Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information Collection Request: 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form, 44675-44680 [2016-16199]

Agencies

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44675-44680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16199]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0180]


Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information 
Collection Request: 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA 
announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) 
described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its 
review and approval and invites public comment on the approval of a new 
Information Collection (IC) titled, 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form. 
Comments received in response to this notice are sent to the OMB Desk 
Officer to address. This IC is voluntary and may be utilized by medical 
examiners (MEs) responsible for issuing Medical Examiner's Certificates 
(MECs) to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. MEs that choose to 
use this IC will do so in an effort to communicate with treating 
healthcare professionals who are responsible for prescribing certain 
medications, so that the ME fully understands the reasons the 
medications have been prescribed. The information obtained by the ME 
when utilizing this IC will assist the ME in determining if the driver 
is medically certified according to the physical qualifications 
standards outlined in 49 CFR 391.41 and to ensure that there are no 
disqualifying medical conditions or underlying medical conditions and

[[Page 44676]]

prescribed medications that could adversely affect their safe driving 
ability or cause incapacitation constituting a risk to the public.

DATES: Please send your comments to this notice by August 8, 2016. OMB 
must receive your comments by this date to act quickly on the ICR.

ADDRESSES: All comments should reference Federal Docket Management 
System (FDMS) Docket Number FMCSA-2015-0180. Interested persons are 
invited to submit written comments on the proposed IC to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. 
Comments should be addressed to the attention of the Desk Officer, 
Department of Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, and sent via electronic mail to 
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov, faxed to (202) 395-6974, or mailed to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 
20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical 
Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-113, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form.
    OMB Control Number: 2126-00XX.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Respondents: Prescribing healthcare professionals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,082,200 (total number of 
prescribing healthcare providers in the U.S.).
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes.
    Expiration Date: N/A. This is a new ICR.
    Frequency of Response: Voluntary.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 144,293 hours [1,082,200 responses x 
8 minutes to complete response/60 minutes = 144,293].
    Background: The primary mission of FMCSA is to reduce crashes, 
injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The 
Secretary of Transportation has delegated to FMCSA its responsibility 
under 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31502 to prescribe regulations that ensure 
that CMVs are operated safely. As part of this mission, the Agency's 
Medical Programs Division works to ensure that CMV drivers engaged in 
interstate commerce operations are physically qualified and able to 
safely perform their work.
    Information used to determine and certify driver medical fitness 
must be collected in order for our highways to be safe. FMCSA is the 
Federal government agency authorized to require the collection of this 
information and the authorizing regulations are located at 49 CFR parts 
390-399. FMCSA is required by statute to establish standards for the 
physical qualifications of drivers who operate CMVs in interstate 
commerce for non-excepted industries [49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(3) and 
31502(b)]. The regulations discussing this collection are outlined in 
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) at 49 CFR part 
390-399. FMCSRs at 49 CFR 391.41 set forth the physical qualification 
standards that interstate CMV drivers who are subject to part 391 must 
meet, with the exception of commercial driver's license/commercial 
learner's permit (CDL/CLP) drivers transporting migrant workers (who 
must meet the physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 
398.3). The FMCSRs covering driver physical qualification records are 
found at 49 CFR 391.43, which specify that a medical examination be 
performed on CMV drivers subject to part 391 who operate in interstate 
commerce. The results of the examination shall be recorded in 
accordance with the requirements set forth in that section.
    49 CFR 391.41(b)(12) states that a person is physically qualified 
to drive a CMV if that person does not use any drug or substance 
identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 Schedule I, an amphetamine, a narcotic, or 
other habit-forming drug and does not use any non-Schedule I drug or 
substance that is identified in the other Schedules in 21 CFR part 1308 
except when the use is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner, 
as defined in Sec.  382.107, who is familiar with the driver's medical 
history and has advised the driver that the substance will not 
adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a CMV.
    In 2006, FMCSA's Medical Review Board (MRB) deliberated on the 
topic of the use of Schedule II medications. The MRB considered 
information provided in a 2006 FMCSA sponsored Evidence Report and a 
subsequent Medical Expert Panel (MEP) to examine the relationship 
between the licit use of Schedule II medications and the risk for a 
motor vehicle crash. In 2013, FMCSA tasked the MRB with updating the 
opinions and recommendations of the 2006 Evidence Report and MEP.
    On September 10, 2013, the MRB and Motor Carrier Safety Advisory 
Committee (MCSAC) met jointly to hear presentations on the licit use of 
Schedule II medications and their regulation, and on U.S. Department of 
Transportation drug and alcohol testing protocols. Subsequently, the 
committees engaged in a discussion on the issue as it applies to CMV 
drivers. On September 11, 2013, the MRB discussed the issue in greater 
detail as its task to present a report to the Agency relating to CMV 
drivers and Schedule II medication use and to develop a form for MEs on 
the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National 
Registry) to send to treating clinicians of CMV drivers to expound on 
the use of these medications by driver applicants. On October 22, 2013, 
the MRB submitted their recommendations to FMCSA. A MEP convened to 
provide an updated opinion on Schedule II Opioids and Stimulants & CMV 
Crash Risk and Driver Performance. The FMCSA revised the task of the 
MRB instructing them to review an updated evidence report and the MEP 
opinion that was furnished subsequent to its deliberations on Schedule 
II Opioids and Stimulants & CMV Crash Risk and Driver Performance: 
Evidence Report and Systematic Review. FMCSA directed the MRB to 
consider this report's findings and confer with the MCSAC on this topic 
during a joint meeting in October 2014. The MRB met in public meetings 
on July 29-30, 2014, and developed Schedule II medication 
recommendations. The MRB presented these recommendations to the MCSAC 
in a joint public meeting on October 27, 2014, where they were 
deliberated by both committees. As a result, FMCSA's MRB and MCSAC 
provided joint recommendations related to the use of Schedule II 
medications by CMV drivers. Because there is moderate evidence to 
support the contention that the licit use of opioids increases the risk 
of motor vehicle crashes and impacts indirect measures of driver 
performance negatively, included was the recommendation that FMCSA 
develop a standardized medication questionnaire to assist the certified 
ME when reviewing prescription medications that have been disclosed 
during the history and physical examination for CMV driver 
certification. The two advisory groups recommended to FMCSA that the 
standardized CMV driver medication questionnaire be voluntary and 
include the following information and questions:
    1. Questionnaire should be titled 391.41 CMV Driver Medication 
Questionnaire.
    2. Questionnaire should request the following information:
    a. Identifying name and date of birth of the CMV driver.

[[Page 44677]]

    b. Introductory paragraph stating purpose of the CMV Driver 
Medication Report.
    c. Statements of Sec.  391.41(b)(12) (Physical Qualifications of 
Drivers relating to driver use of scheduled substances) and The 
Driver's Role, as found in the Medical Examination Report form found at 
the end of 49 CFR 391.43 (Medical Examination; Certificate of Physical 
Examination).
    d. Name, state of licensure, signature, address and contact 
information of the prescribing healthcare provider, as well as the date 
the form was completed.
    e. Name, signature, date, address and contact information of the 
certified ME.
    3. Report should include the following information:
    a. 1--List all medications and dosages that you have prescribed to 
the above named individual.
    b. 2--List any other medications and dosages that you are aware 
have been prescribed to the above named individual by another treating 
healthcare provider.
    c. 3--What medical conditions are being treated with these 
medications?
    d. 4--It is my medical opinion that, considering the mental and 
physical requirements of operating a CMV and with awareness of a CMV 
driver's role (consistent with The Driver's Role statement on page 2 of 
the form), I believe my patient: (a) Has no medication side effects 
from medication(s) that I prescribe that would adversely affect the 
ability to operate a CMV safely; and (2) has no medical condition(s) 
that I am treating with the above medication(s) that would adversely 
affect the ability to operate a CMV safely.
    The public interest in, and right to have, safe highways requires 
the assurance that drivers of CMVs can safely perform the increased 
physical and mental demands of their duties. FMCSA's medical standards 
provide this assurance by requiring drivers to be examined and 
medically certified as physically and mentally qualified to drive.
    The purpose for collecting this information is to assist the ME in 
determining if the driver is medically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41 
and to ensure that there are no disqualifying medical conditions that 
could adversely affect their safe driving ability or cause 
incapacitation constituting a risk to the public. 49 CFR 391.41(b)(12) 
states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that 
person does not use any drug or substance identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 
Schedule I, an amphetamine, a narcotic, or other habit-forming drug and 
does not use any non-Schedule I drug or substance that is identified in 
the other Schedules in 21 CFR part 1308 except when the use is 
prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner, as defined in Sec.  
382.107, who is familiar with the driver's medical history and has 
advised the driver that the substance will not adversely affect the 
driver's ability to safely operate a CMV.
    The use of this IC is at the discretion of the ME to facilitate 
communication with treating healthcare professionals who are 
responsible for prescribing certain medications so that the ME fully 
understands the reasons the medications have been prescribed. This 
information will assist the ME in determining whether the underlying 
medical condition and the prescribed medication will impact the 
driver's safe operation of a CMV. Therefore, there is no required 
collection frequency.
    The 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form will be available as a 
fillable PDF or may be downloaded from the FMCSA Web site. Prescribing 
healthcare providers will be able to fax or scan and email the report 
to the certified ME. Consistent with the OMB's commitment to minimizing 
respondents' recordkeeping and paperwork burdens and the increased use 
of secure electronic modes of communication, the Agency anticipates 
that approximately 50 percent of the 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Forms 
will be transmitted electronically.
    The information collected from the 391.41 CMV Driver Medication 
Form, will be used by the certified ME that requested the completion of 
the form and will become part of the CMV driver's medical record 
maintained by the certified ME. Therefore, the information will not be 
available to the public. The FMCSRs covering driver physical 
qualification records are found at 49 CFR 391.43, which specify that a 
medical examination be performed on CMV drivers subject to part 391 who 
operate in interstate commerce. The results of the examination shall be 
recorded in accordance with the requirements set forth in that section. 
MEs are required to maintain records of the CMV driver medical 
examinations they conduct. Disclaimer language is displayed at the end 
of the medical form to declare sensitive information on the form must 
be handled and maintained securely to prevent inadvertent disclosure. 
The language also states the form is for official use only, by 
authorized persons, and the form should be properly disposed of when no 
longer required.

Discussion of Comments Received

A. Overview of Comments

    In response to the Federal Register notice published on November 
25, 2015, requesting public comment concerning the necessity of the 
proposed IC, the accuracy of the estimated burden, how the quality of 
collected information could be enhanced, and ways in which the burden 
could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected 
information (80 FR 73871), FMCSA received 14 comments. The commenters 
included certified MEs, CMV drivers, training organizations, the 
American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Owner-Operator Independent 
Drivers Association (OOIDA), and the American College of Occupational 
and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
    The first area of comments involved the effectiveness of the 391.41 
CMV Driver Medication Form. The second area of comments discussed the 
burden hours and costs. The final area of comments were issues that 
were considered outside the scope of this ICR and the optional use of 
the 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form. These comments will be briefly 
summarized with an explanation as to why the issues raised are not 
within the scope of this notice.
    Five commenters expressed support for the ICR and two commenters 
explicitly opposed the ICR. The remaining seven neither supported nor 
opposed the ICR, but raised concerns or provided suggestions for 
changes to the optional form.
    The following sections provide details regarding specific issues 
raised by the commenters.

B. Effectiveness of the 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form

    ACOEM acknowledged that the current process used by MEs is clearly 
inadequate but also feels that the form falls far short of being able 
to adequately assess whether a driver will be impaired by medications 
or an underlying medical condition. They also stated that many 
healthcare providers do not fully understand the safety risks and 
responsibilities of the CMV driver and would rely on the patient's 
statement that the medication does not impair the driver's ability to 
safely operate a CMV. Therefore, they believe that the prescribing 
healthcare provider statements would not be reliable. ACOEM also 
believes that the form does not go far enough to address the use of 
opioids by drivers and the rapid increase in adverse effects of opioid 
use and suggests that FMCSA strive for a form that becomes the standard 
of

[[Page 44678]]

practice that requires the treating provider and the ME to be aware of 
medications and conditions, including opioid use.
    Others commented that some physicians have no problem stating that 
their patient is safe to drive a CMV while taking these medications 
leaving the ME that disagrees and is not willing to issue the driver a 
MEC with a driver that is angry based on the differing opinions. OOIDA 
stated that the form would be a direct challenge to the treating 
physician according to Sec.  391.41(b)(12)(ii) that states ``A person 
is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that 
person does not use any non-Schedule I drug or substance that is 
identified in the other Schedules in 21 CFR part 1308 except when the 
use is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner, as defined in 
Sec.  392.107, who is familiar with the driver's medical history and 
has advised the driver that the substance will not adversely affect the 
driver's ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle.'' They believe 
that this form challenges the opinion of the driver's treating 
physician and puts it in the hands of a stranger with no knowledge of 
the driver's background and who is unfamiliar with the driver's medical 
history.
FMCSA Response
    FMCSA is providing the 391.43 CMV Driver Medication Form at the 
request of MEs to be used at their discretion, and as a resource for 
assisting MEs in making medical certification determinations of 
interstate CMV drivers. Use of the form is voluntary and MEs may do so 
in an effort to communicate with treating healthcare providers who are 
responsible for prescribing certain medications, so that the ME fully 
understands the reasons the medications have been prescribed. 
Information about the driver's role was specifically added to the form 
to assist those healthcare providers that do not fully understand the 
safety risks and responsibilities of the CMV driver and in an effort to 
obtain reliable data. The form was specifically designed to address any 
medications that a driver is taking that may impair his/her ability to 
safety operate a CMV and was not intended to address only opioids.
    The information obtained by the ME when utilizing the optional 
391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form will assist the ME in determining if 
the driver is medically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41 and to ensure 
that there are no disqualifying medical conditions or underlying 
medical conditions and prescribed medications that could adversely 
affect the driver's safe driving ability or cause incapacitation 
constituting a risk to the public. The decision to certify a driver is 
a discretionary decision that rests with the certifying ME. MEs may 
disqualify a driver who takes any medications or combination of 
medications and substances that may impair or interfere with safe 
driving practices.

C. Burden Hours and Costs

    Several commenters expressed concern that prescribing healthcare 
providers would not respond in a timely manner or at all, and that 
delays would be costly to drivers and motor carriers. ATA stated that 
FMCSA should consider the impact of potential delays to driver 
recertification, because the form does not advise prescribing 
healthcare providers to complete and return the form to the requesting 
ME within a specific timeframe, nor does it require MEs to certify a 
driver who is medically qualified even in the absence of the completed 
form. They expressed concern that the lack of such language could 
result in unnecessary and costly delays that would penalize qualified 
drivers due to circumstances that are out of their control. ATA 
recommended that if a prescribing healthcare provider is unable to 
return the form to a ME in a timely manner, FMCSA should advise MEs to 
continue to use their own judgement and certify drivers in these 
circumstances if they find them to be medically qualified.
    Others commented that MEs will find the proposed form to be too 
restrictive and excessive explaining that although a full list of 
medications seems to be a good idea, it could significantly increase 
the effort required by the prescribing healthcare providers which is 
counterproductive to obtaining their assistance. Suggestions were made 
to ask the prescribing healthcare provider a single question such as is 
the driver taking any other medications that may be a risk to safe 
driving, to list only those medications that would negatively affect 
the ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV, or to only ask about 
medications that are of concern that the patient reported. Dr. Michael 
Megehee recommended including a statement that FMCSA guidelines require 
the ME to ask the prescribing healthcare provider for assistance in 
determining whether the driver is safe to operate a CMV and they meet 
the FMCSRs and that although the ME considers the opinions of treating 
physicians, the ME is responsible for making the final medical 
qualification determination.
    ATA stated that while this IC may be a useful tool to many MEs in 
determining whether a driver is medically qualified, in certain cases, 
it will not always be necessary. They believe that in most situations, 
the ME should be able to verify the accuracy of the information 
provided by the driver and the need for the medication based upon their 
training and experience in performing medical examinations and a robust 
conversation with the driver. They suggested that to avoid any 
unnecessary and costly delays to drivers and carriers alike, FMCSA 
should emphasize to MEs that the form is strictly voluntary and not a 
de facto standard when performing medical examinations. They also 
suggested that the form be consistent with the newly revised MER Form, 
MCSA-5875 by limiting its inquiry into medications that the driver is 
currently prescribed and that the prescribing healthcare provider 
should only report those medications that they can confirm have been 
prescribed. They stated that asking for all prescribed medications 
imposes a burden on healthcare providers without any significant 
positive impact on safety and suggested asking healthcare providers to 
list those medications that a driver is currently prescribed and would 
negatively affect their ability to safely operate a CMV will 
dramatically limit the collection burden without diminishing the 
quality of the information being collected.
    OOIDA stated that there will be an increase in the number of 
inconsistencies in the medical certification process as MEs with no 
personal relationship with the driver attempt to evaluate a great deal 
of long-term medication usage. They stated that the proposed use of the 
391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form invites second guessing of a primary 
physician by MEs who are empowered by an unreliable medical form and 
that it invites the ME to question every medication and dosage which 
has been previously prescribed. They feel that this IC will only 
increase problems drivers have already experienced with MDs, which have 
resulted in higher costs and lengthier delays for drivers. Ultimately, 
they stated that the IC will lead to higher costs and longer wait times 
for drivers as they complete the examination with a ME and that it is 
already a common occurrence for the ME to conduct excessive testing 
beyond what is required under the current medical examination form. 
OOIDA points out that the IC is not limited to Schedule II drugs and 
could include items with no perceptible link to the safe operation of a 
CMV and believes that requesting an unlimited amount of

[[Page 44679]]

information is not helpful to determining a driver's fitness to operate 
a CMV and that there is no need to require a listing of any prescribed 
drugs beyond those regulated by Sec.  382.213: Controlled substance 
use.
FMCSA Response
    FMCSA does not believe that the form will add any time to the 
certification decision nor is it necessary to advise the ME to make a 
certification decision at any specified time after sending the 391.41 
CMV Driver Medication Form to the prescribing healthcare provider. In 
addition, the Medical Examiner's Certification Integration final rule 
provides a determination pending category that allows the driver to 
continue to operate a CMV as long as the driver has an unexpired MEC, 
for a maximum of 45 days, if the ME needs additional information to 
make a certification decision making additional delays unlikely.
    As previously stated, the form was specifically designed to address 
any prescription medications that a driver is taking that may impair 
his/her ability to safely operate a CMV. Therefore, the Agency does not 
believe that the form is too restrictive or excessive nor will it 
significantly increase the effort required by the prescribing 
healthcare providers. Instead, the Agency believes that the form will 
be a useful resource for MEs in making a medical certification decision 
of drivers that are taking prescribed medications.
    Because the prescribing healthcare provider is not trained 
regarding the FMCSRs and may not be a certified ME, FMCSA does not 
believe that asking the prescribing healthcare provider a single 
question such as is the driver taking any other medications that may be 
a risk to safe driving, to list only those medications that would 
negatively affect the ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV, or 
to only ask about medications that are of concern that the patient 
reported would provide reliable information to assist the ME in making 
a medical certification decision. FMCSA is not requiring MEs to use the 
391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form, use of the form is completely 
voluntary. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to add a statement 
that FMCSA is requiring MEs to ask the prescribing healthcare provider 
for assistance in determining whether the driver is safe to operate a 
CMV and that they meet the FMCSRs. The fact that the ME is responsible 
for making the final medical certification determination is stated on 
the form.
    FMCSA continues to emphasize that the 391.41 CMV Driver Medication 
Form is optional and may be used at the discretion of the ME as a 
resource for the ME to communicate with prescribing healthcare 
providers, enabling the ME to make a more informed medical 
certification determination. When used, this form will supplement the 
MER Form, MCSA-5875 by asking for all medications that the prescribing 
healthcare provider has prescribed and any other medications that they 
are aware have been prescribed by another treating healthcare provider, 
and was designed to address any prescription medications that a driver 
is taking that may impair his/her ability to safety operate a CMV. The 
Agency does not feel that asking for all medications prescribed on this 
optional form imposes a burden on healthcare providers without any 
significant positive impact on safety and that limiting the collection 
to only medications that a driver is currently prescribed that the 
prescribing healthcare provider feels would negatively affect their 
ability to safely operate a CMV would diminish the quality of the 
information being collected.
    Interstate CMV drivers are required to use a certified ME listed on 
the National Registry for their medical examination and certification. 
Therefore, in many cases the driver is going to a ME that they do not 
have a personal relationship with. The use of the optional 391.41 CMV 
Driver Medication Form does not change this fact nor does it have a 
negative impact. The 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form is a tool to 
collect information that the MEs already collect at their discretion 
when performing driver examinations. This optional form will serve as a 
resource for the ME to use in communicating with prescribing healthcare 
providers, enabling the ME to make a more informed medical 
certification determination. The decision to certify a driver is a 
discretionary decision that continues to rest with the certifying ME. 
As previously stated, MEs may disqualify a driver who takes any 
medications or combination of medications and substances that may 
impair or interfere with safe driving practices.

D. Issues Outside the Scope of This Notice

    A number of respondents submitted comments on topics that were 
outside the scope of what was proposed in this notice. This notice 
specifically requested comments related to the proposed IC and optional 
form to be used as an IC tool.
1. Schedule II Medication Use
    OOIDA disputed the fact that there is moderate evidence of 
increased risk due to Schedule II drug use and stated that the paucity 
of data shows that few CMV drivers have had problems with licit 
Schedule II drug use, or even prescription medications. They also 
stated that studies do not show that a significant number of CMV 
operators are crashing due to prescription medication use and that 
because insufficient data exists regarding the use of Schedule II drugs 
by CMV drivers should be an indication to the MRB and FMCSA that there 
are very few CMV drivers who have had problems with licit Schedule II 
drug usage.
    Dr. Kurt T. Hegmann stated that this form should not be adopted for 
opioids/Schedule II medications, because this form is not evidence-
based, not validated, there is no objective test to figure out who is 
unsafe and will crash if using opioids/Schedule II medications, and the 
form will cause a false sense of security that both endorses narcotics-
using truck drivers and a method to sign the form to approve them to 
drive under the influence, and is likely to inadvertently further 
increase fatalities. He also stated that the form appears to evade the 
FDA-supported advice on opioid prescription labels that uniformly warn 
against vehicle operation and suggested we adopt the 2006 MEP 
recommendation to eliminate the potential exception that a prescriber 
who thought someone could drive, would be allowed to drive on opioids. 
Dr. Hegamann believes that this form will not help the Agency meet its 
primary mission. Instead he states that individuals using opioids 
should not drive trucks and instead should be tapered and/or de-toxed 
and then resume driving off those medications.
    On the other hand, ACOEM, stated that the form does not go far 
enough to address the use of opioids by drivers and the rapid increase 
in adverse effects of opioid use. They pointed out that the original 
proposed version of this form goes back to the 2006 Schedule II 
Medication Panel and had significantly more content, which would have 
given the treating provider and the ME a clearer understanding of the 
impairment risks of the medications. They suggested any form 
incorporate some of the recommendations from the MRB and MCSAC joint 
Task 14-3: Schedule II Controlled Substances and CMV Drivers including 
the recommendation that a driver should not be medically qualified to 
operate a CMV while he/she is under treatment with narcotics or any 
narcotic derivative without exception. They go

[[Page 44680]]

on to explain that because the current exception remains in the FMCSRs 
(40 CFR 391.41(b)(12)(ii)), they recommend guidelines be provided to 
MEs regarding the use of narcotics.
FMCSA Response
    Although optional use of the 391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form was 
introduced as a result of the MRB and MCSAC recommendations related to 
the use of Schedule II medications by CMV drivers, the recommendation 
was for FMCSA to develop a standardized form to assist the certified ME 
when reviewing prescription medications that have been disclosed during 
the history and physical examination for CMV driver certification. 
Therefore, the form was not designed to specifically address Schedule 
II medications. The form was designed to address any prescription 
medications that a driver is taking that may impair his/her ability to 
safety operate a CMV. FMCSA is not considering a change in the 
regulations or guidance that would prohibit or advise the ME regarding 
Schedule II medications at this time. Therefore, these comments are 
outside of the scope of this notice.
2. Qualifications of the ME
    Several commenters stated that a ME might not be qualified to make 
a medical qualification decision if the driver uses Schedule II 
medications, because of a lack of training in pharmacology.
    OOIDA stated that the personal physician is best equipped to review 
a driver's medical history and suggested that a personal physician be 
the one to review the driver's medical history and make the decision 
whether a medication will adversely affect the driver's ability to 
safely operate a CMV.
    Dr. Hegmann advocated for implementation of the MRB's 
recommendation that ME eligibility be limited to those medically 
trained (i.e., MD, DO, PA and NPs). He stated that the concept that 
these medically untrained examiners can make an informed judgment about 
driver impairment from narcotics, assess how opioids may interact with 
other medications, provide guidance to truck drivers, and judge fitness 
to drive is factually false. Dr. Hegmann feels that FMCSA does not rely 
on recommendations of the MRB and will selectively use whichever source 
of guidance is least restrictive which is directly contrary to the 
central, stated purpose of the Agency.
FMCSA Response
    FMCSA responded to the question of who is qualified to be a ME in 
the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners final rule (77 FR 
24106, April 20, 2012), and is not considering a change to the 
regulation in 49 CFR 390.103, Eligibility requirements for medical 
examiner certification in this notice. Therefore, these comments are 
outside the scope of this notice.
    Public Comments Invited: FMCSA requests that you comment on any 
aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the 
proposed collection is necessary for FMCSA to perform its functions, 
(2) the accuracy of the estimated burden, (3) ways for the FMCSA to 
enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected 
information, and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized without 
reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments received in 
response to this notice are sent to the OMB Desk Officer to address.

    Issued under the authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.87 on: June 30, 
2016.
G. Kelly Regal,
Associate Administrator, Office of Research and Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2016-16199 Filed 7-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P