Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption; Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler), 45217-45218 [2016-16425]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 12, 2016 / Notices as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number FMCSA–2016–0030 in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, click ‘‘Open DocketFolder’’ button and choose the document listed to review. If you do not 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. III. Public Participation and Request for Comments FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and related materials. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES James L. Yingst Mr. Yingst, 53, has had blindness in his right eye due to a traumatic incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is light perception, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2015, his optometrist stated, ‘‘After performing a visual examination of Mr. Yingst it is in my professional opinion he is visually able to safely operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Yingst reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 30 years, accumulating 360,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. [FR Doc. 2016–16430 Filed 7–11–16; 8:45 am] 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–2016–0030 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. FMCSA may issue a final determination at any time after the close of the comment period. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:30 Jul 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 Issued on: June 29, 2016. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0032] 45217 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 on-line FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning this notice, contact Ms. Pearlie Robinson, FMCSA Driver and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards; Telephone: 202–366– 4325. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Participation Commercial Driver’s License Standards: Application for Exemption; Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition; grant of application for exemption. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant an exemption to Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler) for one of its commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Daimler requested a five-year exemption from the Federal requirement to hold a U.S. commercial driver’s license (CDL) for Ms. Melanie Baumann, executive assistant to the head of the Daimler Trucks and Bus Division. Ms. Baumann holds a valid German commercial license and wants to test drive Daimler vehicles on U.S. roads to better understand product requirements in ‘‘real world’’ environments, and verify results. Daimler believes the requirements for a German commercial license ensure that operation under the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption. DATES: This exemption is effective June 30, 2016, and expires June 29, 2021. ADDRESSES: Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit Room W12–140 on the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number, ‘‘FMCSA–2012–0032 in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, click the ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ button and choose the document to review. If you do not 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. II. Legal Basis FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the request. 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 by the E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1 45218 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 12, 2016 / Notices mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)) with the reason for the grant or denial, and, if granted, the specific person or class of persons receiving the exemption, and the regulatory provision or provisions from which exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the effective period of the exemption (up to 5 years), and explain its terms and conditions. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)). Section 5206(a)(3) of the ‘‘Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act,’’ (FAST Act) [Pub. L. 114–94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1537, Dec. 4, 2015], amended 49 U.S.C. 31315(b) by adding a new paragraph (2) which permits exemptions for no longer than five years from their dates of inception, instead of the previous two years. This statutory provision will be codified in 49 CFR part 381 in a forthcoming rulemaking. III. Request for Exemption Daimler applied for a 30-day waiver and a 5-year exemption from 49 CFR 383.23, which prescribes licensing requirements for drivers operating CMVs in interstate or intrastate commerce, for one of its drivers, Ms. Melanie Baumann. Ms. Baumann holds a valid German commercial license but is unable to obtain a CDL in any of the U.S. States due to residency requirements. A copy of the application is in Docket No. FMCSA–2012–0032. On April 3, 2016, FMCSA granted Ms. Baumann a waiver effective from June 1 through June 30, 2016, to allow her to drive Daimler vehicles as described in the application for the exemption. The 5-year exemption will replace the waiver before it expires. Ms. Baumann needs to drive Daimler vehicles on public roads to better understand ‘‘real world’’ environments in the U.S. market. According to Daimler, Ms. Baumann will typically drive for no more than 6 hours per day for 2 consecutive days, and that 10 percent of the test driving will be on two-lane State highways, while 90 percent will be on Interstate highways. The driving will consist of no more than 200 miles per day, for a total of 400 miles during a two-day period on a quarterly basis. She will in all cases be accompanied by a holder of a U.S. CDL who is familiar with the routes to be traveled. Ms. Baumann holds a valid German commercial license, and as explained by Daimler in its exemption request, the requirements for that license ensure that the same level of safety is met or exceeded as if this driver had a U.S. CDL. Furthermore, according to VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:30 Jul 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 Daimler, Ms. Baumann is familiar with the operation of CMVs worldwide. FMCSA has previously determined that the process for obtaining a German commercial license is comparable to, or as effective as, the requirements of part 383, and adequately assesses the driver’s ability to operate CMVs in the U.S. Since 2012, FMCSA has granted Daimler drivers similar exemptions [May 25, 2012 (77 FR 31422); July 22, 2014 (79 FR 42626); March 27, 2015 (80 FR 16511); October 5, 2015 (80 FR 60220); December 7, 2015 (80 FR 76059); December 21, 2015 (80 FR 79410)]. Public Comments On April 5, 2016, FMCSA published notice of this application and requested public comments (81 FR 19702). There were no comments in opposition or in support of the proposed exemption. FMCSA Decision Based upon the merits of this application, including Ms. Baumann’s extensive driving experience and safety record, FMCSA concluded that the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent such exemption, in accordance with § 381.305(a). Terms and Conditions for the Exemption FMCSA grants Daimler and Melanie Baumann an exemption from the CDL requirement in 49 CFR 383.23 to allow Ms. Baumann to drive CMVs in this country without a U.S. State-issued CDL, subject to the following terms and conditions: (1) The driver and carrier must comply with all other applicable provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) (49 CFR parts 350–399); (2) the driver must be in possession of the exemption document and a valid German commercial license; (3) the driver must be employed by and operate the CMV within the scope of her duties for Daimler; (4) at all times while operating a CMV under this exemption, the driver must be accompanied by a holder of a U.S. CDL who is familiar with the routes traveled; (5) Daimler must notify FMCSA in writing within 5 business days of any accident, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, involving this driver; and (6) Daimler must notify FMCSA in writing if this driver is convicted of a disqualifying offense under § 383.51 or § 391.15 of the FMCSRs. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the exemption will be valid for 5 years unless revoked earlier by the FMCSA. The exemption will be PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 revoked if: (1) Ms. Baumann fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption results in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would be inconsistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136. VIII. Preemption In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate or intrastate commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption with respect to a firm or person operating under the exemption. Issued on: June 29, 2016. T.F. Scott Darling, III, Acting Administrator . [FR Doc. 2016–16425 Filed 7–11–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2008–0065] Petition for Waiver of Compliance In accordance with part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document dated May, 4, 2016, the Maryland Transit Administration (MARC) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR 238.309(a)(2), 229.27(a)(2), and 229.29(e). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2008–0065. MARC’s purpose for the submission of this petition is to gain acceptance by FRA of the application of the following alternate standards for the CCB–KE–3.9 air brake system of the MARC HHP–8 locomotives. This alternate standard to 49 CFR 229.29(e) and 238.309(a)(2) is to allow for the level two and level three maintenance intervals to be 2,944 days (8 years). This request for the application of an alternate standard is based on the results of an age exploration study for the HHP8 air brake system as outlined in Docket Numbers FRA–2008–0065 and FRA–2001–10596. A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140, E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45217-45218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16425]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0032]


Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption; 
Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler)

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition; grant of application for 
exemption.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant an exemption to Daimler 
Trucks North America (Daimler) for one of its commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers. Daimler requested a five-year exemption from the Federal 
requirement to hold a U.S. commercial driver's license (CDL) for Ms. 
Melanie Baumann, executive assistant to the head of the Daimler Trucks 
and Bus Division. Ms. Baumann holds a valid German commercial license 
and wants to test drive Daimler vehicles on U.S. roads to better 
understand product requirements in ``real world'' environments, and 
verify results. Daimler believes the requirements for a German 
commercial license ensure that operation under the exemption will 
likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the 
level that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption.

DATES: This exemption is effective June 30, 2016, and expires June 29, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: 
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit 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 on-line FDMS is available 24 hours each 
day, 365 days each year.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning this 
notice, contact Ms. Pearlie Robinson, FMCSA Driver and Carrier 
Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety 
Standards; Telephone: 202-366-4325. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov. If you have 
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact 
Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov and insert 
the docket number, ``FMCSA-2012-0032 in the ``Keyword'' box and click 
``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket Folder'' button and choose 
the document to review. If you do not 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.

II. Legal Basis

    FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant 
exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. FMCSA 
must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register 
(49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity 
to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any 
safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide 
an opportunity for public comment on the request.
    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 by the

[[Page 45218]]

current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be 
published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)) with the reason 
for the grant or denial, and, if granted, the specific person or class 
of persons receiving the exemption, and the regulatory provision or 
provisions from which exemption is granted. The notice must also 
specify the effective period of the exemption (up to 5 years), and 
explain its terms and conditions. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 
381.300(b)).
    Section 5206(a)(3) of the ``Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
Act,'' (FAST Act) [Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1537, Dec. 4, 2015], 
amended 49 U.S.C. 31315(b) by adding a new paragraph (2) which permits 
exemptions for no longer than five years from their dates of inception, 
instead of the previous two years. This statutory provision will be 
codified in 49 CFR part 381 in a forthcoming rulemaking.

III. Request for Exemption

    Daimler applied for a 30-day waiver and a 5-year exemption from 49 
CFR 383.23, which prescribes licensing requirements for drivers 
operating CMVs in interstate or intrastate commerce, for one of its 
drivers, Ms. Melanie Baumann. Ms. Baumann holds a valid German 
commercial license but is unable to obtain a CDL in any of the U.S. 
States due to residency requirements. A copy of the application is in 
Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0032.
    On April 3, 2016, FMCSA granted Ms. Baumann a waiver effective from 
June 1 through June 30, 2016, to allow her to drive Daimler vehicles as 
described in the application for the exemption. The 5-year exemption 
will replace the waiver before it expires. Ms. Baumann needs to drive 
Daimler vehicles on public roads to better understand ``real world'' 
environments in the U.S. market. According to Daimler, Ms. Baumann will 
typically drive for no more than 6 hours per day for 2 consecutive 
days, and that 10 percent of the test driving will be on two-lane State 
highways, while 90 percent will be on Interstate highways. The driving 
will consist of no more than 200 miles per day, for a total of 400 
miles during a two-day period on a quarterly basis. She will in all 
cases be accompanied by a holder of a U.S. CDL who is familiar with the 
routes to be traveled.
    Ms. Baumann holds a valid German commercial license, and as 
explained by Daimler in its exemption request, the requirements for 
that license ensure that the same level of safety is met or exceeded as 
if this driver had a U.S. CDL. Furthermore, according to Daimler, Ms. 
Baumann is familiar with the operation of CMVs worldwide.
    FMCSA has previously determined that the process for obtaining a 
German commercial license is comparable to, or as effective as, the 
requirements of part 383, and adequately assesses the driver's ability 
to operate CMVs in the U.S. Since 2012, FMCSA has granted Daimler 
drivers similar exemptions [May 25, 2012 (77 FR 31422); July 22, 2014 
(79 FR 42626); March 27, 2015 (80 FR 16511); October 5, 2015 (80 FR 
60220); December 7, 2015 (80 FR 76059); December 21, 2015 (80 FR 
79410)].
Public Comments
    On April 5, 2016, FMCSA published notice of this application and 
requested public comments (81 FR 19702). There were no comments in 
opposition or in support of the proposed exemption.
FMCSA Decision
    Based upon the merits of this application, including Ms. Baumann's 
extensive driving experience and safety record, FMCSA concluded that 
the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent 
to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent such 
exemption, in accordance with Sec.  381.305(a).
Terms and Conditions for the Exemption
    FMCSA grants Daimler and Melanie Baumann an exemption from the CDL 
requirement in 49 CFR 383.23 to allow Ms. Baumann to drive CMVs in this 
country without a U.S. State-issued CDL, subject to the following terms 
and conditions: (1) The driver and carrier must comply with all other 
applicable provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 
(FMCSRs) (49 CFR parts 350-399); (2) the driver must be in possession 
of the exemption document and a valid German commercial license; (3) 
the driver must be employed by and operate the CMV within the scope of 
her duties for Daimler; (4) at all times while operating a CMV under 
this exemption, the driver must be accompanied by a holder of a U.S. 
CDL who is familiar with the routes traveled; (5) Daimler must notify 
FMCSA in writing within 5 business days of any accident, as defined in 
49 CFR 390.5, involving this driver; and (6) Daimler must notify FMCSA 
in writing if this driver is convicted of a disqualifying offense under 
Sec.  383.51 or Sec.  391.15 of the FMCSRs.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the exemption will 
be valid for 5 years unless revoked earlier by the FMCSA. The exemption 
will be revoked if: (1) Ms. Baumann fails to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption results in a lower level 
of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) 
continuation of the exemption would be inconsistent with the goals and 
objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136.

VIII. Preemption

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 
381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall 
enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate or intrastate 
commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption 
with respect to a firm or person operating under the exemption.

    Issued on: June 29, 2016.
T.F. Scott Darling, III,
Acting Administrator .
[FR Doc. 2016-16425 Filed 7-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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