Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration May 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

FMCSA announces two Public Listening Sessions. The Listening Sessions will continue the dialogue on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NCRME) program for interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers.

FMCSA announces establishment of a Board of Directors for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan mandated under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The Board will be responsible for issuing rules and regulations to govern the Uniform Carrier Registration Agreement (UCR Agreement). The UCR Agreement is the replacement system for the Single State Registration System (SSRS) due to expire on January 1, 2007. The UCR Agreement will govern the collection and distribution of registration and financial responsibility information provided and fees paid by for-hire and private motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. The Secretary of Transportation establishes the initial 15- member Board of Directors by direct appointment due to the imminent sunsetting of SSRS and the potential for significant loss of revenue to the 39 participating States if work is not completed prior to January 1, 2007. FMCSA plans to solicit in the Federal Register nominations for successor membership prior to expiration of terms of membership.

This document announces the availability of Commercial Driver's License Program Improvement (CDLPI) grant funding as authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This act establishes a program for the improvement of the commercial driver's license (CDL) program. The program is a discretionary grant program funded by a single source. It provides funding for improving implementation of the State's CDL program, including expenses for computer hardware and software, publications, testing, personnel, training, and quality control. Grants made under this program may not be used to rent, lease, or buy land or buildings. The Agency in each State designated as the primary driver licensing agency responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the CDL program is eligible to apply for and receive grant funding.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 23 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plans to modernize the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) in response to Title IV (Motor Carrier Safety Reauthorization Act of 2005) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which was signed into law on August 10, 2005. As required by SAFETEA-LU, the modernization plan must: (a) Comply with applicable Federal information technology security standards; (b) provide for the electronic exchange of all information, including posting of convictions; (c) contain self- auditing features to ensure that data is being posted correctly and consistently by the States; (d) integrate the commercial driver's license and medical certificate; and (e) provide a schedule for modernization of the system. SAFETEA-LU authorizes a total of $28 million (FY 2006-2009) to carry out this project. This notice publishes the plan which provides an overview of the key tasks associated with the CDLIS Modernization project, and will result in a system that satisfies the criteria specified in section 4123 of SAFETEA-LU.