Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration March 20, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces that Rotel North American Tours, LLC (Rotel) has applied for exemption from the Agency's requirement that drivers of certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) possess a valid commercial driver's license (CDL). Rotel has requested this exemption for 22 German bus drivers who would transport German tourists in the United States by means of Rotel's specially equipped passenger-carrying CMVs. Rotel hires the bus drivers to conduct the tours in addition to operating the CMVs. Rotel previously was able to conduct these operations without exemption because its drivers had been able to obtain (and renew) non-resident CDLs from certain States. However, because of the recent emphasis upon security in the U.S., Rotel reports that no State currently issues non-resident CDLs. Rotel believes these drivers possess the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the U.S. requirement for a CDL. FMCSA requests public comment on the Rotel application for exemption.