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

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. The FMCSA requests approval of a new ICR that is associated with a study that will be conducted by a research contractor to investigate the differences among the characteristics of individual commercial drivers. This information collection will aid FMCSA in developing future safety initiatives by examining a wide array of driver and situational factors to determine if they are associated with increased or decreased crash and incident involvement.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to eliminate the requirement for operational brakes on the last saddle-mounted truck or tractor in a triple saddle-mount combination, except when a full mount is present. This is in response to a petition for rulemaking from the Automobile Carriers Conference (ACC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), which stated that this requirement degrades the braking performance of these combinations because the lightly loaded axle of the last vehicle tends to lock up under heavy braking.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 19 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement 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 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 13 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement 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 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 13 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions 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.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to revise the requirements regarding clamp and rotochamber brake actuator readjustment limits in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The purpose of this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is to amend the readjustment limits, clarify their application, and correct an error in cross-referencing a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). This proposal responds to a petition for rulemaking from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 32 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement 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 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 28 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement 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 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

This notice amends FMCSA's August 10, 2011, notice announcing meetings of the Agency's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) from August 29-31, 2011. The time for the session on Tuesday, August 30 was listed incorrectly in the notice. The meeting on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, will begin at 8:30 a.m. (E.S.T.) and will conclude at 5 p.m., with the last hour reserved for public comment. All other information contained in the notice remains valid.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues regulatory guidance to clarify the appropriate and intended use of blank or incomplete documents under 49 CFR 375.501(d). Carriers may require shippers to sign incomplete, but not blank, documents so long as the omitted information is limited to: (1) The actual weight of the shipment, in the case of non-binding estimates; and (2) unforeseen charges incurred in transit. This guidance also clarifies that carriers may not require shippers to sign ``Revised Written Estimates,'' ``Rescissions of Old Estimate,'' or other documents authorizing the carrier to rescind an estimate unless the shipper and carrier mutually agree to amend the estimate, and the shipper signs a new estimate before the carrier loads the shipment.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 17 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions 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.

This notice informs the public of FMCSA's Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 safety grant opportunities and FMCSA's projected application due dates. FMCSA announces these grant opportunities based on authorities provided for in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users. The Agency will inform applicants if new authorizing legislation changes its grant programs for FY 2012 through a Federal Register notice. The 10 safety grant programs include the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Basic grants; MCSAP Incentive grants; New Entrant Safety Audit grants; MCSAP High Priority grants; Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operator Safety Training grants; Border Enforcement grants (BEG); Commercial Driver's License Program Improvement (CDLPI) grants; Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) grants; Safety Data Improvement Program (SaDIP) grants; and the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) grants. It should be noted that FMCSA does not expect the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) Modernization grants to be continued in reauthorization, and, therefore, FMCSA will not be soliciting applications for this grant program in FY 2012.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 17 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision standard.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt fifteen individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announces that it will hold a national Motorcoach Safety Summit (National Summit), hosted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to exchange information and ideas on the best possible approaches to reduce the number of motorcoach crashes, injuries, and fatalities and raise passenger awareness. Leading up to the National Summit, the Department will hold four regional roundtable discussions. Seating is limited for all events. Individuals with diverse experience, expertise, and perspectives are encouraged to attend. Please visit our dedicated Web site at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/motorcoach/2011 as details for each continue to evolve.

This notice amends FMCSA's June 29, 2011, notice announcing July and August, 2011, subcommittee meetings of the Agency's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC). Because a final decision on the location for the August 1-2, 2011, MCSAC subcommittee meeting had not been made at the time the June 29, 2011, notice was published, the Agency amends the previous notice to provide that information. Also, in consideration of the complexity of the technical issues discussed by the subcommittee during the July 11-12, 2011, meeting, the meeting time is being extended on the first day of the August 1-2, 2011, meeting.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 8 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement 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 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

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. The FMCSA requests approval to revise an ICR entitled, ``Application for Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers,'' that requires Mexico-domiciled for-hire and private motor carriers to file an application Form OP-2 if they wish to register to transport property only within municipalities in the United States on the U.S.- Mexico international borders or within the commercial zones of such municipalities. FMCSA invites public comment on the ICR.

FMCSA announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) that evaluates the potential environmental impacts resulting from the implementation of its United States-Mexico cross- border long-haul trucking pilot program. This pilot program is part of FMCSA's implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cross-border long-haul trucking provisions. This pilot program would allow Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate throughout the United States for up to 3 years. U.S.-domiciled motor carriers would be granted reciprocal rights to operate in Mexico for the same period. Participating Mexican carriers and drivers would be required to comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including those concerned with motor carrier safety, customs, immigration, vehicle registration and taxation, and fuel taxation.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 22 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 16 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision standard.

FMCSA published a final rule in the Federal Register on Monday, May 9, 2011, that will be effective on July 8, 2011. This final rule amends the commercial driver's license (CDL) knowledge and skills testing standards and establishes new minimum Federal standards for States to issue the commercial learner's permit (CLP). Since the final rule was published, FMCSA identified minor discrepancies regarding section references in the regulatory text of the final rule. This document corrects those section references.

The FMCSA requests public comment on its draft strategic plan, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 2011-2016 Strategic Plan: Raising the Safety Bar. This is FMCSA's second strategic plan since the Agency was established as a standalone administration within the Department of Transportation (DOT) in 2000. In keeping with DOT's and FMCSA's top priority safety, the draft strategic plan is shaped by three core principles: (1) Raise the bar to enter the motor carrier industry; (2) Maintain high safety standards to remain in the industry; and (3) Remove high-risk carriers, drivers and service providers from operation. The Agency's new 5-year Strategic Plan provides continuing direction for FMCSA to further reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities related to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), which include passenger carrier vehicles (e.g., buses). We welcome and invite comments and feedback on FMCSA's future direction. Comments will be considered and incorporated as appropriate. Comment Date: Comments are due July 29, 2011.