Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing, 60741-60743 [2015-25498]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices FMCSA Decision The FMCSA has evaluated SDDC’s application for renewal of the exemption. The Agency believes that SDDC will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption [49 CFR 381.305(a)]. The exempted drivers will receive 30 minutes or more of rest when required since they will be free of all duties other than ‘‘attending’’ the vehicle during the break periods. The safety objectives of the break requirement will be met; the only subject of the exemption is the duty status of the driver while attending the vehicle during a required rest break. Therefore, the Agency grants the exemption request subject to the terms and conditions in this Federal Register notice. Terms of the Exemption 1. Drivers authorized by SDDC to utilize this exemption must have a copy of this exemption document in their possession while operating under the terms of the exemption. The exemption document must be presented to law enforcement officials upon request. 2. All motor carriers operating under this exemption must have a ‘‘Satisfactory’’ safety rating with FMCSA, or be ‘‘unrated;’’ motor carriers with ‘‘Conditional’’ or ‘‘Unsatisfactory’’ FMCSA safety ratings are prohibited from using this exemption. 3. All motor carriers operating under this exemption must have Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores below FMCSA’s intervention thresholds, as displayed at https:// ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Period of the Exemption This exemption from the requirements of 49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(ii) is granted for the period from 12:01 a.m., October 22, 2015, through 11:59 p.m., October 21, 2017. Extent of the Exemption The exemption is restricted to SDDC’s contract driver-employees transporting security-sensitive materials. This exemption is limited to the provisions of 49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(ii) to allow contract driver-employees transporting security-sensitive materials to be treated the same as drivers transporting explosives, as provided in § 395.1(q). These drivers must comply with all other applicable provisions of the FMCSRs. Preemption In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:12 Oct 06, 2015 Jkt 238001 381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption with respect to a firm or person operating under the exemption. States may, but are not required to, adopt the same exemption with respect to SDDC contract operators in intrastate commerce. Notification to FMCSA Termination FMCSA does not believe the drivers covered by this exemption will experience any deterioration of their safety record. However, should this occur, FMCSA will take all steps necessary to protect the public interest, including revocation or restriction of the exemption. The FMCSA will immediately revoke or restrict the exemption for failure to comply with its terms and conditions. Issued on: September 25, 2015. T.F. Scott Darling, III, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2015–25520 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am] PO 00000 Frm 00131 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2014–0106] Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 14 individuals for exemptions from the Agency’s physical qualifications standard concerning hearing for interstate drivers. The current regulation prohibits hearing impaired individuals from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. After notice and opportunity for public comment, the Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these drivers to operate propertycarrying CMVs will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions. The exemptions are valid for a 2-year period and may be renewed, and the exemptions preempt State laws and regulations. SUMMARY: The SDDC must notify FMCSA within 5 business days of any accident (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5), involving any of the motor carrier’s CMVs operating under the terms of this exemption. The notification must include the following information: a. Exemption Identity: ‘‘SDDC,’’ b. Name of operating motor carrier and USDOT number, c. Date of the accident, d. City or town, and State, in which the accident occurred, or closest to the accident scene, e. Driver’s name and driver’s license number and State of issuance, f. Vehicle number and State license plate number, g. Number of individuals suffering physical injury, h. Number of fatalities, i. The police-reported cause of the accident, j. Whether the driver was cited for violation of any traffic laws or motor carrier safety regulations, and k. The driver’s total driving time and total on-duty time period prior to the accident. Reports filed under this provision shall be emailed to MCPSD@DOT.GOV. BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 60741 The exemptions are effective October 7, 2015. The exemptions expire on October 10, 2017. 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 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: A. Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document Management System (FDMS) at: www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to www.regulations.gov and/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., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 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 E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1 60742 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. B. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the safety regulations for a 2-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 statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The current provisions of the FMCSRs concerning hearing state that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person: asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 grants 14 individuals an exemption from § 391.41(b)(11) concerning hearing to enable them to operate property-carrying CMVs in interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The Agency’s decision on these exemption applications is based on the current medical literature and information and the ‘‘Executive Summary on Hearing, Vestibular Function and Commercial Motor Driving Safety’’ (the 2008 Evidence Report) presented to FMCSA on August 26, 2008. The evidence report reached two conclusions regarding the matter of hearing loss and CMV driver safety: (1) No studies that examined the relationship between hearing loss and crash risk exclusively among CMV drivers were identified; and (2) evidence from studies of the private driver license holder population does not support the contention that individuals with hearing impairment are at an increased risk for a crash. In addition, the Agency reviewed each applicant’s driving record found in the CDLIS,1 for CDL holders, and inspections recorded in 1 Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) is an information system that allows the exchange of commercial driver licensing information among all the States. CDLIS includes the databases of 51 licensing jurisdictions and the CDLIS Central Site, all connected by a telecommunications network. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:12 Oct 06, 2015 Jkt 238001 MCMIS.2 For non-CDL holders, the Agency reviewed the driving records from the State licensing agency. Each applicant’s record demonstrated a safe driving history. The Agency believes the drivers covered by the exemptions do not pose a risk to public safety. C. Comments On January 22, 2015, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of exemption applications and requested public comment on 14 individuals (FR 80 3306; Docket number FMCSA–2015– 00995). The comment period ended on February 23, 2015. In response to this notice, one comment was received expressing concern for the process by which exemptions are granted from parts of 49 CFR 391.41, the increased volume of exemptions, and the need to rely on scientific support as a basis for granting the exemptions. The American Trucking Associations, Inc. (ATA) submitted a comment stating, ‘‘The granting of such a large number of exemptions dilutes the physical qualification standards and constitutes regulation through exemption. FMCSA must begin a dialogue on the need and effectiveness of these standards. If it is determined that these standards need to be altered, it must be done through the formal rulemaking process.’’ FMCSA acknowledges ATA’s concerns and may consider in the future the initial steps to a formal rulemaking process to revise physical qualification standards. D. Exemptions Granted Following individualized assessments of the exemption applications, FMCSA grants exemptions from 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to 14 individuals. Under current FMCSA regulations, all of the 14 drivers receiving exemptions from 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) would have been considered physically qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce except that they do not meet the hearing requirement. FMCSA has determined that the following 14 applicants should be granted an exemption: Weston Tyler Arhurs Mr. Arthurs, 28, holds an operator’s license in California. Kevin Ray Ballard Mr. Ballard, 38, holds an operator’s license in Texas. 2 Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) is an information system that captures data from field offices through SAFETYNET, CAPRI, and other sources. It is a source for FMCSA inspection, crash, compliance review, safety audit, and registration data. PO 00000 Frm 00132 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Jeremy Wayne Brandyberry Mr. Brandyberry, 34, holds an operator’s license in Nebraska. Scott C. Friede Mr. Friede, 40, holds a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Nebraska. Glenn E. Hivey Mr. Hivey, 81, holds a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Pennsylvania. Jeremiah Putnam Hoagland Mr. Hoagland, 35, holds a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Colorado. Curtis J. Horning Mr. Horning, 40, holds an operator’s license in Pennsylvania. Leroy Lynch Mr. Lynch, 59, holds a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Ohio. Floyd McClain, Jr. Mr. McClain, 38, holds an operator’s license in Florida. Christopher David McKenzie Mr. McKenzie, 37, holds an operator’s license in Texas. Kimothy Fred Mcleod Mr. Mcleod, 51, holds a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Georgia. Victor Morales-Contreras Mr. Morales-Contreras, 27, holds an operator’s license in Texas. Brandon Veronie, Sr. Mr. Veronie, 36, holds a chauffeur’s license in Louisiana. Anthony L. Witcher Mr. Witcher, 55, holds a chauffeur’s license in Michigan. Basis for Exemption Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) if the exemption is likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be achieved without the exemption. With the exemption, applicants can drive in interstate commerce. Thus, the Agency’s analysis focuses on whether an equal or greater level of safety is likely to be achieved by permitting each of these drivers to drive in interstate commerce as opposed to restricting him or her to driving in intrastate commerce. The E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices driver must comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption. This includes reporting any crashes or accidents as defined in 49 CFR 390.5 and reporting all citations and convictions for disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 CFR 391. Conclusion The Agency is granting exemptions from the hearing standard, 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11), to 14 individuals based on an evaluation of each driver’s safety experience. Safety analysis of information relating to these 14 applicants meets the burden of showing that granting the exemptions would achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved without the exemption. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid for 2 years from the effective date with annual recertification required unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (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 prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. FMCSA exempts the following 14 drivers for a period of 2 years from the physical qualification standard concerning hearing: Weston Tyler Arhurs (CA); Kevin Ray Ballard (TX); Jeremy Wayne Brandyberry (NE); Scott C. Friede (NE); Glenn E. Hivey (PA); Jeremiah Putnam Hoagland (CO); Curtis J. Horning (PA); Leroy Lynch (OH); Floyd McClain, Jr. (FL); Christopher David McKenzie (TX); Kimothy Fred Mcleod (GA); Victor Morales-Contreras (TX); Brandon Veronie, Sr. (LA); and Anthony L. Witcher (MI). Issued on: September 29, 2015. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–25498 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0058] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:12 Oct 06, 2015 Jkt 238001 FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt 42 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: The exemptions were effective on June 6, 2015. The exemptions expire on June 6, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Horan, III, Director, Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Room W64–224, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document Management System (FDMS) at: https:// www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov and/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. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. II. Background On May 6, 2015, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of Federal diabetes exemption applications from 42 individuals and requested comments from the public (80 FR 26133). The public comment period closed on June 5, 2015, and one comment was received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of the 42 applicants and determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3). Diabetes Mellitus and Driving Experience of the Applicants The Agency established the current requirement for diabetes in 1970 PO 00000 Frm 00133 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60743 because several risk studies indicated that drivers with diabetes had a higher rate of crash involvement than the general population. The diabetes rule provides that ‘‘A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for control’’ (49 CFR 391.41(b)(3)). FMCSA established its diabetes exemption program, based on the Agency’s July 2000 study entitled ‘‘A Report to Congress on the Feasibility of a Program to Qualify Individuals with Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus to Operate in Interstate Commerce as Directed by the Transportation Act for the 21st Century.’’ The report concluded that a safe and practicable protocol to allow some drivers with ITDM to operate CMVs is feasible. The September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441), Federal Register notice in conjunction with the November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), Federal Register notice provides the current protocol for allowing such drivers to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. These 42 applicants have had ITDM over a range of one to 30 years. These applicants report no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness or seizure, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning symptoms, in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past 5 years. In each case, an endocrinologist verified that the driver has demonstrated a willingness to properly monitor and manage his/her diabetes mellitus, received education related to diabetes management, and is on a stable insulin regimen. These drivers report no other disqualifying conditions, including diabetes-related complications. Each meets the vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were stated and discussed in detail in the May 6, 2015, Federal Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice. III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received one comment in this proceeding. The comment is addressed below. Miguel Morales stated that he is in favor of granting the Federal diabetes exemptions to the drivers. IV. Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60741-60743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25498]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0106]


Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 14 
individuals for exemptions from the Agency's physical qualifications 
standard concerning hearing for interstate drivers. The current 
regulation prohibits hearing impaired individuals from operating CMVs 
in interstate commerce. After notice and opportunity for public 
comment, the Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these 
drivers to operate property-carrying CMVs will provide a level of 
safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety 
maintained without the exemptions. The exemptions are valid for a 2-
year period and may be renewed, and the exemptions preempt State laws 
and regulations.

DATES: The exemptions are effective October 7, 2015. The exemptions 
expire on October 10, 2017.

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 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document 
Management System (FDMS) at: www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov and/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., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    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

[[Page 60742]]

described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can 
be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.

B. Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the safety regulations for a 2-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 statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at 
the end of the 2-year period. 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 grants 14 individuals an exemption from Sec.  391.41(b)(11) 
concerning hearing to enable them to operate property-carrying CMVs in 
interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The Agency's decision on these 
exemption applications is based on the current medical literature and 
information and the ``Executive Summary on Hearing, Vestibular Function 
and Commercial Motor Driving Safety'' (the 2008 Evidence Report) 
presented to FMCSA on August 26, 2008. The evidence report reached two 
conclusions regarding the matter of hearing loss and CMV driver safety: 
(1) No studies that examined the relationship between hearing loss and 
crash risk exclusively among CMV drivers were identified; and (2) 
evidence from studies of the private driver license holder population 
does not support the contention that individuals with hearing 
impairment are at an increased risk for a crash. In addition, the 
Agency reviewed each applicant's driving record found in the CDLIS,\1\ 
for CDL holders, and inspections recorded in MCMIS.\2\ For non-CDL 
holders, the Agency reviewed the driving records from the State 
licensing agency. Each applicant's record demonstrated a safe driving 
history. The Agency believes the drivers covered by the exemptions do 
not pose a risk to public safety.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) is an 
information system that allows the exchange of commercial driver 
licensing information among all the States. CDLIS includes the 
databases of 51 licensing jurisdictions and the CDLIS Central Site, 
all connected by a telecommunications network.
    \2\ Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) is an 
information system that captures data from field offices through 
SAFETYNET, CAPRI, and other sources. It is a source for FMCSA 
inspection, crash, compliance review, safety audit, and registration 
data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Comments

    On January 22, 2015, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of 
exemption applications and requested public comment on 14 individuals 
(FR 80 3306; Docket number FMCSA-2015-00995). The comment period ended 
on February 23, 2015. In response to this notice, one comment was 
received expressing concern for the process by which exemptions are 
granted from parts of 49 CFR 391.41, the increased volume of 
exemptions, and the need to rely on scientific support as a basis for 
granting the exemptions. The American Trucking Associations, Inc. (ATA) 
submitted a comment stating, ``The granting of such a large number of 
exemptions dilutes the physical qualification standards and constitutes 
regulation through exemption. FMCSA must begin a dialogue on the need 
and effectiveness of these standards. If it is determined that these 
standards need to be altered, it must be done through the formal 
rulemaking process.'' FMCSA acknowledges ATA's concerns and may 
consider in the future the initial steps to a formal rulemaking process 
to revise physical qualification standards.

D. Exemptions Granted

    Following individualized assessments of the exemption applications, 
FMCSA grants exemptions from 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to 14 individuals. 
Under current FMCSA regulations, all of the 14 drivers receiving 
exemptions from 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) would have been considered 
physically qualified to drive a CMV in interstate commerce except that 
they do not meet the hearing requirement. FMCSA has determined that the 
following 14 applicants should be granted an exemption:

Weston Tyler Arhurs

    Mr. Arthurs, 28, holds an operator's license in California.

Kevin Ray Ballard

    Mr. Ballard, 38, holds an operator's license in Texas.

Jeremy Wayne Brandyberry

    Mr. Brandyberry, 34, holds an operator's license in Nebraska.

Scott C. Friede

    Mr. Friede, 40, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) 
in Nebraska.

Glenn E. Hivey

    Mr. Hivey, 81, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) in 
Pennsylvania.

Jeremiah Putnam Hoagland

    Mr. Hoagland, 35, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) 
in Colorado.

Curtis J. Horning

    Mr. Horning, 40, holds an operator's license in Pennsylvania.

Leroy Lynch

    Mr. Lynch, 59, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) in 
Ohio.

Floyd McClain, Jr.

    Mr. McClain, 38, holds an operator's license in Florida.

Christopher David McKenzie

    Mr. McKenzie, 37, holds an operator's license in Texas.

Kimothy Fred Mcleod

    Mr. Mcleod, 51, holds a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) 
in Georgia.

Victor Morales-Contreras

    Mr. Morales-Contreras, 27, holds an operator's license in Texas.

Brandon Veronie, Sr.

    Mr. Veronie, 36, holds a chauffeur's license in Louisiana.

Anthony L. Witcher

    Mr. Witcher, 55, holds a chauffeur's license in Michigan.

Basis for Exemption

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) if the exemption is 
likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would 
be achieved without the exemption. With the exemption, applicants can 
drive in interstate commerce. Thus, the Agency's analysis focuses on 
whether an equal or greater level of safety is likely to be achieved by 
permitting each of these drivers to drive in interstate commerce as 
opposed to restricting him or her to driving in intrastate commerce. 
The

[[Page 60743]]

driver must comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption. This 
includes reporting any crashes or accidents as defined in 49 CFR 390.5 
and reporting all citations and convictions for disqualifying offenses 
under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 CFR 391.

Conclusion

    The Agency is granting exemptions from the hearing standard, 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(11), to 14 individuals based on an evaluation of each 
driver's safety experience. Safety analysis of information relating to 
these 14 applicants meets the burden of showing that granting the 
exemptions would achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or 
greater than the level that would be achieved without the exemption. In 
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid for 2 
years from the effective date with annual recertification required 
unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the 
following occurs: (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 prior to being granted; or (3) 
continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals 
and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315.
    FMCSA exempts the following 14 drivers for a period of 2 years from 
the physical qualification standard concerning hearing: Weston Tyler 
Arhurs (CA); Kevin Ray Ballard (TX); Jeremy Wayne Brandyberry (NE); 
Scott C. Friede (NE); Glenn E. Hivey (PA); Jeremiah Putnam Hoagland 
(CO); Curtis J. Horning (PA); Leroy Lynch (OH); Floyd McClain, Jr. 
(FL); Christopher David McKenzie (TX); Kimothy Fred Mcleod (GA); Victor 
Morales-Contreras (TX); Brandon Veronie, Sr. (LA); and Anthony L. 
Witcher (MI).

    Issued on: September 29, 2015.
 Larry W. Minor,
 Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2015-25498 Filed 10-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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