Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration February 21, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA withdraws its September 3, 2003, notice concerning exemptions for certain individuals with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) and its November 8, 2005, revision. This action is in response to the Qualifications of Drivers; Diabetes Standard final rule, published on September 19, 2018, which revised the physical qualifications standard for ITDM individuals who wish to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The revised standard allows certified medical examiners, in consultation with the treating clinician, to evaluate and determine whether to grant an ITDM individual a medical examiner's certificate (MEC) to drive a CMV in interstate commerce. FMCSA has determined, therefore, that an exemption program for ITDM individuals is no longer necessary.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 61 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 requirements in one eye.

WestRock, formerly known as RockTenn has requested a renewal of its exemption from certain provisions of the hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for drivers of property-carrying vehicles. WestRock currently holds an exemption for the period April 17, 2014, through April 16, 2019 for 11 shipping department employees and occasional substitute commercial driver's license (CDL) holders who transport paper mill products over a 275-foot stretch of public road between its shipping and receiving locations. WestRock requested an exemption from the 14-hour rule and the requirement for 10 consecutive hours off duty before the start of the workday. The renewal of the exemption would allow these individuals occasionally to drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty and allow them to return to work following eight consecutive hours off-duty. FMCSA requests public comment on WestRock's application for exemption.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant Stoneridge, Inc.'s (Stoneridge) application for a limited 5-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) with the company's MirrorEyeTM Camera Monitor System (CMS) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). The Agency has determined that granting the exemption to allow use of the MirrorEyeTM system in lieu of mirrors would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 30 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.