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

FMCSA requests public comment on an application for exemption submitted by Cleveland-Cliffs Steel, LLC (Cliffs), formerly known as ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor, LLC, to allow its employee-drivers with commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) who transport scrap metal on two trucks between their production and shipping locations on public roads to work up to 16 hours per day and to return to work with less than the mandatory 10 consecutive hours off duty. The exemption is similar to the exemption that allows Cliffs' drivers transporting steel coils to work the same hours of services (HOS). Unlike the steel coil exemption, the scrap metal trucks would comply with the heavy hauler trailer definition, height of rear side marker lights restrictions, tire loading restrictions, and the coil securement requirements in the FMCSRs.

In January 2021, FMCSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend its regulations to permit individuals who cannot meet either the current distant visual acuity or field of vision standard, or both, in one eye to be physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The comment period closed on March 15, 2021. The Agency received 69 comments. In May 2021, FMCSA requested, in part, that FMCSA's Medical Review Board (MRB) review and analyze the comments from medical professionals and associations and make recommendations regarding the proposed alternative vision standard for FMCSA to consider. The Agency announces the availability of the MRB's report and requests comments on the MRB's recommendations. MRB Task 21-1 Report is available in Docket Number FMCSA-2019-0049.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for eight individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for two individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (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. This notice invites comment on a new information collection titled ``Waiver and Exemption Requirements''. The ICR estimates the burden applicants incur to comply with the reporting tasks required for requesting waivers and exemptions. FMCSA has not previously accounted for these burdens.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 59 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA requests that medical examiners (MEs), by September 30, 2021, submit results of physical qualification examinations conducted during the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) outage from December 1, 2017, through August 13, 2018. During the outage, FMCSA encouraged MEs to continue conducting physical qualification examinations and instructed MEs to submit examination results to the National Registry when upload functionality was restored. The upload functionality was fully restored on August 13, 2018, but a significant number of healthcare professionals have not uploaded the results from examinations conducted during the National Registry outage. FMCSA requests that the examiners in question upload the information.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 27 individuals who requested an exemption from the vision standard in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 18 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt four individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from three individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) by persons with a current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope (transient loss of consciousness), dyspnea (shortness of breath), collapse, or congestive heart failure. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ICDs to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application from one individual treated with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) who requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) prohibiting operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce by persons with a current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope (transient loss of consciousness), dyspnea (shortness of breath), collapse, or congestive heart failure.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for three individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 67 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 13 individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA requests public comment on an application for exemption from EROAD Inc. (EROAD) to allow its Dashcam system, which is equipped with cameras, to be mounted lower in the windshield on commercial motor vehicles than is currently permitted.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from a group of affiliated driveaway motor carriers for an exemption from the requirement that drivers transporting certain empty passenger vehicles hold a commercial driver's license (CDL). The exemption would cover drivers delivering commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with seating capacities of 16 or more, including the driver, but with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 pounds. The application was submitted by Dealers' Choice Truckaway System, Inc. dba Truckmovers; Irontiger Logistics, Inc.; TM Canada, Inc.; and Victory Driveaway, Inc. (the applicants). The applicants transport minibuses from points of manufacture or distribution to school districts around the country. They argue that the current shortage of CDL drivers threatens to leave bus manufacturers without sufficient means to move their minibuses to customers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that would allow an individual who completes a training program consistent with a set of Recommended Practices (RPs) developed by ATA's Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) to be considered a qualified inspector for purposes of the periodic inspection rule, or a qualified brake inspector, for purposes of the brake system inspection, repair and maintenance requirements.

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. FMCSA requests renewal of an approved ICR titled, ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.'' This ICR allows for ongoing, collaborative and actionable communication between FMCSA and its customers and stakeholders. It also allows feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management.

FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to increase the area within which certain vehicle safety technology devices may be mounted on the interior of the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) windshields. In addition, FMCSA proposes to add items to the definition of vehicle safety technology. This NPRM responds to a rulemaking petition from Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA).

FMCSA announces a meeting of the MCSAC, which will take place via videoconference.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant, in part, the application of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) for renewal of exemptions from certain hours of service (HOS) regulations that expired on July 8, 2020. The request is being made on behalf of 60 APA member companies. The exemptions will allow drivers for these companies to exclude off-duty and sleeper berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14-hour limit and to use paper records of duty status (RODS) in lieu of electronic logging devices (ELD) during the 2021 Independence Day period. FMCSA has analyzed the application for exemptions and the public comments and has determined that the exemptions, subject to the terms and conditions imposed, will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemptions.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from four individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA amends its regulations to extend the compliance date from June 22, 2021, to June 23, 2025, for several provisions of its April 23, 2015, Medical Examiner's Certification Integration final rule. FMCSA issued an interim final rule (IFR) on June 21, 2018, extending the compliance date for these provisions until June 22, 2021. FMCSA published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) on April 22, 2021, that proposed further extending the compliance date to June 23, 2025. This final rule will provide FMCSA time to complete certain information technology (IT) system development tasks for its National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) and to provide the State Driver's Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) sufficient time to make the necessary IT programming changes when the new National Registry system is completed and available.

This notice provides revisions to the National Hazardous Materials Route Registry (NHMRR) reported to the FMCSA from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. The NHMRR is a listing, as reported by States and Tribal governments, of all designated and restricted roads and preferred highway routes for transportation of highway route controlled quantities of Class 7 radioactive materials (HRCQ/RAM) and non-radioactive hazardous materials (NRHM).