Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration July 30, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to grant Rotel North American Tours, LLC (Rotel), an exemption to enable 22 drivers with German commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to operate 11 commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the U.S. without a CDL issued by one of the States. Rotel conducts tours of the U.S. on a seasonal basis for Europeans. It uses motor coaches that are equipped with onboard sleeping and eating facilities. The drivers, in addition to operating the CMVs, provide oral commentary in German. Rotel previously was able to conduct these operations without exemption because its drivers were able to obtain (and renew) non-resident CDLs from certain States. However, there are currently no States willing to issue non-resident CDLs. Rotel states that it must obtain this exemption or end its specialty tour operations.