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

In response to several requests, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extends until July 9, 2008, the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that was published on April 9, 2008.

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 seeks approval to revise an ICR entitled, ``Licensing Applications for Motor Carrier Operating Authority,'' that is used by for-hire motor carriers of regulated commodities, motor passenger carriers, freight forwarders, property brokers, and certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to register their operations with the FMCSA. The agency invites public comment on the ICR.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 25 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 28 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 24 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.

The FMCSA published a notice in the Federal Register on March 21, 2008 (73 FR 15253), requesting an emergency approval of a proposed new information collection that would be used to analyze the impact of the new Hours-of-Service regulations on drivers and the effects of these regulations on driver fatigue. The new information collection would also acquire general demographic information regarding the commercial motor vehicle driving population. The FMCSA has determined that this information collection request will not be conducted at this time.

FMCSA previously announced 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 reviewed the comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 20 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has reviewed the comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to revise the commercial driver's license (CDL) knowledge and skills testing standards, and to require new Federal minimum standards for States to issue commercial learner's permits (CLPs). FMCSA also proposes that a CLP holder meet virtually the same requirements as those for a CDL holder. This means that a driver holding a CLP would be subject to the same driver disqualification offenses as apply to a CDL holder. This NPRM responds to section 4019 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), section 4122 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and section 703 of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 (SAFE Port Act). The purpose of this proposal is to enhance safety by ensuring that only qualified drivers are allowed to operate commercial motor vehicles on our nation's highways.

FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 12 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has reviewed the comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be 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 31 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.

In response to a request, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extends until May 23, 2008, the comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on December 26, 2007. FMCSA also updates information in the Paperwork Reduction Act section in the preamble to the NPRM.

The FMCSA announces and requests public comment on data and information concerning the Pre-Authority Safety Audits (PASAs) for motor carriers that have applied to participate in the Agency's project to demonstrate the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond the commercial zones on the U.S.-Mexico border. This action is required by the ``U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007.''

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request an emergency approval process. FMCSA requested approval of this ICR not later than 30 days from the date of publication of this notice. The purpose of this information collection is to analyze the impact of the new Hours-of-Service regulations on drivers and the effects of these regulations on driver fatigue as well as to acquire general demographic information regarding the commercial motor vehicle driving population.

FMCSA announces that Rotel North American Tours, LLC (Rotel) has applied for exemption from the Agency's requirement that drivers of certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) possess a valid commercial driver's license (CDL). Rotel has requested this exemption for 22 German bus drivers who would transport German tourists in the United States by means of Rotel's specially equipped passenger-carrying CMVs. Rotel hires the bus drivers to conduct the tours in addition to operating the CMVs. Rotel previously was able to conduct these operations without exemption because its drivers had been able to obtain (and renew) non-resident CDLs from certain States. However, because of the recent emphasis upon security in the U.S., Rotel reports that no State currently issues non-resident CDLs. Rotel believes these drivers possess the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the U.S. requirement for a CDL. FMCSA requests public comment on the Rotel application for exemption.

FMCSA announces that Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) has applied for an exemption from the Federal requirement for a driver of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to hold a commercial drivers license (CDL). Volvo requests that the exemption cover three Swedish field test engineers who will test-drive CMVs for Volvo within the United States. These three Volvo employees all hold a valid Swedish CDL. Volvo states the exemption is needed to support a Volvo field test to meet future clean air standards, to test-drive Volvo prototype vehicles to verify results in ``real world'' environments, and to deliver the vehicles if necessary in the United States. Volvo believes the knowledge and skills tests and training program that Swedish drivers undergo to obtain a Swedish CDL ensures the exemption would provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety obtained by complying with the U.S. requirements for a CDL.

FMCSA announces a public meeting of the Agency's MRB. The MRB public meeting will provide the public an opportunity to observe and participate in MRB deliberations about the revision and development of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) medical standards, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 34 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.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces the availability of Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) modernization grant funding as authorized by Section 4123 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This law included an appropriation of $28 million (FY 2006-2009) towards modernization of CDLIS. The FY 2006 and FY 2007 funding of $5 million and $7 million was awarded to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators for development costs. The FY 2008 funding of $8 million being made available in this notice will be awarded to the States. The program is a discretionary grant program that provides funding for States to upgrade their driver licensing information systems to make them compatible with the new modernized CDLIS specifications. The grant funds under this program may be used for personnel, computer hardware and software, publications, testing, training, and quality control. The grant funds may not be used to rent, lease, or buy land or buildings. The agency in each State designated as the primary driver licensing agency responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program is eligible to apply for grant funding. The Federal share of the funds is established by SAFETEA-LU as 80 percent. There is a 20 percent matching requirement. The grant period for any grant awarded under this program is effective from the date the agreement is executed until September 30, 2010. Funds are available to any State that is in substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 31311 and submits a grant proposal that qualifies under the conditions in this notice, including assuming the responsibility of incorporating the new CDLIS specifications and improving its commercial driver licensing system. State grant proposals must include a detailed budget explaining how the funds will be used and how the State will meet the matching requirements. To apply for funding, applicants must register with the grants.gov Web site (https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp) and submit an application in accordance with instructions provided. Applications for grant funding must be submitted electronically to the FMCSA through the grants.gov web site.

FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to implement reporting requirements for household goods motor carriers operating in interstate commerce under section 4214 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). SAFETEA-LU directs FMCSA to issue regulations requiring that each household goods motor carrier operating in interstate commerce submit a quarterly report summarizing specific information. These reports must include the number of shipments originating with, and delivered by, the carrier; the number and general category of complaints lodged by consumers with the carrier; the number of claims for loss and damage in excess of $500 filed with the carrier; and the number of such claims resolved, declined, and pending during the reporting period.

FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 12 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has reviewed the comments submitted in response to the previous announcement and concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be 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 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.