Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration July 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 14 of 14
Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for an Exemption From Help, Inc.
FMCSA requests public comment on an application for exemption from Help, Inc. to allow its transponder systems to be mounted on commercial motor vehicles lower in the windshield than is currently permitted by the Agency's regulations in order to utilize a mounting location that maximizes the device's ability to send and receive roadside data. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) currently require antennas, transponders, and similar devices to be located not more than 6 inches below the upper edge of the windshield, outside the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals. Help, Inc. believes that mounting the transponder lower in the windshield will maximize a driver's external view of the roadway.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision
FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 32 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. 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.
Use of Wireless Mobile Data Devices as Transponders for the Commercial Motor Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) Electronic Screening Systems
FMCSA announces that Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) network devices can be used as transponders for the purposes of CVISN electronic screening truck inspection and weigh station bypass systems. CMRS network devices such as smartphones, tablets, fleet management systems, global positioning system (GPS) navigational units, and onboard telematics devices (referred to collectively as ``wireless mobile data devices'') have the capability of transmitting and receiving the same information between the driver and the inspection site as the dedicated short-range communication (DSRC)-enabled transponders operating at the 915 MHz frequency currently used to fulfill the CVISN electronic screening requirement for core compliance. This policy does not affect the applicability or enforcement of FMCSA's regulations prohibiting texting and the use of hand-held wireless mobile phones by commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.
Qualification of Drivers; Application for Exemptions; Hearing
FMCSA announces that 27 individuals have applied for a medical exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). In accordance with the statutory requirements concerning applications for exemptions, FMCSA requests public comments on these requests. The statute and implementing regulations concerning exemptions require that exemptions must provide an equivalent or greater level of safety than if they were not granted. If the Agency determines the exemptions would satisfy the statutory requirements and decides to grant theses requests after reviewing the public comments submitted in response to this notice, the exemptions would enable 27 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
Hours of Service for Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers; Regulatory Guidance Concerning Off-Duty Time
FMCSA revises its April 4, 1997, regulatory guidance concerning the conditions that must be met in order for a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver to record meal and other routine stops made during a work shift as off-duty time. The Agency has reviewed the guidance and determined that it includes language that is overly restrictive and inconsistent with the hours-of-service regulations. The 1997 guidance has the effect of discouraging drivers from taking breaks during the work day, or documenting such breaks in their logbooks.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 24 individuals for exemptions from the regulatory requirement that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code of Federal Regulations as the ``Instructions for Performing and Recording Physical Examinations'' have resulted in numerous drivers being prohibited from operating CMVs in interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication, rather than an individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified medical examiner. The Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these CMV drivers will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions. FMCSA grants exemptions that will allow these 24 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The exemptions preempt State laws and regulations and may be renewed.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 9 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. The regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code of Federal Regulations as the ``Instructions for Performing and Recording Physical Examinations'' have resulted in numerous drivers being prohibited from operating CMVs in interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication, rather than an individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified medical examiner. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs for 2 years in interstate commerce.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from nine individuals for exemptions from the regulatory requirement that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code of Federal Regulations as the ``Instructions for Performing and Recording Physical Examinations'' have resulted in numerous drivers being prohibited from operating CMVs in interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication, rather than an individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified medical examiner. The Agency concluded that granting exemptions for these CMV drivers will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions. FMCSA grants exemptions that will allow these nine individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The exemptions preempt State laws and regulations and may be renewed.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision
FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 32 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.
Hours of Service; Limited 90-Day Waiver From the 30-Minute Rest Break Requirement for the Transportation of Livestock
FMCSA grants a limited 90-day waiver from the 30-minute rest break provision of the Federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for the transportation of livestock. Several associations representing various segments of the livestock industry raised concerns about the risks to the health of animals from rising temperatures inside livestock trucks during drivers' mandatory 30-minute break, especially in light of long-range weather forecasts for above-normal temperatures for July, August and September 2013. The industry requested relief, and the Agency has determined that it is appropriate to grant a limited 90- day waiver for this period to ensure the well-being of the Nation's livestock during interstate transportation. The Agency has determined that the waiver, based on the terms and conditions imposed, would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such waiver. This waiver preempts inconsistent State and local requirements.
Driver Qualifications: Skill Performance Evaluation; Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' Application for Exemption
FMCSA announces receipt of an application for exemption from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia), on behalf of truck and bus drivers who are licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia and need a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate from FMCSA to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. The exemption would enable Virginia-licensed drivers subject to the Federal SPE requirements under 49 CFR 391.49, to fulfill the Federal requirements with a State-issued SPE. The State-issued SPE would be based on standards, processes and procedures comparable to those used by FMCSA, and the State would maintain copies of all evaluation forms and certificates issued to enable FMCSA to conduct periodic reviews of the program.
Denial of Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
FMCSA announces denial of applications from seven individuals for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. Reasons for denial are listed after each name entry.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision
FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 25 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. 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.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus
FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 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.
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