Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration October 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to grant the exemption requested by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) for commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants seeking a school bus endorsement, from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement, known as the ``under-the-hood'' testing requirement. Drivers issued a CDL pursuant to the requested exemption would be restricted to the intrastate operation of school buses only. FMCSA also grants an exemption from the requirement that states administer this portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection test in accordance with an FMCSA pre-approved examiner information manual. FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined that granting the exemption is likely to achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to provisionally renew a United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) exemption from various provisions of the mandate to use electronic logging devices (ELD). FMCSA previously granted the exemption to allow (1) all motor carriers and drivers that use portable, driver-based ELDs to record engine data only when the driver is in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and the engine is powered, and (2) all motor carriers to configure an ELD with a yard- move mode that does not require a driver to re-input yard-move status every time the tractor is powered off. The Agency has determined that renewal of the temporary exemption would not have an adverse impact on safety, and that a level of safety equivalent to or greater than that provided by the regulation would be maintained. The exemption renewal is for 5 years.

FMCSA announces that Daimler Truck North America LLC (Daimler) has requested an exemption for one commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver from the requirement to hold a United States commercial driver's license (CDL). Daimler requests an exemption for Dr. Andreas Gorbach, Executive Vice President and Board of Management Member for Daimler. Dr. Gorbach holds a valid German CDL. Daimler believes the requirements for a German commercial license ensure that operation under the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 13 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``Training Certification for Drivers of Longer Combination Vehicles'' OMB Control No. 2126-0026. This ICR relates to Agency requirements for drivers to be certified to operate longer combination vehicles (LCVs), and associated recordkeeping requirements that motor carriers must satisfy before permitting their drivers to operate LCVs. Motor carriers, upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State, or local officials, must produce an LCV Driver-Training Certificate for each of their LCV drivers.