Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration May 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA is correcting an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on May 28, 2019. The document requests public comment about Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that may need to be amended, revised, or eliminated to facilitate the safe introduction of automated driving systems (ADS) equipped commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) onto our Nation's roadways. The ANPRM contained an erroneous date for closure of the comment period.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from Kimble Recycling & Disposal, Inc. (KRD) requesting an exemption from the provisions of the hours-of-service (HOS) short-haul exception. Specifically, KRD is requesting that its short-haul CMV drivers be permitted to return within 14 hours without losing their short-haul status instead of returning within 12 hours. FMCSA requests public comment on KRD's application for exemption.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 14 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.

Drivers 18, 19 and 20 years old may currently operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in intrastate commerce. On July 6, 2018, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice announcing the details of the Commercial Driver Pilot Program, that allows certain 18- to 20- year-olds with military training to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. This document requests comments on a possible second pilot program to allow non-military drivers aged 18, 19, and 20 to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. FMCSA requests comments on the training, qualifications, driving limitations, and vehicle safety systems that FMCSA should consider in developing options or approaches for a second pilot program for younger drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 13 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 renew exemptions for 173 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.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from six individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA requests comments on a petition submitted by the American Bus Association, Inc. (ABA) and the United Motorcoach Association, Inc. (UMA) requesting a determination that certain vehicle inspection requirements for ground transportation operators imposed by the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on passenger-carrying motor vehicles in interstate commerce are preempted by Federal law. FMCSA requests comments in response to this petition.