Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 20 / Tuesday, January 30, 2024 / Notices 5991 

the fleet of UAs operated during a light 

show. 

[FR Doc. 2024–01726 Filed 1–29–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2013–0123; FMCSA– 

2014–0104; FMCSA–2014–0385;FMCSA– 

2016–0003; FMCSA–2017–0057; FMCSA– 

2017–0058; FMCSA–2017–0060; FMCSA– 

2018–0139; FMCSA–2019–0109; FMCSA– 

2019–0111; FMCSA–2019–0112] 

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption 

Applications; Hearing 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of renewal of 

exemptions; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its 

decision to renew exemptions for 18 

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. 

DATES: Each group of renewed 

exemptions were applicable on the 

dates stated in the discussions below 

and will expire on the dates provided 

below. Comments must be received on 

or before February 29, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by the Federal Docket 

Management System Docket No. 

FMCSA–2013–0123, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2014–0104, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2014–0385, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2016–0003, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2017–0057, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2017–0058, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2017–0060, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2018–0139, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2019–0109, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2019–0111, or Docket No. 

FMCSA–2019–0112 using any of the 

following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

www.regulations.gov/, insert the docket 

number (FMCSA–2013–0123, FMCSA– 

2014–0104, FMCSA–2014–0385, 

FMCSA–2016–0003, FMCSA–2017– 

0057, FMCSA–2017–0058, FMCSA– 

2017–0060, FMCSA–2018–0139, 

FMCSA–2019–0109, FMCSA–2019– 

0111, or FMCSA–2019–0112) in the 

keyword box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, 

sort the results by ‘‘Posted (NewerOlder),’’ choose the first notice listed, 

and click on the ‘‘Comment’’ button. 

Follow the online instructions for 

submitting comments. 

• Mail: Dockets Operations; U.S. 

Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building 

Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001. 

• Hand Delivery: West Building 

Ground Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 

SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday 

through Friday, except Federal 

Holidays. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

To avoid duplication, please use only 

one of these four methods. See the 

‘‘Public Participation’’ portion of the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 

instructions on submitting comments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical 

Programs Division, FMCSA, DOT, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001, (202) 366– 

4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov. Office 

hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

If you have questions regarding viewing 

or submitting material to the docket, 

contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366– 

9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation 

A. Submitting Comments 

If you submit a comment, please 

include the docket number for this 

notice (Docket No. FMCSA–2013–0123, 

Docket No. FMCSA–2014–0104, Docket 

No. FMCSA–2014–0385, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2016–0003, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2017–0057, Docket No. 

FMCSA–2017–0058, Docket No. 

FMCSA–201–0060, Docket No. FMCSA– 

2018–0139, Docket No. FMCSA–2019– 

0109, Docket No. FMCSA–20–0111, or 

Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0112) 

indicate the specific section of this 

document to which each comment 

applies and provide a reason for each 

suggestion or recommendation. You 

may submit your comments and 

material online or by fax, mail, or hand 

delivery, but please use only one of 

these means. FMCSA recommends that 

you include your name and a mailing 

address, an email address, or a phone 

number in the body of your document 

so that FMCSA can contact you if there 

are questions regarding your 

submission. 

To submit your comment online, go to 

www.regulations.gov/, insert the docket 

number (FMCSA–2013–0123, FMCSA– 

2014–0104, FMCSA–2014–0385, 

FMCSA–2016–0003, FMCSA–2017– 

0057, FMCSA–2017–0058, FMCSA– 

2017–0060, FMCSA–2018–0139, 

FMCSA–2019–0109, FMCSA–2019– 

0111, or FMCSA–2019–0112) in the 

keyword box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, 

sort the results by ‘‘Posted (NewerOlder),’’ choose the first notice listed, 

click the ‘‘Comment’’ button, and type 

your comment into the text box on the 

following screen. Choose whether you 

are submitting your comment as an 

individual or on behalf of a third party 

and then submit. 

If you submit your comments by mail 

or hand delivery, submit them in an 

unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 

11 inches, suitable for copying and 

electronic filing. FMCSA will consider 

all comments and material received 

during the comment period. 

B. Viewing Comments 

To view comments go to 

www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 

number (FMCSA–2013–0123, FMCSA– 

2014–0104, FMCSA–2014–0385, 

FMCSA–2016–0003, FMCSA–2017– 

0057, FMCSA–2017–0058, FMCSA– 

2017–0060, FMCSA–2018–0139, 

FMCSA–2019–0109, FMCSA–2019– 

0111, or FMCSA–2019–0112) in the 

keyword box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, 

sort the results by ‘‘Posted (NewerOlder),’’ choose the first notice listed, 

and click ‘‘Browse Comments.’’ If you 

do not have access to the internet, you 

may view the docket online by visiting 

Dockets Operations on the ground floor 

of the DOT West Building, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 

20590–0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

ET Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. To be sure someone is 

there to help you, please call (202) 366– 

9317 or (202) 366–9826 before visiting 

Dockets Operations. 

C. Privacy Act 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 

31315(b)(6), DOT solicits comments 

from the public on the exemption 

requests. DOT posts these comments, 

without edit, including any personal 

information the commenter provides, to 

www.regulations.gov. As described in 

the system of records notice DOT/ALL 

14 (Federal Docket Management 

System), which can be reviewed at 

https://www.transportation.gov/ 

individuals/privacy/privacy-act-systemrecords-notices, the comments are 

searchable by the name of the submitter. 

II. Background 

Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), FMCSA may grant an 

exemption from the FMCSRs for no 

longer than a 5-year period if it finds 

such exemption would likely achieve a 

level of safety that is equivalent to, or 


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5992 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 20 / Tuesday, January 30, 2024 / Notices 

greater than, the level that would be 

achieved absent such exemption. The 

statutes also allow the Agency to renew 

exemptions at the end of the 5-year 

period. FMCSA grants medical 

exemptions from the FMCSRs for a 2- 

year period to align with the maximum 

duration of a driver’s medical 

certification. 

The physical qualification standard 

for drivers regarding hearing found in 

49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) states that a 

person is physically qualified to drive a 

CMV if that person first perceives a 

forced whispered voice in the better ear 

at not less than 5 feet with or without 

the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by 

use of an audiometric device, does not 

have an average hearing loss in the 

better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 

Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or 

without a hearing aid when the 

audiometric device is calibrated to 

American National Standard (formerly 

ASA Standard) Z24.5—1951. 

This standard was adopted in 1970 

and was revised in 1971 to allow drivers 

to be qualified under this standard 

while wearing a hearing aid, (35 FR 

6458, 6463 (Apr. 22, 1970) and 36 FR 

12857 (July 8, 1971), respectively). 

The 18 individuals listed in this 

notice have requested renewal of their 

exemptions from the hearing standard 

in § 391.41(b)(11), in accordance with 

FMCSA procedures. Accordingly, 

FMCSA has evaluated these 

applications for renewal on their merits 

and decided to extend each exemption 

for a renewable 2-year period. 

III. Request for Comments 

Interested parties or organizations 

possessing information that would 

otherwise show that any, or all, of these 

drivers are not currently achieving the 

statutory level of safety should 

immediately notify FMCSA. The 

Agency will evaluate any adverse 

evidence submitted and, if safety is 

being compromised or if continuation of 

the exemption would not be consistent 

with the goals and objectives of 49 

U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA 

will take immediate steps to revoke the 

exemption of a driver. 

IV. Basis for Renewing Exemptions 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 

and 31315(b), each of the 18 applicants 

has satisfied the renewal conditions for 

obtaining an exemption from the 

hearing requirement. The 18 drivers in 

this notice remain in good standing with 

the Agency. In addition, for commercial 

driver’s license (CDL) holders, the 

Commercial Driver’s License 

Information System and the Motor 

Carrier Management Information System 

are searched for crash and violation 

data. For non-CDL holders, the Agency 

reviews the driving records from the 

State Driver’s Licensing Agency. These 

factors provide an adequate basis for 

predicting each driver’s ability to 

continue to safely operate a CMV in 

interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA 

concludes that extending the exemption 

for each of these drivers for a period of 

2 years is likely to achieve a level of 

safety equal to that existing without the 

exemption. 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 

and 31315(b), the following groups of 

drivers received renewed exemptions in 

the month of February and are 

discussed below. 

As of February 14, 2024, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following eight 

individuals have satisfied the renewal 

conditions for obtaining an exemption 

from the hearing requirement in the 

FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers: 

Lucius Fowler (IL) 

Jared Gunn (IL) 

Daniel Krystosek (MN) 

John Malm (IL) 

Ray Norris (TX) 

Abel Talamantes (WA) 

Andrew Tessin (NC) 

Charles Wirick (MD) 

The drivers were included in docket 

numbers FMCSA–2013–0123, 

FMCSA–2014–0104, FMCSA–2017– 

0058, FMCSA–2018–0139, FMCSA– 

2019–0111, or FMCSA–2019–0112. 

Their exemptions are applicable as of 

February 14, 2024 and will expire on 

February 14, 2026. 

As of February 19, 2024, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following 10 individuals 

have satisfied the renewal conditions for 

obtaining an exemption from the 

hearing requirement in the FMCSRs for 

interstate CMV drivers: 

Wyatt Baldwin (NV) 

Adam Hayes (CA) 

Amy Ivins (NE) 

Bradley Ledford (NE) 

Adrian Lopez (TX) 

Jeffrey Schulkers (KY) 

Mark Tabangcora (CA) 

Jason Thomas (TX) 

Joshua Tinley (AZ) 

Kerri Wright (OK) 

The drivers were included in docket 

numbers FMCSA–2016–0003, FMCSA– 

2017–0057, or FMCSA–2017–0060. 

Their exemptions are applicable as of 

February 19, 2024 and will expire on 

February 19, 2026. 

V. Conditions and Requirements 

The exemptions are extended subject 

to the following conditions: (1) each 

driver must report any crashes or 

accidents as defined in § 390.5T; and (2) 

report all citations and convictions for 

disqualifying offenses under 49 CFR 

parts 383 and 391 to FMCSA; and (3) 

each driver prohibited from operating a 

motorcoach or bus with passengers in 

interstate commerce. The driver must 

also have a copy of the exemption when 

driving, for presentation to a duly 

authorized Federal, State, or local 

enforcement official. In addition, the 

exemption does not exempt the 

individual from meeting the applicable 

CDL testing requirements. Each 

exemption will be valid for 2 years 

unless rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The 

exemption will be rescinded if: (1) the 

person fails to comply with the terms 

and conditions of the exemption; (2) the 

exemption has resulted in a lower level 

of safety than was maintained before it 

was granted; or (3) continuation of the 

exemption would not be consistent with 

the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 

31136(e) and 31315(b). 

VI. Preemption 

During the period the exemption is in 

effect, no State shall enforce any law or 

regulation that conflicts with this 

exemption with respect to a person 

operating under the exemption. 

VII. Conclusion 

Based upon its evaluation of the 18 

exemption applications, FMCSA renews 

the exemptions of the aforementioned 

drivers from the hearing requirement in 

§ 391.41(b)(11). In accordance with 49 

U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), each 

exemption will be valid for 2 years 

unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 

Larry W. Minor, 

Associate Administrator for Policy. 

[FR Doc. 2024–01801 Filed 1–29–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Transit Administration 

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2024–0002] 

Agency Information Collection Activity 

Under OMB Review: Charter Service 

Operations 

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of request for comments. 

SUMMARY: In compliance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 

notice announces that the Information 

Collection Requirements (ICRs) 

abstracted below have been forwarded 

to the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) for review and comment. The 


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