Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amends its hours-of-service (HOS) regulations to adopt regulatory language consistent with the statutory exemption for certain railroad signal employees operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in connection with railroad signal work. This is in accordance with the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA of 2008), which took effect July 16, 2009. This action will ensure that Federal, State and local motor carrier enforcement officials are aware of the statutory exemption applicable to signal employees and eliminate the potential for issuance of improper citations.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 19 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 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 twenty-one 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 40 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) grants an exemption from certain commodity-specific cargo securement rules applicable to motor carriers transporting metal coils. The Flatbed Carrier Safety Group (FCSG) applied for an exemption to allow motor carriers transporting metal coils to secure them in a manner not provided for in current regulations, specifically to secure coils grouped in rows with eyes crosswise and the coils in contact with each other in the longitudinal direction. FCSG requested the exemption so all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators will be able to use FMCSA's pre-January 1, 2004 cargo securement procedures for the transportation of groups of metal coils with eyes crosswise. The Agency believes that permitting motor carriers to haul metal coils in this manner will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

On February 1, 2011, FMCSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed that electronic on-board recorders (EOBR) be required for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators who must keep records of duty status (RODS) (EOBR 2). In the EOBR 2 NPRM and in a predecessor EOBR rulemaking published on April 5, 2010 (EOBR 1), the Agency advised that it is required by statute to ensure that electronic devices are not used to harass CMV drivers, although they can be used by motor carriers to monitor productivity. The Agency believes it satisfactorily addressed the statutory requirement in both its EOBR rulemaking proceedings. In light of recent litigation challenging the Agency's treatment of driver harassment in EOBR 1, however, FMCSA wishes to ensure that interested parties have a full opportunity to address this issue in the active EOBR 2 rulemaking.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 19 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 proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to incorporate by reference the most recent version of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Inc.'s (AAMVA) Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) State Procedures Manual (the Manual). All State driver licensing agencies would use this updated version of the Manual to develop the process required in transmitting, receiving, recording and updating information on a CDLIS driver record. Such information includes, but is not limited to, the commercial driver's license (CDL) holder's physical description, commercial and noncommercial driving status, medical certification status, convictions, disqualifications and accidents. The purpose of this proposal is to enhance the safety of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations on our nation's highways.

The FMCSA solicits nominations and applications for appointment to the Board of Directors of the Unified Carrier Registration Plan (UCR Plan) of interested persons to serve as representatives of chief administrative officers of State agencies responsible for overseeing the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCR Agreement). The Agency will appoint four members from such State agencies, one from each of FMCSA's four service areas. As authorized by 49 U.S.C. 14504a, the UCR Plan is responsible for the administration of the UCR Agreement. The UCR Agreement governs the registration and the collection and distribution of fees paid by for-hire and private motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies. The UCR Plan and Agreement replaced the Single State Registration System (SSRS), which was repealed as of January 1, 2008.

On March 1, 2011, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) requested that PHMSA and FMCSA extend the comment period for the Highway-Rail Grade Crossing; Safe Clearance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which was published on January 28, 2011, by 60 days. CVSA believes the extension is necessary to gain feedback from its members who will be attending the CVSA Spring Workshop Meeting from April 11- 14, 2011. This notice reopens the public comment period for the NPRM from March 29, 2011, to April 29, 2011.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 17 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 its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 21 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 requests public comment from all interested parties on the impact of the Agency's previous decision granting certain members of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) an exemption from the current HOS prohibition against driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) after the 14th hour of coming on duty (i.e., the 14-hour Provision), provided their drivers did not operate CMVs after accumulating 14 hours on duty. The exemption covers certain pyrotechnics carriers and drivers for a period that begins 7 days prior to Independence Day and ends 2 days immediately following that holiday. The Agency initially granted a waiver from the 14-hour Provision in 2004, and granted an exemption from the 14-hour Provision in 2005 with subsequent renewals in 2007 and 2009. FMCSA requests public comment on the safety impact of the exemption during the Independence Day periods of 2004 through 2010.

FMCSA announces its renewal of the exemption for Greyhound Lines, Inc. (Greyhound) regarding the placement of video event recorders at the top of the windshields on its buses. Greyhound will continue to use the video event recorders to increase safety through (1) identification and remediation of risky driving behaviors such as distracted driving and drowsiness; (2) enhanced monitoring of passenger behavior; and (3) enhanced collision review and analysis. The Agency believes that granting this exemption renewal will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption. However, the Agency requests comments on this issue, particularly from parties who believe the Greyhound exemption would not meet that standard.

On March 4, 2004, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published its Guidance for the use of binding arbitration in Agency civil penalty forfeiture proceedings in which the only issues remaining to be resolved are the amount of the civil penalty owed and the length of time in which to pay it. The Guidance provides that FMCSA use a form of arbitration known as ``Night Baseball,'' under which each party gives to the Arbitrator its proposal for the civil penalty in a sealed envelope. After the Arbitrator makes a written determination as to what he or she believes the civil penalty should be, the envelopes are opened. The Arbitrator then selects the proposed civil penalty that is closer to his or her determination. FMCSA is proposing to revise the Guidance to eliminate the ``Night Baseball'' format, and to replace it with a format in which the Arbitrator determines the final civil penalty and the amount of time in which to pay it.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is making available for public comment a modification of the proposed information collection request (ICR) related to the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) published on December 1, 2008. In the comments on the NPRM, a commenter inquired as to what a motor carrier had to do to verify that a medical examiner's certificate had been issued to a commercial motor vehicle driver by a medical examiner listed on the proposed NRCME. In response to this and other comments, FMCSA is considering whether to require employers to verify that the medical examiner is listed and to place a record of such verification in the driver qualification file. This document is to inform the public that a modified ICR that includes this verification requirement under consideration is available for public comment. The other information collection requirements were made available for public comments at the same time as the NPRM. Therefore, comments will only be considered in response to this document with respect to the information collection aspects of the verification requirements under consideration by the Agency. Comments on the other information collection requirements proposed with the NPRM will not be considered.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 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) announces that its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) will hold a public meeting on March 31 and April 1, 2011, in Louisville, Kentucky. Discussion will focus on Patterns of Safety Violations by Motor Carrier Management (Committee Task 11-01), which was begun at the December 2010 meeting. The meeting will be held as part of the Mid America Trucking Show and will be open to the public for oral comment.

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 review and approval. This ICR will be used to collect information on recent interstate household goods shippers' (consumers) awareness of the Household Goods (HHG) Consumer Information Program messages and activities.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) by eliminating 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. Currently, the FMCSRs require operational brakes on any wheel of a saddle-mounted vehicle that is in contact with the roadway. ACC contends 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, and submitted test results supporting this position.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 23 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 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 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.

This document corrects the docket number for FMCSA's notice of application for exemption on Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Brakes; Application for Exemption From Innovative Electronics published in the Federal Register of February 10, 2011.