Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration December 10, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 24 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. If granted the exemptions would enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant requests from 10 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 10 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce for a 2-year period. The exemptions preempt State laws and regulations and may be renewed.

The FMCSA announces its intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking (``Reg Neg'') committee to negotiate and develop proposed regulations to implement section 32304 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) concerning entry-level driver training (ELDT) for commercial motor vehicles (CMV) operating in interstate or intrastate commerce. The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are affected significantly by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. The FMCSA anticipates that these parties will include driver organizations, CMV training organizations, motor carriers of property and passengers and their associations, State licensing agencies, State enforcement agencies, labor unions, safety advocacy groups, and insurance companies. This notice provides notice to parties who seek to serve on the committee, and seeks comment on the proposal to establish the Committee and on the proposed membership. To the extent possible, the Agency will select from the nominees individual negotiators who reflect the diversity among the organizations or groups represented.