Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration May 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The purpose of this notice is to restate and confirm the Agency's policy regarding the purpose, use and effect of the paper and electronic versions of FMCSA's Field Operations Training Manual (FOTM and eFOTM).

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) has applied for a limited exemption from FMCSA's regulation that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) may not drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty. The exemption would apply solely to the operation of CMVs by 14 designated APA motor carriers in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day during the periods June 28-July 8, 2009, and June 28-July 8, 2010, inclusive. During these two periods, the approximately 100 CMV drivers employed by these 14 APA motor carriers in conjunction with staging fireworks shows would be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers would not be allowed to drive after accumulating a total of 14 hours of on-duty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and would continue to be subject to the 11-hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70-hour on-duty limits. The APA maintains that the terms and conditions of the limited exemption would ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt thirty-eight individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 21 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 exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA announces an amendment to its May 5, 2009, notice regarding the May meeting of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC). The public session scheduled for May 18, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. will be combined with the public session scheduled on May 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

FMCSA announces that the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) will hold a committee meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

FMCSA announces that the Rotel North American Tours, LLC (Rotel), has applied for amendment of its existing exemption that permits 22 named drivers, employed by Rotel and possessing German CDLs, to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the U.S. without a CDL issued by one of the States. Rotel proposes to amend the roster of 22 exempt Rotel drivers in order to substitute three new Rotel drivers for three drivers no longer employed by Rotel. The new Rotel drivers would be subject to all the terms and conditions of the current exemption, including its expiration date of July 30, 2010.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 19 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 exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.