Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision, 18954-18956 [2017-08195]

Download as PDF 18954 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 77 / Monday, April 24, 2017 / Notices The qualifications and medical condition of each applicant were stated and discussed in detail in the March 7, 2017, Federal Register notice and they will not be repeated in this notice. III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding. IV. Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. To evaluate the effect of these exemptions on safety, FMCSA considered medical reports about the applicants’ ITDM and vision, and reviewed the treating endocrinologists’ medical opinion related to the ability of the driver to safely operate a CMV while using insulin. Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these applicants from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES V. Conditions and Requirements The terms and conditions of the exemption will be provided to the applicants in the exemption document and they include the following: (1) That each individual submit a quarterly monitoring checklist completed by the treating endocrinologist as well as an annual checklist with a comprehensive medical evaluation; (2) that each individual reports within 2 business days of occurrence, all episodes of severe hypoglycemia, significant complications, or inability to manage diabetes; also, any involvement in an accident or any other adverse event in a CMV or personal vehicle, whether or not it is related to an episode of hypoglycemia; (3) that each individual provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s report to the medical examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (4) that each individual provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver’s qualification file, or keep a copy in his/her driver’s qualification file if he/she is selfemployed. The driver must also have a copy of the certification when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:48 Apr 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 VI. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the 28 exemption applications, FMCSA exempts the following drivers from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3): Larry A. Acton (KS) Matthew M. Bauer (MI) Gerald T. Booth (NY) Jeremy D. Carpenter (AL) David L. Carraway (NC) Mitchell S. Crites (OH) Martin K. Dennis (PA) Ryan E. Dickinson (NY) John T. Edmiston (TX) Malcolm C. Ferriell (IN) Saul Gates, III (TX) Paul S. Hare (VA) Jimmie E. Johnson (IN) Ronald A. Karr (SD) David A. Morrill (ME) Parker L. Pearce (TX) Raymond L. Ramsey (NH) Ronald A. Routh (OK) Sean R. Shakespeare (NV) Ryan B. Silva (MA) Kent A. Smith (KS) Zachary C. Smith (MT) Jennifer S. Starr (OR) Benjamin T. Weinheimer, Jr. (TX) Walter D. West (MO) John K. Windler (IN) Kathy A. Wofford (GA) Shawn L. Wood (CO) In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 each exemption is valid for two years 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 before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315. If the exemption is still effective at the end of the 2-year period, the person may apply to FMCSA for a renewal under procedures in effect at that time. Issued on: April 17, 2017. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2017–08194 Filed 4–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2017–0016] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments. ACTION: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 10 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 24, 2017. All comments will be investigated by FMCSA. The exemptions will be issued the day after the comment period closes. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA– 2017–0016 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Instructions: 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 https:// 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 https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., 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 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 77 / Monday, April 24, 2017 / Notices 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 of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64– 113, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier 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.’’ FMCSA can renew exemptions at the end of each 2-year period. The 10 individuals listed in this notice have each requested such an exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether granting an exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by statute. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Qualifications of Applicants Russel R. Dixon Mr. Dixon, 50, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/200. Following an examination in 2017, his ophthalmologist stated, ‘‘I certify that Mr. Dixon has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required for operating a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Dixon reported that he has driven straight trucks for 35 years, accumulating 1.85 million miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 26 years, accumulating 416,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Virginia. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and one conviction for a moving VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:48 Apr 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 violation in a CMV; he was cited for failure to pay full-time attention. Robert A. Fasset Mr. Fasset, 51, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/25, and in his left eye, 20/200. Following an examination in 2016, his optometrist stated, ‘‘In my medical opinion, Mr. Fasset has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Fasset reported that he has driven straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating 125,000 miles. He holds a Class CB CDL from Michigan. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. William M. Hanes Mr. Hanes, 56, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/800. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ‘‘I do believe Mr. Hanes has sufficient vision to perform the essential tasks for operating a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Hanes reported that he has driven straight trucks for 37 years, accumulating 2.2 million miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 3 years, accumulating 150,000 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. Ryan P. Lambert Mr. Lambert, 37, has had complete loss of vision in his right eye due to glaucoma in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is no light perception, and in his left eye, 20/15. Following an examination in 2016, his optometrist stated, ‘‘Ryan Lambert has sufficient vision to perform the driving tests required to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Lambert reported that he has driven straight trucks for 19 years, accumulating 950,000 miles. He holds an operator’s license from Utah. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Richard D. Patterson Mr. Patterson, 60, has had glaucoma in his right eye since 2005. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/40, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2016, his ophthalmologist stated, ‘‘In my opinion, Mr. Patterson has sufficient vision in his left eye to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Robinson reported that he PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 18955 has driven straight trucks for 32 years, accumulating 4 million 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. Jonathan W. Pryor Mr. Pryor, 34, has an enucleation of his right eye due to a fungal infection in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is no light perception, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2017, his ophthalmologist stated, ‘‘In my medical opinion, Mr. Pryor has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Pryor reported that he has driven straight trucks for 14 years, accumulating 60,000 miles. He holds an operator’s license from Oklahoma. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Ernesto Silva Mr. Silva, 50, has a prosthetic in his left eye due to a traumatic incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, no light perception. Following an examination in 2016, his optometrist stated, ‘‘Patient was blinded by trauma in this eye at age 10. He is well adapted, and should be considered to be save [sic] to drive commercially, as he has for many years.’’ Mr. Silva reported that he has driven straight trucks for 10 years, accumulating 8,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Mexico. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Dennis L. Spence Mr. Spence, 72, has had amblyopia in his right eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/400, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2016, his optometrist stated, ‘‘Mr. Spence has normal visual acuity in his left eye and has lived with low vision in his right eye his entire life . . . It seems reasonable that he should be able to operate a commercial vehicle as long as his current level of physical and mental health does not decline.’’ Mr. Spence reported that he has driven straight trucks for 52 years, accumulating 780,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 52 years, accumulating 2.6 million miles. He holds an enhanced driver’s license from Washington. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1 18956 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 77 / Monday, April 24, 2017 / Notices Gordon R. Ulm Mr. Ulm, 72, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/400. Following an examination in 2017, his ophthalmologist stated, ‘‘Mr. Ulm has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Ulm reported that he has driven straight trucks for 30 years, accumulating 90,000 miles. He holds an operator’s license from Ohio. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. Gary L. Warner Mr. Warner, 61, has had a prosthetic left eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, no light perception. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ‘‘Mr. Warner had been driving commercial vehicles for almost 40 years, he is completely adapted to his eye injury many years ago and I have no visual concerns regarding his safe operation of a commercial vehicle.’’ Mr. Warner reported that he has driven tractortrailer combinations for 17 years, accumulating 467,500 miles. He holds a Class AM CDL from Virginia. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV. 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. 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–2017–0016 in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, click ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ 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. Issued on: April 17, 2017. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES III. Public Participation and Request for Comments FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and related materials. [FR Doc. 2017–08195 Filed 4–21–17; 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–2017–0016 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 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:48 Apr 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0377] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 17 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers. DATES: The exemptions were granted April 8, 2017. The exemptions expire on April 8, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64– 113, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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., 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 described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. II. Background On March 8, 2017, FMCSA published a notice of receipt of exemption applications from certain individuals, and requested comments from the public (82 FR 13045). That notice listed 17 applicants’ case histories. The 17 individuals applied for exemptions from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), for drivers who operate CMVs in interstate commerce. Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption for a 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. Accordingly, FMCSA has evaluated the 17 applications on their merits and made a determination to grant exemptions to each of them. E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 77 (Monday, April 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18954-18956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08195]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0016]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

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

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 10 individuals 
for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in 
one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these 
individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate 
commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. 
If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as 
drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 24, 2017. All 
comments will be investigated by FMCSA. The exemptions will be issued 
the day after the comment period closes.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0016 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Instructions: 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 https://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 https://www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12-140 
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., 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 18955]]

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-113, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions 
regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket 
Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the Federal Motor Carrier 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.'' FMCSA can renew exemptions at the end of each 
2-year period. The 10 individuals listed in this notice have each 
requested such an exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. 
Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each 
applicant to determine whether granting an exemption will achieve the 
required level of safety mandated by statute.

II. Qualifications of Applicants

Russel R. Dixon

    Mr. Dixon, 50, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/
200. Following an examination in 2017, his ophthalmologist stated, ``I 
certify that Mr. Dixon has sufficient vision to perform the driving 
tasks required for operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Dixon reported 
that he has driven straight trucks for 35 years, accumulating 1.85 
million miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 26 years, 
accumulating 416,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Virginia. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and one conviction 
for a moving violation in a CMV; he was cited for failure to pay full-
time attention.

Robert A. Fasset

    Mr. Fasset, 51, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/25, and in his left eye, 20/
200. Following an examination in 2016, his optometrist stated, ``In my 
medical opinion, Mr. Fasset has sufficient vision to perform the 
driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Fasset 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating 
125,000 miles. He holds a Class CB CDL from Michigan. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

William M. Hanes

    Mr. Hanes, 56, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/
800. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, ``I do 
believe Mr. Hanes has sufficient vision to perform the essential tasks 
for operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Hanes reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 37 years, accumulating 2.2 million miles, 
and tractor-trailer combinations for 3 years, accumulating 150,000 
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.

Ryan P. Lambert

    Mr. Lambert, 37, has had complete loss of vision in his right eye 
due to glaucoma in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is no 
light perception, and in his left eye, 20/15. Following an examination 
in 2016, his optometrist stated, ``Ryan Lambert has sufficient vision 
to perform the driving tests required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Lambert reported that he has driven straight trucks for 
19 years, accumulating 950,000 miles. He holds an operator's license 
from Utah. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and 
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Richard D. Patterson

    Mr. Patterson, 60, has had glaucoma in his right eye since 2005. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/40, and in his left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2016, his ophthalmologist stated, ``In 
my opinion, Mr. Patterson has sufficient vision in his left eye to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Robinson reported that he has driven straight trucks for 32 years, 
accumulating 4 million 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.

Jonathan W. Pryor

    Mr. Pryor, 34, has an enucleation of his right eye due to a fungal 
infection in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is no light 
perception, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 
2017, his ophthalmologist stated, ``In my medical opinion, Mr. Pryor 
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Pryor reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 14 years, accumulating 60,000 miles. He holds an operator's 
license from Oklahoma. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Ernesto Silva

    Mr. Silva, 50, has a prosthetic in his left eye due to a traumatic 
incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and 
in his left eye, no light perception. Following an examination in 2016, 
his optometrist stated, ``Patient was blinded by trauma in this eye at 
age 10. He is well adapted, and should be considered to be save [sic] 
to drive commercially, as he has for many years.'' Mr. Silva reported 
that he has driven straight trucks for 10 years, accumulating 8,000 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Mexico. His driving record for 
the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV.

Dennis L. Spence

    Mr. Spence, 72, has had amblyopia in his right eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/400, and in his left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2016, his optometrist stated, ``Mr. 
Spence has normal visual acuity in his left eye and has lived with low 
vision in his right eye his entire life . . . It seems reasonable that 
he should be able to operate a commercial vehicle as long as his 
current level of physical and mental health does not decline.'' Mr. 
Spence reported that he has driven straight trucks for 52 years, 
accumulating 780,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 52 
years, accumulating 2.6 million miles. He holds an enhanced driver's 
license from Washington. His driving record for the last 3 years shows 
no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

[[Page 18956]]

Gordon R. Ulm

    Mr. Ulm, 72, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. The 
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/400. 
Following an examination in 2017, his ophthalmologist stated, ``Mr. Ulm 
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Ulm reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 30 years, accumulating 90,000 miles. He holds an operator's 
license from Ohio. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Gary L. Warner

    Mr. Warner, 61, has had a prosthetic left eye since childhood. The 
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, no light 
perception. Following an examination in 2017, his optometrist stated, 
``Mr. Warner had been driving commercial vehicles for almost 40 years, 
he is completely adapted to his eye injury many years ago and I have no 
visual concerns regarding his safe operation of a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Warner reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 
17 years, accumulating 467,500 miles. He holds a Class AM CDL from 
Virginia. 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-2017-0016 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 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.
    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.

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-2017-0016 in the ``Keyword'' box and 
click ``Search.'' Next, click ``Open Docket Folder'' 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.

    Issued on: April 17, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
 Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-08195 Filed 4-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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