Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing, 14943-14944 [2022-05515]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2022 / Notices Robert A. Wimbish, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606–3208. According to CWRR, this action is categorically excluded from historic preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b) and from environmental reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.6(c). Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov. Decided: March 10, 2022. By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of Proceedings. Kenyatta Clay, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2022–05529 Filed 3–15–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2021–0017] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 23 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 March 4, 2022. The exemptions expire on March 4, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, DOT, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 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 Dockets Operations, (202) 366– 9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: I. Public Participation A. Viewing Comments To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket number, FMCSA–2021–0017, in the keyword box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, 17:16 Mar 15, 2022 Jkt 256001 B. Privacy Act In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(6), DOT solicits comments from the public on the exemption request. 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 Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing VerDate Sep<11>2014 sort the results by ‘‘Posted (NewerOlder),’’ choose the first notice listed, and click ‘‘Browse Comments.’’ If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366– 9826 before visiting Dockets Operations. On January 19, 2022, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of applications from 23 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 (87 FR 2979). The public comment period ended on February 18, 2022, and two comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and determined that granting exemptions to these 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 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 (Apr. 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 1971). PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14943 III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received two comments in this proceeding. Both comments received indicated that Gary Sturdevant submitted a hearing exemption application to FMCSA. IV. Basis for Exemption Determination 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. 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, for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, and inspections recorded in the Motor Carrier Management Information System. For non-CDL holders, the Agency reviewed the driving records from the State Driver’s Licensing Agency. 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 § 391.41(b)(11) is likely to achieve a E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1 14944 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2022 / Notices 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 § 390.5; (2) each driver must report all citations and convictions for disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR 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. jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1 VII. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the 23 exemption applications, FMCSA exempts the following drivers from the hearing standard, § 391.41(b)(11), subject to the requirements cited above: Yunier Alegre (FL) Kenneth Alston (NJ) Charles Armand (NJ) Baldemar Barba (TX) Gary Barber (WI) Desmond Dantzler (AZ) Jeremy Descloux (WA) Philip Fatigato (IL) William Hoke (NY) Edward Larizza (CA) Kevin Maddox (GA) Bikien McKoy (NC) Rage Muse (MN) Orlando Padilla (FL) Michael Paul (IL) Aaron Pitsker (CA) Michael Principe (TX) William Rivas (CA) Kenneth Salts (OH) Isaac Soto (IL) Gary Sturdevant (TX) Richard Taulbee (GA) Matthew Taylor (TX) 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:16 Mar 15, 2022 Jkt 256001 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). Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2022–05515 Filed 3–15–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0004] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Petitions for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments on a reinstatement of a previously approved information collection. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60day comment period for approval of a reinstatement of this previously approved information collection was published on August 20, 2020. The agency received no comments. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 15, 2022. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection, including suggestions for reducing burden, should be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. To find this particular information collection, select ‘‘Currently under Review—Open for Public Comment’’ or use the search function. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlita Ballard at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs (NRM–310), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building, Room W43–439, Washington, DC 20590. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Ms. Ballard’s telephone number is (202) 366–5222. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control Number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), a Federal agency must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before it collects certain information from the public and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information by a Federal agency unless the collection displays a valid OMB control number. In compliance with these requirements, this notice announces that the following information collection request will be submitted to OMB. A Federal Register notice with a 60day comment period soliciting public comments on the following information collection was published on August 20, 2020 (85 FR 51548). Title: Petitions for Exemption from the Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 543). OMB Control Number: 2127–0542. Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved information collection. Type of Review Requested: Regular. Length of Approval Requested: Three years. Affected Public: Motor vehicle manufacturers. Summary of Information Collection: 49 U.S.C. Chapter 331 requires the Secretary of Transportation, and NHTSA by delegation, to promulgate a theft prevention standard to provide for the identification of certain motor vehicles and their major replacement parts (parts-marking) to impede motor vehicle theft. NHTSA’s theft prevention standard at 49 CFR part 541 specifies performance requirements for identifying numbers or symbols (generally the vehicle identification number (VIN)) to be placed on major parts of all passenger vehicles subject to the theft prevention standard. 49 U.S.C. 33106 allows manufacturers who equip covered vehicles with standard original equipment antitheft devices to petition for an exemption from the parts-marking requirements. NHTSA may exempt a vehicle line from the parts-marking requirement if the manufacturer installs an antitheft device as standard equipment on the entire vehicle line for which it seeks an exemption, and NHTSA determines that the antitheft device is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the partsmarking requirements. Under the current part 543, manufacturers choose how they wish to E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14943-14944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05515]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2021-0017]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 23 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 March 4, 2022. The exemptions 
expire on March 4, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, [email protected], FMCSA, 
DOT, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64-224, Washington, DC 20590-
0001. Office hours are from 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 Dockets 
Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

A. Viewing Comments

    To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 
number, FMCSA-2021-0017, in the keyword box, and click ``Search.'' 
Next, sort the results by ``Posted (Newer-Older),'' choose the first 
notice listed, and click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have access 
to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets 
Operations in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or 
(202) 366-9826 before visiting Dockets Operations.

B. Privacy Act

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(6), DOT solicits comments 
from the public on the exemption request. 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 January 19, 2022, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of 
applications from 23 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 (87 FR 
2979). The public comment period ended on February 18, 2022, and two 
comments were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and 
determined that granting exemptions to these individuals would achieve 
a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would 
be achieved by complying with Sec.  391.41(b)(11).
    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 (Apr. 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 1971).

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received two comments in this proceeding. Both comments 
received indicated that Gary Sturdevant submitted a hearing exemption 
application to FMCSA.

IV. Basis for Exemption Determination

    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 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, for commercial driver's license 
(CDL) holders, and inspections recorded in the Motor Carrier Management 
Information System. For non-CDL holders, the Agency reviewed the 
driving records from the State Driver's Licensing Agency. 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 Sec.  391.41(b)(11) is likely 
to achieve a

[[Page 14944]]

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 Sec.  
390.5; (2) each driver must report all citations and convictions for 
disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR 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 23 exemption applications, FMCSA 
exempts the following drivers from the hearing standard, Sec.  
391.41(b)(11), subject to the requirements cited above:

 Yunier Alegre (FL)
 Kenneth Alston (NJ)
 Charles Armand (NJ)
 Baldemar Barba (TX)
 Gary Barber (WI)
 Desmond Dantzler (AZ)
 Jeremy Descloux (WA)
 Philip Fatigato (IL)
 William Hoke (NY)
 Edward Larizza (CA)
 Kevin Maddox (GA)
 Bikien McKoy (NC)
 Rage Muse (MN)
 Orlando Padilla (FL)
 Michael Paul (IL)
 Aaron Pitsker (CA)
 Michael Principe (TX)
 William Rivas (CA)
 Kenneth Salts (OH)
 Isaac Soto (IL)
 Gary Sturdevant (TX)
 Richard Taulbee (GA)
 Matthew Taylor (TX)

    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).

Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2022-05515 Filed 3-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P

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