil Atanassov Iontchev DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Mr. Iontchev, 34, holds an operator’s license in Illinois. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Amy Marie Ivins [Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0116] Ms. Ivins, 37, holds an operator’s license in Nebraska. Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders William Kevin Jones Mr. Jones, 67, holds an operator’s license in Minnesota. Anthony Michael Maginity Mr. Maginity, 24, holds an operator’s license in Iowa. Jerrell M. McCrary Mr. McCrary, 50, holds an operator’s license in North Carolina. Frank P. Oakley, II Mr. Oakley, 46, holds an operator’s license in Georgia. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES David Antrez Presley Mr. Presley, 34, holds an operator’s license in Georgia. Patricia L. Stephens Ms. Stephens, 44, holds an operator’s license in Nebraska. Jason D. Swearington Mr. Swearington, 28, holds an operator’s license in Texas. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:27 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 235001 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 21 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition 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 operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code of Federal Regulations as the ‘‘Instructions for Performing and Recording Physical Examinations’’ have resulted in numerous drivers being prohibited from operating CMVs in interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more seizures and are taking antiseizure medication, rather than an individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified medical SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 40127 examiner. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs for up to 2 years in interstate commerce. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 12, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA– 2015–0116 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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 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. Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket ID 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 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: 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 records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety, (202) 366–4001, or via email at fmcsamedical@dot.gov, or by letter to FMCSA, Room W64–113, Department of E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 133 (Monday, July 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40125-40127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17024]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0385]


Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing

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

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

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that 15 individuals have applied for a medical 
exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). In accordance with the statutory 
requirements concerning applications for exemptions, FMCSA requests 
public comments on these requests. The statute and implementing 
regulations concerning exemptions require that exemptions must provide 
an equivalent or greater level of safety than if they were not granted. 
If the Agency determines the exemptions would satisfy the statutory 
requirements and decides to grant theses requests after reviewing the 
public comments submitted in response to this notice, the exemptions 
would enable these 15 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate 
commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 12, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA- 2014-0385 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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 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.,

[[Page 40126]]

Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket numbers 
for this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without 
change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below for further 
information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to 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., ET, Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your 
comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard 
or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting 
comments on-line.
    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 records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, 
Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety, (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

    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has authority to 
grant exemptions from many of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Regulations (FMCSRs) under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), as amended by 
Section 4007 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
(TEA- 21) (Pub. L. 105-178, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 107, 401). FMCSA 
has published in 49 CFR part 381, subpart C final rules implementing 
the statutory changes in its exemption procedures made by section 4007, 
69 FR 51589 (August 20, 2004).\1\ Under the rules in part 381, subpart 
C, FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal 
Register. The Agency must provide the public with an opportunity to 
inspect the information relevant to the application, including any 
safety analyses that have been conducted and any research reports, 
technical papers and other publications referenced in the application. 
The Agency must also provide an opportunity to submit public comment on 
the applications for exemption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ This action adopted as final rules the interim final rules 
issued by FMCSA's predecessor in 1998 (63 FR 67600 (Dec. 8, 2008)), 
and adopted by FMCSA in 2001 [66 FR 49867 (Oct. 1, 2001)].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments and 
determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level 
of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be 
achieved without the exemption. The decision of the Agency must be 
published in the Federal Register. If the Agency denies the request, it 
must state the reason for doing so. If the decision is to grant the 
exemption, the notice must specify the person or class of persons 
receiving the exemption and the regulatory provision or provisions from 
which an exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the 
effective period of the exemption (up to 2 years) and explain the terms 
and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed.

    The current provisions of the FMCSRs concerning hearing state that 
a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person
    First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at 
not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or, if 
tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average 
hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 
1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the 
audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard 
(formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5--1951.
49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). This standard was adopted in 1970, with a 
revision in 1971 to allow drivers to be qualified under this standard 
while wearing a hearing aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970) and 36 
FR 12857 (July 3, 1971).
    FMCSA also issues instructions for completing the medical 
examination report and includes advisory criteria on the report itself 
to provide guidance for medical examiners in applying the hearing 
standard. See 49 CFR 391.43(f). The current advisory criteria for the 
hearing standard include a reference to a report entitled ``Hearing 
Disorders and Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers'' prepared for the 
Federal Highway Administration, FMCSA's predecessor, in 1993.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ This report is available on the FMCSA Web site at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/publications/medreport_archives.htm.
_____________________________________-

FMCSA Requests Comments on the Exemption Applications

    FMCSA requests comments from all interested parties on whether a 
driver who cannot meet the hearing standard should be permitted to 
operate a CMV in interstate commerce. Further, the Agency asks for 
comments on whether a driver who cannot meet the hearing standard 
should be limited to operating only certain types of vehicles in 
interstate commerce, for example, vehicles without air brakes. The 
statute and implementing regulations concerning exemptions require that 
the Agency request public comments on all applications for exemptions. 
The Agency is also required to make a determination that an exemption 
would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or 
greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption 
before granting any such requests.

Submitting Comments

    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 that FMCSA 
can contact you if there are questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to www.regulations.gov and in the 
search box insert the docket number ``FMCSA-2014-0385'' and click the 
search button. When the new screen appears, click on the blue ``Comment 
Now!'' button on the right hand side of the page. On the new page, 
enter information required including the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. 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.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your 
comments. FMCSA

[[Page 40127]]

may issue a final rule at any time after the close of the comment 
period.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, go to www.regulations.gov and in the search box 
insert the docket number ``FMCSA-2014-0385'' and click ``Search.'' 
Next, click ``Open Docket Folder'' and you will find all documents and 
comments related to the proposed rulemaking.

Information on Individual Applicants

Dean J. Bobis

    Mr. Bobis, 38, holds an operator's license in Arizona.

Keith A. Byrd

    Mr. Byrd, 52, holds an operator's license in New Jersey.

Jeffrey D. Cottom

    Mr. Cottom, 24, holds a class A CDL in Ohio.

Harold Richard Deavers

    Mr. Deavers, 56, holds a class B CDL in West Virginia.

Charles James Heikkinen

    Mr. Heikkinen, 34, holds a Chauffeur's license Michigan.

Emil Atanassov Iontchev

    Mr. Iontchev, 34, holds an operator's license in Illinois.

Amy Marie Ivins

    Ms. Ivins, 37, holds an operator's license in Nebraska.

William Kevin Jones

    Mr. Jones, 67, holds an operator's license in Minnesota.

Anthony Michael Maginity

    Mr. Maginity, 24, holds an operator's license in Iowa.

Jerrell M. McCrary

    Mr. McCrary, 50, holds an operator's license in North Carolina.

Frank P. Oakley, II

    Mr. Oakley, 46, holds an operator's license in Georgia.

David Antrez Presley

    Mr. Presley, 34, holds an operator's license in Georgia.

Patricia L. Stephens

    Ms. Stephens, 44, holds an operator's license in Nebraska.

Jason D. Swearington

    Mr. Swearington, 28, holds an operator's license in Texas.

Roderick B. Thomas

    Mr. Thomas, 50, holds a class A CDL in Georgia.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b)(4), FMCSA 
requests public comment from all interested persons on the exemption 
petitions described in this notice. The Agency will consider all 
comments received before the close of business August 12, 2015. 
Comments will be available for examination in the docket at the 
location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The Agency 
will file comments received after the comment closing date in the 
public docket, and will consider them to the extent practicable. In 
addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the 
public docket, relevant information that becomes available after the 
comment closing date. Interested persons should monitor the public 
docket for new material.

    Issued on: July 1, 2015.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-17024 Filed 7-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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