Commercial Driver's License: Application for Exemption; American Public Transportation Association, 105175-105177 [2024-30737]

Download as PDF ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2024 / Notices Real Estate Services, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on September 27, 2024, at 89 FR 79333. There were no comments received. Title: Relocation Assistance Personal Interviews for FHWA Federal and Federally Assisted Programs under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Polies Act of 1970, as amended (Uniform Act). Background: This program implements 42 U.S.C. 4602, concerning acquisition of real property and relocation assistance for persons displaced by FHWA Federal and federally assisted programs. It requires the provision of relocation assistance and payments to U.S. citizens and persons legally present in the United States. The information collected consists of a personal interview of affected persons to establish eligibility for relocation assistance and payments. Displacing agencies will request each person who is to be displaced by a FHWA Federal or federally assisted project to voluntarily assist the agency in determining the benefits that their household, business, farm, or non-profit organization may be eligible to receive through the personal interview to determine their needs and preferences related to the move. This information is not required from the displaced person for the agency to proceed. Respondents: Any of the 56 State Departments of Transportations (52, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico), and the United States territories of American Samoa, Guam, N. Mariana Is., and the Virgin Islands of the United States (4 territories), local government agencies, persons administering projects or programs receiving financial assistance for expenditures of Federal funds on acquisition and relocation payments and required services to displaced persons that are subject to the Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, (Uniform Act) for determination of Uniform Act relocation program benefit amounts, and file maintenance. Frequency: The information will be collected once per displacement of a household, business, farm, or non-profit organization. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:37 Dec 23, 2024 Jkt 265001 Estimated Average Burden per Response: 1 hour per respondent per personal interview. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: It is expected that there is an estimated total of 4,600 annual burden hours. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: December 18, 2024. Jazmyne Lewis, Information Collection Officer. [FR Doc. 2024–30638 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2024–0293] Commercial Driver’s License: Application for Exemption; American Public Transportation Association Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces that it has received an application for an exemption from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), on behalf of public transit agencies and their contractor partners, to allow State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to waive the ‘‘under-the-hood’’ portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test requirement for commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants seeking to operate vehicles in public transportation, including interstate commerce. FMCSA requests public comment on APTA’s request for an exemption. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before January 27, 2025. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00211 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 105175 You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Number FMCSA–2024–0293 by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. See the Public Participation and Request for Comments section below for further information. • Mail: Dockets Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590– 0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number (FMCSA–2024–0293) for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below. Docket: If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket by visiting Docket Operations 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. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366–9826 before visiting Dockets Operations. Privacy Act: In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its regulatory process. DOT posts these comments, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov described in the system of records notice DOT/ALL–14 FDMS, which can be reviewed under the ‘‘Department Wide System of Records Notices’’ at https:// www.transportation.gov/individuals/ privacy/privacy-act-system-recordsnotices. The comments are posted without edit and are searchable by the name of the submitter. ADDRESSES: Mr. Richard Clemente, Driver and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards, FMCSA; (202) 366–2722; richard.clemente@dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Dockets Operations at (202) 366–9826. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1 105176 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2024 / Notices I. 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 (FMCSA–2024–0293), indicate the specific section of this document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for your suggestions or recommendations. 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 www.regulations.gov and put the docket number ‘‘FMCSA–2024–0293’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ When the new screen appears, click on the ‘‘Comment’’ button and type your comment into the text box in the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, selfaddressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Confidential Business Information (CBI) CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to the notice contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to the notice, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission that constitutes CBI as ‘‘PROPIN’’ to indicate it contains proprietary information. FMCSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the Freedom of Information Act, and they will not be placed in the public docket of the notice. Submissions containing CBI VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:37 Dec 23, 2024 Jkt 265001 should be sent to Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Evaluation Division, Office of Policy, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 0001 or via email at brian.g.dahlin@ dot.gov. At this time, you need not send a duplicate hardcopy of your electronic CBI submissions to FMCSA headquarters. Any comments FMCSA receives not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this notice. II. Legal Basis FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b) to grant exemptions from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including the applicant’s safety analyses. The Agency must provide an opportunity for public comment on the request. The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted and determines whether granting the exemption would likely maintain a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305(a)). The Agency must publish its decision in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If granted, the notice will identify the regulatory provision(s) from which the applicant will be exempt, the effective period, and all terms and conditions of the exemption (49 CFR 381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is denied, the notice will explain the reasons for the denial (49 CFR 381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)). III. Current Regulatory Requirements The CDL regulations at 49 CFR 383.113(a) require that applicants for a CDL possess basic pre-trip vehicle inspection skills for the vehicle class that they operate or expect to operate. Applicants must be able to identify each safety-related part on the test vehicle and explain what needs to be examined during a pre-trip vehicle inspection to ensure the safe operation of the commercial motor vehicle. Under 49 CFR 383.113(a)(1)(i), applicants must possesses this skill for the engine compartment of the vehicle. This portion of the test is known as the ‘‘under-the-hood’’ testing component. IV. Applicant’s Request APTA, on behalf of public transit agencies and their contractor partners, applied for an exemption from the PO 00000 Frm 00212 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ‘‘under-the-hood’’ portion of the pre-trip inspection segment of the CDL skills test. The exemption would allow SDLAs to waive the engine compartment component of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test required under 49 CFR 383.113(a)(1)(i) for CDL applicants seeking to operate vehicles in public transportation, including interstate transportation. According to the applicant, the public transit industry continues to experience a severe shortage of drivers and is struggling to maintain its workforce. APTA has identified the ‘‘under-thehood’’ testing requirement as a significant impediment to hiring bus operators, leading to reduced transit service, missed trips, and increased costs for public transit agencies. APTA believes that the CDL ‘‘under-the-hood’’ test is completely unrelated to transit bus operators’ job responsibilities; creates equity concerns and serves as a deterrent to certain individuals who would otherwise thrive in this career; and is increasingly becoming obsolete with the transition to zero-emission vehicles. The applicant further adds that its members’ bus operator hiring issues are similar to those faced by the school bus industry and that FMCSA has granted similar relief allowing States to waive the ‘‘under-the-hood’’ test for CDL applicants intending to become school bus operators. In support of its application, APTA submitted a research report it commissioned entitled, ‘‘Impact of CDL Under-the-Hood Testing Requirement on Public Transit Agencies’ Ability to Hire Bus Operators,’’ dated November 1, 2024. A copy of APTA’s application for exemption and its research report are available for review in the docket for this notice. V. Request for Comments In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), FMCSA requests public comment from all interested persons on the APTA’s application for an exemption. All comments received before the close of business on the comment closing date indicated at the beginning of this notice will be considered and will be available for examination in the docket at the location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Comments received after the comment closing date will be filed in the public docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public docket, relevant information that becomes available after the comment closing date. Interested E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2024 / Notices persons should continue to examine the public docket for new material. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2024–30737 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Multiple Departmental Offices Information Collection Requests Departmental Offices, U.S. Department of the Treasury. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other federal agencies to comment on the proposed information collections listed below, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 24, 2025. ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of the information collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to Treasury PRA Clearance Officer, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 8100, Washington, DC 20220, or email at PRA@treasury.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the submissions may be obtained from Spencer W. Clark by emailing PRA@treasury.gov, calling (202) 927–5331, or viewing the entire information collection request at www.reginfo.gov. SUMMARY: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Title: Solicitation of Proposal Information for Award of Public Contracts. OMB Control Number: 1505–0081. Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Description: Treasury Bureaus and the Office of the Procurement Executive collect information when inviting firms to submit proposals for public contracts for supplies and services. The information collection is necessary for compliance with the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act (41 U.S.C. 251 et seq.), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1) and applicable acquisition regulations. Form: None. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:37 Dec 23, 2024 Jkt 265001 Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits. Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,946. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 20,946. Estimated Time per Response: Varies depending on proposal type and proposal requirements. Average burden estimate is 10.48 hours per submission. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 217,812. 2. Title: Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS). OMB Control Number: 1505–0273. Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Description: On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Division N, Title IV, Subtitle B, Section 421 of the Act provides $2 billion for the U.S. Department of the Treasury to provide grants to eligible providers of transportation services (‘‘Recipients’’) under the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (‘‘CERTS’’) Program. Recipients include motorcoach companies, school bus companies, passenger vessel companies, and pilotage companies. Under Section 421 of the Act, Recipients must demonstrate significant revenue losses as a result of COVID–19, and must use grant funds for payroll costs and for other eligible operating expenses. At this point, all funds have been distributed and reporting requirements have been completed. Recipients are required to retain records for three years after funds are expended or returned to Treasury. Form: None. Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,460. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 1,460. Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 365. Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to PO 00000 Frm 00213 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 105177 enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services required to provide information. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Spencer W. Clark, Treasury PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2024–30783 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–AK–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900–0629] Agency Information Collection Activity: Application for Extended Care Services Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 24, 2025. ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted through www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Program-Specific information: Rebecca Mimnall, 202–695–9434, vhacopra@va.gov. VA PRA information: Maribel Aponte, 202–461–8900, vacopaperworkreduact@ va.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA. With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105175-105177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30737]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0293]


Commercial Driver's License: Application for Exemption; American 
Public Transportation Association

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

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

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that it has received an application for an 
exemption from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), 
on behalf of public transit agencies and their contractor partners, to 
allow State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to waive the ``under-the-
hood'' portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test 
requirement for commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants seeking to 
operate vehicles in public transportation, including interstate 
commerce. FMCSA requests public comment on APTA's request for an 
exemption.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 27, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Number FMCSA-2024-0293 by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. See the 
Public Participation and Request for Comments section below for further 
information.
     Mail: Dockets Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. E.T., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number 
(FMCSA-2024-0293) for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments 
received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading 
below.
    Docket: If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the 
docket by visiting Docket Operations 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. 
To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or 
(202) 366-9826 before visiting Dockets Operations.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its regulatory process. DOT 
posts these comments, including any personal information the commenter 
provides, to www.regulations.gov described in the system of records 
notice DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, which can be reviewed under the ``Department 
Wide System of Records Notices'' at https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices. The comments 
are posted without edit and are searchable by the name of the 
submitter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Clemente, Driver and 
Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle 
Safety Standards, FMCSA; (202) 366-2722; [email protected]. If 
you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
contact Dockets Operations at (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 105176]]

I. 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 (FMCSA-2024-0293), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for your 
suggestions or recommendations. 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 www.regulations.gov and put 
the docket number ``FMCSA-2024-0293'' in the ``Keyword'' box, and click 
``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on the ``Comment'' 
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.

Confidential Business Information (CBI)

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. 
If your comments responsive to the notice contain commercial or 
financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you 
actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to the 
notice, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission that 
constitutes CBI as ``PROPIN'' to indicate it contains proprietary 
information. FMCSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential 
under the Freedom of Information Act, and they will not be placed in 
the public docket of the notice. Submissions containing CBI should be 
sent to Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Evaluation Division, Office of 
Policy, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or 
via email at [email protected]. At this time, you need not send a 
duplicate hardcopy of your electronic CBI submissions to FMCSA 
headquarters. Any comments FMCSA receives not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this notice.

II. Legal Basis

    FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b) to grant 
exemptions from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). 
FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal 
Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an 
opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, 
including the applicant's safety analyses. The Agency must provide an 
opportunity for public comment on the request.
    The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted 
and determines whether granting the exemption would likely maintain a 
level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305(a)). The Agency must 
publish its decision in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If 
granted, the notice will identify the regulatory provision(s) from 
which the applicant will be exempt, the effective period, and all terms 
and conditions of the exemption (49 CFR 381.315(c)(1)). If the 
exemption is denied, the notice will explain the reasons for the denial 
(49 CFR 381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 
381.300(b)).

III. Current Regulatory Requirements

    The CDL regulations at 49 CFR 383.113(a) require that applicants 
for a CDL possess basic pre-trip vehicle inspection skills for the 
vehicle class that they operate or expect to operate. Applicants must 
be able to identify each safety-related part on the test vehicle and 
explain what needs to be examined during a pre-trip vehicle inspection 
to ensure the safe operation of the commercial motor vehicle. Under 49 
CFR 383.113(a)(1)(i), applicants must possesses this skill for the 
engine compartment of the vehicle. This portion of the test is known as 
the ``under-the-hood'' testing component.

IV. Applicant's Request

    APTA, on behalf of public transit agencies and their contractor 
partners, applied for an exemption from the ``under-the-hood'' portion 
of the pre-trip inspection segment of the CDL skills test. The 
exemption would allow SDLAs to waive the engine compartment component 
of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test required under 49 CFR 
383.113(a)(1)(i) for CDL applicants seeking to operate vehicles in 
public transportation, including interstate transportation.
    According to the applicant, the public transit industry continues 
to experience a severe shortage of drivers and is struggling to 
maintain its workforce. APTA has identified the ``under-the-hood'' 
testing requirement as a significant impediment to hiring bus 
operators, leading to reduced transit service, missed trips, and 
increased costs for public transit agencies. APTA believes that the CDL 
``under-the-hood'' test is completely unrelated to transit bus 
operators' job responsibilities; creates equity concerns and serves as 
a deterrent to certain individuals who would otherwise thrive in this 
career; and is increasingly becoming obsolete with the transition to 
zero-emission vehicles. The applicant further adds that its members' 
bus operator hiring issues are similar to those faced by the school bus 
industry and that FMCSA has granted similar relief allowing States to 
waive the ``under-the-hood'' test for CDL applicants intending to 
become school bus operators.
    In support of its application, APTA submitted a research report it 
commissioned entitled, ``Impact of CDL Under-the-Hood Testing 
Requirement on Public Transit Agencies' Ability to Hire Bus 
Operators,'' dated November 1, 2024.
    A copy of APTA's application for exemption and its research report 
are available for review in the docket for this notice.

V. Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), FMCSA requests public 
comment from all interested persons on the APTA's application for an 
exemption. All comments received before the close of business on the 
comment closing date indicated at the beginning of this notice will be 
considered and will be available for examination in the docket at the 
location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Comments 
received after the comment closing date will be filed in the public 
docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to 
late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public docket, 
relevant information that becomes available after the comment closing 
date. Interested

[[Page 105177]]

persons should continue to examine the public docket for new material.

Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024-30737 Filed 12-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.