Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing, 69820-69821 [2019-27372]

Download as PDF 69820 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Notices www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA2015-0326 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 Operations 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., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. B. 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. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES II. Background On August 28, 2019, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision to renew exemptions for four individuals from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (84 FR 45203). The public comment period ended on September 27, 2019, and no comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing exemptions for three of the individuals would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by complying with § 391.41(b)(11). The fourth individual was Mr. Thomas Carr whose name was published twice in error. The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing found in § 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person first perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5—1951. This standard was adopted in 1970 and was revised 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). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Dec 18, 2019 Jkt 250001 III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding. IV. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the three renewal exemption applications, FMCSA announces its decision to exempt the following drivers from the hearing requirement in § 391.41(b)(11). As of June 10, 2019, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following three individuals have satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (84 FR 45203): Robert Dale Brunett (OK); Thomas M. Carr (PA); Jeffrey Webber (OK) FMCSA is making a technical amendment for Mr. Thomas M. Carr whose name was published twice in the notice for comment in error. The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA–2014–0384 and FMCSA–2015–0326. Their exemptions are applicable as of June 10, 2019, and will expire on June 10, 2021. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid for 2 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(e) and 31315(b). Issued on: December 12, 2019. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2019–27371 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0111] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 17 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 I. Public Participation A. Submitting Comments Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration SUMMARY: Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0111 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=FMCSA-2019-0011. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Operations; 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., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments. 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 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Operations, (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice (Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0111), 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 that FMCSA can contact you if there E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Notices are questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=FMCSA-2019-0111. Click on the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button and type your comment into the text box on 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, self-addressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. B. Viewing Documents and Comments To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=FMCSA-2019-0111 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 Operations 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., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. C. 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. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES II. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption from the FMCSRs for no longer than a 5-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 5-year period. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the FMCSRs for a 2year period to align with the maximum duration of a driver’s medical certification. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Dec 18, 2019 Jkt 250001 The 17 individuals listed in this notice have requested an exemption from the hearing requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether granting the exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by statute. The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing found in § 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person first perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5—1951. This standard was adopted in 1970 and was revised 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). On February 1, 2013, FMCSA announced in a Notice of Final Disposition titled, ‘‘Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; National Association of the Deaf,’’ (78 FR 7479), its decision to grant requests from 40 individuals for exemptions from the Agency’s physical qualification standard concerning hearing for interstate CMV drivers. Since that time the Agency has published additional notices granting requests from hard of hearing and deaf individuals for exemptions from the Agency’s physical qualification standard concerning hearing for interstate CMV drivers. III. Qualifications of Applicants 69821 John Freeman Mr. Freeman, 61, holds a class D CDL in Massachusetts. Nicholas Green Mr. Green, 35, holds a class E CDL in Florida. Richard Hall Mr. Hall, 49, holds a class DA CDL in Kentucky. John Malm Mr. Malm, 45, holds a class B CDL in Illinois. Mark Merrow Mr. Merrow, 61, holds a class CA CDL in Michigan. Joyann Nipper Ms. Nipper, 51, holds a class D CDL in Iowa. Jeffry Patterson Mr. Patterson, 60, holds a class A CDL in Ohio. William Ranson Mr. Ranson, 54, holds a class D CDL in Arkansas. Michael Steffen Mr. Steffen, 53, holds operator’s license in Indiana. Justin Stephen Mr. Stephen, 31, holds a class D CDL in South Carolina. Michelle Trott Ms. Trott, 50, holds a class D CDL in Tennessee. Sherrie Willey Bart Beasom Mr. Beasom, 55, holds a class A CDL in Pennsylvania. Ms. Willey, 43, holds a class R CDL in Washington. David Billingsley IV. Request for Comments Mr. Billingsley, 82, holds a class A CDL in Indiana. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA requests public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions described in this notice. We will consider all comments received before the close of business on the closing date indicated under the DATES section of the notice. Stephen Daniels Mr. Daniels, 59, holds a class DL–C CDL in Kansas. Paul Ditimi Mr. Ditimi, 66, holds a class D CDL in Connecticut. Herman Fleck Mr. Fleck, 62, holds a class A CDL in Pennsylvania. PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Issued on: December 12, 2019. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2019–27372 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69820-69821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27372]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0111]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

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

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

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 17 individuals 
for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor 
Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor 
vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would 
enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in 
interstate commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0111 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2019-0011. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Operations; 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., 
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments.

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 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions 
regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket 
Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice (Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0111), 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 that FMCSA can contact you if there

[[Page 69821]]

are questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2019-0111. Click on the ``Comment Now!'' button and type 
your comment into the text box on 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.

B. Viewing Documents and Comments

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice 
as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2019-0111 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 Operations 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., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

C. 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

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the FMCSRs for no longer than a 5-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 5-year period. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the 
FMCSRs for a 2-year period to align with the maximum duration of a 
driver's medical certification.
    The 17 individuals listed in this notice have requested an 
exemption from the hearing requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). 
Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each 
applicant to determine whether granting the exemption will achieve the 
required level of safety mandated by statute.
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing 
found in Sec.  391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive a CMV if that person first perceives a forced 
whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or 
without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric 
device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater 
than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a 
hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American 
National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5--1951.
    This standard was adopted in 1970 and was revised 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).
    On February 1, 2013, FMCSA announced in a Notice of Final 
Disposition titled, ``Qualification of Drivers; Application for 
Exemptions; National Association of the Deaf,'' (78 FR 7479), its 
decision to grant requests from 40 individuals for exemptions from the 
Agency's physical qualification standard concerning hearing for 
interstate CMV drivers. Since that time the Agency has published 
additional notices granting requests from hard of hearing and deaf 
individuals for exemptions from the Agency's physical qualification 
standard concerning hearing for interstate CMV drivers.

III. Qualifications of Applicants

Bart Beasom

    Mr. Beasom, 55, holds a class A CDL in Pennsylvania.

David Billingsley

    Mr. Billingsley, 82, holds a class A CDL in Indiana.

Stephen Daniels

    Mr. Daniels, 59, holds a class DL-C CDL in Kansas.

Paul Ditimi

    Mr. Ditimi, 66, holds a class D CDL in Connecticut.

Herman Fleck

    Mr. Fleck, 62, holds a class A CDL in Pennsylvania.

John Freeman

    Mr. Freeman, 61, holds a class D CDL in Massachusetts.

Nicholas Green

    Mr. Green, 35, holds a class E CDL in Florida.

Richard Hall

    Mr. Hall, 49, holds a class DA CDL in Kentucky.

John Malm

    Mr. Malm, 45, holds a class B CDL in Illinois.

Mark Merrow

    Mr. Merrow, 61, holds a class CA CDL in Michigan.

Joyann Nipper

    Ms. Nipper, 51, holds a class D CDL in Iowa.

Jeffry Patterson

    Mr. Patterson, 60, holds a class A CDL in Ohio.

William Ranson

    Mr. Ranson, 54, holds a class D CDL in Arkansas.

Michael Steffen

    Mr. Steffen, 53, holds operator's license in Indiana.

Justin Stephen

    Mr. Stephen, 31, holds a class D CDL in South Carolina.

Michelle Trott

    Ms. Trott, 50, holds a class D CDL in Tennessee.

Sherrie Willey

    Ms. Willey, 43, holds a class R CDL in Washington.

IV. Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA requests 
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions 
described in this notice. We will consider all comments received before 
the close of business on the closing date indicated under the DATES 
section of the notice.

    Issued on: December 12, 2019.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-27372 Filed 12-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P

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