Document ID: FMCSA-2010-0138-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus
Posted Date: 2010-06-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register: June 16, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 115)]
[Notices]               
[Page 34206-34209]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn10-126]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2010-0138]

 
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption from the diabetes mellitus 
standard; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 25 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.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2010-0138 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the 
docket numbers for this Notice. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below 
for further information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12-140 
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your 
comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard 
or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting 
comments on-line.
    Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19476). This information is 
also available at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical 
Programs, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64-224, Washington, 
DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for a 2-year period 
if it finds ``such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety 
that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved absent such exemption.'' The statute also allows the Agency to 
renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 25 individuals 
listed in this Notice have recently requested such an exemption from 
the diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b) (3), which applies to 
drivers of CMV in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Agency will 
evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether 
granting

[[Page 34207]]

the exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by the 
statutes.

Qualifications of Applicants

Calvin R. Adams

    Mr. Adams, age 62, has had ITDM since 1997. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Adams meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A Commercial Driver's License 
(CDL) from Texas.

Michael R. Amstutz

    Mr. Amstutz, 59, has had ITDM since 1994. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Amstutz meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2009 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio.

Clinton R. Carlson, II

    Mr. Carlson, 22, has had ITDM since 2002. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Carlson meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class 10 operator's license from Rhode 
Island, which allows him to operate any motor vehicle except a 
motorcycle and a vehicle that weighs more than 26,000 pounds, carries 
16 or more passengers or transports placarded amounts of hazardous 
materials.

Brandon L. Cheek

    Mr. Cheek, 34, has had ITDM since 1980. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Cheek meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's 
license from North Carolina.

Michael J. Drake

    Mr. Drake, 52, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Drake meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Illinois.

Richard A. Dufton, Jr.

    Mr. Dufton, 58, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Dufton meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New Hampshire.

Kenneth Dunn

    Mr. Dunn, 44, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic reactions 
resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another 
person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred 
without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes management 
and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using insulin; and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Dunn meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him 
in 2010 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Indiana.

Robert J. Dyxin

    Mr. Dyxin, 29, has had ITDM since 1999. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Dyxin meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from 
Illinois.

Scott D. Endres

    Mr. Endres, 31, has had ITDM since 1987. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Endres meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2009 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's 
license from Wisconsin.

Michael H. Hayden

    Mr. Hayden, 52, has had ITDM since 1984. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr.

[[Page 34208]]

Hayden meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified 
that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D 
operator's license from New York.

Jarvis D. Hubbell

    Mr. Hubbell, 48, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hubbell meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from 
California.

John T. Jones

    Mr. Jones, 40, has had ITDM since 1997. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Jones meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Oklahoma.

Blake A. S. Keeten

    Mr. Keeten, 23, has had ITDM since 1994. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Keeten meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class O operator's license from 
Nebraska, which allows him to drive any non-commercial vehicle except 
motorcycles

Randall L. Koegel

    Mr. Koegel, 55, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Koegel meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from New York.

Nicholas J. Niemerg

    Mr. Niemerg, 27, has had ITDM since 1984. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Niemerg meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Illinois.

Dereck J. Oliveira

    Mr. Oliveira, 52, has had ITDM since 2000. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Oliveira meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from New 
Hampshire.

Paul J. O'Neil, Jr.

    Mr. O'Neil, 56, has had ITDM since 1991. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. O'Neil meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from 
Virginia.

Worden T. Price

    Mr. Price, 25, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Price meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2009 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from North 
Carolina.

Frankie R. Ramey

    Mr. Ramey, 55, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Ramey meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Alabama.

Michael Romero

    Mr. Romero, 48, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Romero meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2009 and certified that he does not 
have

[[Page 34209]]

diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from New Mexico.

Gary L. Sager

    Mr. Sager, 42, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Sager meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Illinois.

Darrel D. Schroeder

    Mr. Schroeder, 54, has had ITDM since 1985. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Schroeder meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Kansas.

Steven M. Sernett

    Mr. Sernett, 24, has had ITDM since 1988. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Sernett meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from South Dakota.

Scott C. Sevedge

    Mr. Sevedge, 55, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2009 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Sevedge meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2010 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Wisconsin.

Steven G. Woltman

    Mr. Woltman, 47, has had ITDM since 1982. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2010 and certified that he has had no hypoglycemic 
reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance 
of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that 
occurred without warning in the past 5 years; understands diabetes 
management and monitoring; has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin; and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Woltman meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2010 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class R operator's 
license from Colorado, which allows him to drive any motor vehicle with 
a gross weight of less than 26,001 pounds.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA requests 
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions 
described in this Notice. We will consider all comments received before 
the close of business on the closing date indicated in the date section 
of the Notice.
    FMCSA notes that section 4129 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible 
and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users requires 
the Secretary to revise its diabetes exemption program established on 
September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52441).\1\ The revision must provide for 
individual assessment of drivers with diabetes mellitus, and be 
consistent with the criteria described in section 4018 of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 31305).
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    \1\ Section 4129(a) refers to the 2003 Notice as a ``final 
rule.'' However, the 2003 Notice did not issue a ``final rule'' but 
did establish the procedures and standards for issuing exemptions 
for drivers with ITDM.
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    Section 4129 requires: (1) elimination of the requirement for 3 
years of experience operating CMVs while being treated with insulin; 
and (2) establishment of a specified minimum period of insulin use to 
demonstrate stable control of diabetes before being allowed to operate 
a CMV.
    In response to section 4129, FMCSA made immediate revisions to the 
diabetes exemption program established by the September 3, 2003 Notice. 
FMCSA discontinued use of the 3-year driving experience and fulfilled 
the requirements of section 4129 while continuing to ensure that 
operation of CMVs by drivers with ITDM will achieve the requisite level 
of safety required of all exemptions granted under 49 U.S.C. 31136 (e).
    Section 4129(d) also directed FMCSA to ensure that drivers of CMVs 
with ITDM are not held to a higher standard than other drivers, with 
the exception of limited operating, monitoring and medical requirements 
that are deemed medically necessary. The FMCSA concluded that all of 
the operating, monitoring and medical requirements set out in the 
September 3, 2003 Notice, except as modified, were in compliance with 
section 4129(d). Therefore, all of the requirements set out in the 
September 3, 2003 Notice, except as modified by the Notice in the 
Federal Register on November 8, 2005 (70 FR 67777), remain in effect.

    Issued on: June 10, 2010.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-14538 Filed 6-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P