Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing, 12640-12641 [2018-05862]

Download as PDF 12640 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Notices public scoping meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the Embassy Suites located at 4800 S. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217. The second public scoping meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the West Mecklenburg High School Cafeteria, located at 7400 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214. For both meetings, the format will include an open-house workshop followed by a public comment period. During the public comment period, members of the public may provide up to a 3-minute statement. Oral comments will be transcribed by a stenographer. All comments received during the 45day scoping comment period be considered in the preparation of the EIS, regardless of whether the comment is provided orally or in writing. More information on the Proposed Action and the NEPA process is available on the project website at: www.clteis.com. Issued in Memphis, TN, on March 12, 2018. Phillip J. Braden, Manager, Memphis Airports District Office, Southern Region. [FR Doc. 2018–05583 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration One Hundred and First RTCA 159 Plenary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: One Hundred and First RTCA 159 Plenary. AGENCY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of One Hundred and First RTCA 159 Plenary. DATES: The meeting will be held May 03, 2018 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EDT. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at: Virtual: https://rtca.webex.com/rtca/ j.php?MTID=m898a2c3d9227c3b 790bf19f89196dd35, Meeting number (access code): 639 753 422, Meeting password: Sc-159_101!. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karan Hofmann at khofmann@rtca.org or 202–330–0680, or The RTCA Secretariat, 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036, or by telephone at (202) 833–9339, fax at (202) 833–9434, or website at https:// www.rtca.org. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:32 Mar 21, 2018 Jkt 244001 Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 5 U.S.C., App.), notice is hereby given for a meeting of the One Hundred and First RTCA 159 Plenary. The agenda will include the following: 1. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: DFO, RTCA AND CO-CHAIRS 2. APPROVAL OF SUMMARIES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: ONE HUNDREDTH MEETING HELD MARCH 16, 2018 (RTCA PAPER NO. 075–18/SC159–1071) 3. REVIEW OF GNSS L1/L5 ANTENNA MOPS FINAL REVIEW AND COMMENT (FRAC) ACTIVITIES 4. DECISION TO APPROVE RELEASE OF GNSS L1/L5 ANTENNA MOPS FOR PRESENTATION TO PROGRAM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR PUBLICATION 5. GPS/INTERFERENCE (WG–6): UPDATE REGARDING TAKING DRAFT DO–292 REVISION INTO FINAL REVIEW AND COMMENT (FRAC) 6. DISCUSSION OF TERMS OF REFERENCE UPDATES 7. ACTION ITEM REVIEW 8. ASSIGNMENT/REVIEW OF FUTURE WORK 9. OTHER BUSINESS 10. DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING 11. ADJOURN Attendance is open to the interested public but limited to space availability. With the approval of the chairman, members of the public may present oral statements at the meeting. Persons wishing to present statements or obtain information should contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Members of the public may present a written statement to the committee at any time. Issued in Washington, DC on March 19, 2018. Michelle Swearingen, Systems and Equipment Standards Branch, AIR–6B0, Policy and Innovation Division, AIR–600, Federal Aviation Administration. [FR Doc. 2018–05808 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2017–0057] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 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 https://www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.dot.gov/ privacy. II. Background BILLING CODE 4910–13–P PO 00000 FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 46 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: The exemptions were applicable on February 19, 2018. The exemptions expire on February 19, 2020. 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 W64–224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 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: SUMMARY: Sfmt 4703 On January 16, 2018, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of applications from 46 individuals requesting an exemption from the hearing requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (83 FR 2314). The public comment period ended on February 15, 2018, and no comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and determined that granting exemptions to these E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Notices individuals would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically qualified to driver a CMV if that person first perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5—1951. 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) was adopted in 1970, with a revision in 1971 to allow drivers to be qualified under this standard while wearing a hearing aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 1971). daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 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(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) if the exemption is likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. The Agency’s decision regarding these exemption applications is based on current medical information and literature, and the 2008 Evidence Report, ‘‘Executive Summary on Hearing, Vestibular Function and Commercial Motor Driving Safety.’’ The evidence report reached two conclusions regarding the matter of hearing loss and CMV driver safety: (1) No studies that examined the relationship between hearing loss and crash risk exclusively among CMV drivers were identified; and (2) evidence from studies of the private driver’s license holder population does not support the contention that individuals with hearing impairment are at an increased risk for a crash. In addition, the Agency reviewed each applicant’s driving record found in the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, and inspections recorded in the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). For nonCDL holders, the Agency reviewed the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:32 Mar 21, 2018 Jkt 244001 driving records from the State Driver’s Licensing Agency (SDLA). Each applicant’s record demonstrated a safe driving history. Based on an individual assessment of each applicant that focused on whether an equal or greater level of safety is likely to be achieved by permitting each of these drivers to drive in interstate commerce as opposed to restricting him or her to driving in intrastate commerce, the Agency believes the drivers granted this exemption have demonstrated that they do not pose a risk to public safety. Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these applicants from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. V. Conditions and Requirements The terms and conditions of the exemption are provided to the applicants in the exemption document and includes the following: (1) Each driver must report any crashes or accidents as defined in 49 CFR 390.5; (2) each driver must report all citations and convictions for disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 CFR 391 to FMCSA; and (3) each driver is prohibited from operating a motorcoach or bus with passengers in interstate commerce. The driver must also have a copy of the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. In addition, the exemption does not exempt the individual from meeting the applicable CDL testing requirements. VI. Preemption During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with respect to a person operating under the exemption. VII. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the 46 exemption applications, FMCSA exempts the following drivers from the hearing standard, 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11), subject to the requirements cited above: David Alaniz (WO) Marion Bennett (MD) Gordon R. Boerner (ME) Tom M. Booe (NE) Roy E. Bowers (GA) Richard M. Davis (OH) Rivera De Jesus (TX) Christian DeKnight (FL) Richard Doi (AZ) Trey Duncan (TX) Jean D. Dutes (FL) Edward Elertson (WO) Stephan Eveland (FL) PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12641 Richard L. Frueke (IL) Edison M. Garcia (MD) Adam M. Hayes (CA) Sean Hunt (TX) Charles W. Jones (FL) James T. Laughrey (KS) Jerrry L. Lewis (NC) Michael Lidster (IL) Stavros Likouris (OH) Adrian Lopez (TX) Derrick J. Marceaux (LA) John E. Mayhew (KS) JeMichael McCot (LA) Magdalene McLaughlin (MD) Pablo Muniz (FL) Dario Novoa (FL) Hugo Paniagua (CA) Calvin Payne (MD) Joseph R. Piros (CA) Michael Quinonez (TX) Kohn Saysanam (TX) Jeffrey W. Schulkers (KY) Stephan W. Stotts (OH) Teddy Rosevelt Tice (NY) William Tassel (OH) Daniel R. Taylor (AL) Jason C. Thomas (TX) Roderick B. Thomas (GA) Joshua Tinley (AZ) Carlos Torres (OH) Allen Whitener (TX) Kerri M. Wright (OK) In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid for two years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. Issued on: March 16, 2018. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2018–05862 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0050] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption; request for comments. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM 22MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12640-12641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05862]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0057]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 46 individuals from the 
hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 
(FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate 
commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf 
individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

DATES: The exemptions were applicable on February 19, 2018. The 
exemptions expire on February 19, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, [email protected], FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64-224, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
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 https://www.regulations.gov, as described in 
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed 
at https://www.dot.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On January 16, 2018, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of 
applications from 46 individuals requesting an exemption from the 
hearing requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in 
interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (83 FR 
2314). The public comment period ended on February 15, 2018, and no 
comments were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and 
determined that granting exemptions to these

[[Page 12641]]

individuals would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater 
than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current 
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing 
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically 
qualified to driver a CMV if that person first perceives a forced 
whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or 
without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric 
device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater 
than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a 
hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American 
National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5--1951.
    49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) was adopted in 1970, with a revision in 1971 
to allow drivers to be qualified under this standard while wearing a 
hearing aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 
1971).

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(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) if the exemption is 
likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would 
be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants 
to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
    The Agency's decision regarding these exemption applications is 
based on current medical information and literature, and the 2008 
Evidence Report, ``Executive Summary on Hearing, Vestibular Function 
and Commercial Motor Driving Safety.'' The evidence report reached two 
conclusions regarding the matter of hearing loss and CMV driver safety: 
(1) No studies that examined the relationship between hearing loss and 
crash risk exclusively among CMV drivers were identified; and (2) 
evidence from studies of the private driver's license holder population 
does not support the contention that individuals with hearing 
impairment are at an increased risk for a crash. In addition, the 
Agency reviewed each applicant's driving record found in the Commercial 
Driver's License Information System (CDLIS), for commercial driver's 
license (CDL) holders, and inspections recorded in the Motor Carrier 
Management Information System (MCMIS). For non-CDL holders, the Agency 
reviewed the driving records from the State Driver's Licensing Agency 
(SDLA). Each applicant's record demonstrated a safe driving history. 
Based on an individual assessment of each applicant that focused on 
whether an equal or greater level of safety is likely to be achieved by 
permitting each of these drivers to drive in interstate commerce as 
opposed to restricting him or her to driving in intrastate commerce, 
the Agency believes the drivers granted this exemption have 
demonstrated that they do not pose a risk to public safety.
    Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these 
applicants from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) is likely 
to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the 
exemption.

V. Conditions and Requirements

    The terms and conditions of the exemption are provided to the 
applicants in the exemption document and includes the following: (1) 
Each driver must report any crashes or accidents as defined in 49 CFR 
390.5; (2) each driver must report all citations and convictions for 
disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 CFR 391 to FMCSA; 
and (3) each driver is prohibited from operating a motorcoach or bus 
with passengers in interstate commerce. The driver must also have a 
copy of the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly 
authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. In addition, 
the exemption does not exempt the individual from meeting the 
applicable CDL testing requirements.

VI. Preemption

    During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall 
enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with 
respect to a person operating under the exemption.

VII. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the 46 exemption applications, FMCSA 
exempts the following drivers from the hearing standard, 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(11), subject to the requirements cited above:

David Alaniz (WO)
Marion Bennett (MD)
Gordon R. Boerner (ME)
Tom M. Booe (NE)
Roy E. Bowers (GA)
Richard M. Davis (OH)
Rivera De Jesus (TX)
Christian DeKnight (FL)
Richard Doi (AZ)
Trey Duncan (TX)
Jean D. Dutes (FL)
Edward Elertson (WO)
Stephan Eveland (FL)
Richard L. Frueke (IL)
Edison M. Garcia (MD)
Adam M. Hayes (CA)
Sean Hunt (TX)
Charles W. Jones (FL)
James T. Laughrey (KS)
Jerrry L. Lewis (NC)
Michael Lidster (IL)
Stavros Likouris (OH)
Adrian Lopez (TX)
Derrick J. Marceaux (LA)
John E. Mayhew (KS)
JeMichael McCot (LA)
Magdalene McLaughlin (MD)
Pablo Muniz (FL)
Dario Novoa (FL)
Hugo Paniagua (CA)
Calvin Payne (MD)
Joseph R. Piros (CA)
Michael Quinonez (TX)
Kohn Saysanam (TX)
Jeffrey W. Schulkers (KY)
Stephan W. Stotts (OH)
Teddy Rosevelt Tice (NY)
William Tassel (OH)
Daniel R. Taylor (AL)
Jason C. Thomas (TX)
Roderick B. Thomas (GA)
Joshua Tinley (AZ)
Carlos Torres (OH)
Allen Whitener (TX)
Kerri M. Wright (OK)

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid 
for two years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 
The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person 
fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the 
exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained 
prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not 
be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 
31315.

    Issued on: March 16, 2018.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-05862 Filed 3-21-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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