Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration April 18, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) 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 exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 12 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 103 individuals who requested an exemption from the vision standard in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 12 individuals for an exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) requesting exemptions from the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for four new members: Celebration Fireworks, Inc., International Fireworks Mfg. Company, Inc., Johnny Rockets Display Company, and the Wald & Company All American Display Fireworks Company. The first exemption request is from the prohibition on driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) after the 14th hour after the driver comes on duty. APA requests this exemption to allow drivers employed by the four member companies to exclude off- duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14-hour limit. The second exemption request is from the HOS regulations that require a motor carrier to install and require each of its drivers to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to record the driver's HOS. APA requests this exemption to allow these same drivers employed by the four members to continue to use paper records of duty status (RODS) in lieu of an ELD during the designated Independence Day periods. If granted, these exemptions would terminate at the same time as the other 53 exempted APA member carriers. The original terms and conditions of the limited exemptions, that ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption, will be upheld by the four new members.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a limited exemption from the Agency's commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations. The Ohio DPS requests an exemption to modify the mandatory skills test requirements for qualified veterans who served in the military. The Ohio DPS states that its goal is to promote the opportunities for experienced commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators who have served in the military by reducing the regulatory burden for obtaining a CDL. FMCSA requests public comment on the Ohio DPS's application for exemption. In addition, because the issue concerning the Ohio DPS request could be applicable in each of the States, FMCSA requests public comment on whether the exemption should cover all State driver licensing agencies (SDLAs), if granted.