Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration August 5, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA has received an application from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) for an exemption from provisions of the Agency's commercial driver's license (CDL) requirement that each CDL issued by the State contain a color photograph of the driver. Virginia DMV proposes that it be allowed to use a black and white, laser-engraved photograph in lieu of a color photograph. Virginia DMV believes that the issuance of CDLs with laser- engraved black and white photographs would enhance the security of the credential and assist law enforcement officials with the identification of the CDL holder. The FMCSA requests public comment on Virginia DMV's application for exemption.

FMCSA announces its denial of 381 applications from individuals who requested exemptions from the Federal vision standard applicable to interstate truck and bus drivers and the reasons for the denials. 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 does not 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.