Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration January 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces that Rotel North American Tours, LLC (Rotel), has applied for renewal of its current exemption permitting 22 drivers employed by Rotel and possessing German CDLs, to operate commercial motor vehicles in the United States without a CDL issued by one of the States. Of the 22 named drivers, five drivers are new and will be replacing five drivers who are no longer employed by Rotel. Like the other 17 Rotel drivers operating under the current exemption, the five new drivers are non-residents of the U.S. and holders of German CDLs. Rotel asks that the current exemption, due to expire July 30, 2012, be renewed subject to the terms and conditions of the current exemption for an additional period of 2 years. The five new Rotel drivers would be subject to all the terms and conditions of the renewed exemption. FMCSA requests public comments on Rotel's application.

FMCSA announces that MCSAC will hold a meeting on Monday- Thursday, February 6-9, 2012, which will include a joint meeting on Monday, February 6, 2012, with the MRB to finalize recommendations of the joint MCSAC-MRB subcommittee to the FMCSA Administrator on obstructive sleep apnea. The MCSAC will meet separately on Tuesday- Thursday, February 7-8, 2012, where it will consider issues relating to the prevention of harassment of truck and bus drivers through electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs). On Thursday, February 9, there will be a preliminary discussion of ideas and concepts the MCSAC believes the Agency should consider concerning motorcoach hours-of- service (HOS). All four days of the meeting will be open to the public. Time and Dates: The meetings will be held on Monday-Wednesday, February 6-8, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time (E.T.), and on Thursday, February 9, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., E.T. The meetings will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 in the Washington and Jefferson Rooms on the 2nd floor. The Hilton Alexandria Old Town is located across the street from the King Street Metro station. Copies of all MCSAC Task Statements and an agenda for the entire 4- day meeting will be made available in advance of the meeting at https:// mcsac.fmcsa.dot.gov.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from thirteen 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 requirement.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from twenty 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.

The FMCSA amends its December 3, 2011, final rule that restricted the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles. That rule was jointly issued by FMCSA and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), but this technical amendment only affects an FMCSA regulation. The purpose of this rule is to correct a clerical error.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt seven 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 requirement. 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 17 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 receipt of applications from 15 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with seizure disorders to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt twenty-two 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.