Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration December 20, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces that New Prime, Inc. (Prime) has applied for an exemption from the requirement in 49 CFR 383.25(a)(1) that a commercial learner's permit (CLP) holder must be accompanied by a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder with the proper CDL class and endorsements seated in the front seat of the vehicle while the CLP holder is operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads or highways. Prime requests an exemption to allow CLP holders who have successfully passed the CDL skills test to be able to drive a CMV without having a CDL holder seated in the front seat beside them. Prime states that the CDL holder would remain in the CMV at all times while the CLP holder is driving, but not necessarily in the passenger seat. Prime believes that the exemption, if granted, would promote greater productivity and help individuals who have passed the CDL skills test return to actively earning a living faster, while achieving a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by complying with the regulations. FMCSA requests public comment on Prime's application for exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 125 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions of 110 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from this rule 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 CMV drivers.