Document ID: FMCSA-2014-0299-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications: Vision
Posted Date: 2014-12-10T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73397-73400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28959]

[[Page 73397]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0299]

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 24 individuals 
for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in 
one eye for various reasons. If granted the exemptions would enable 
these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in 
interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement 
in one eye.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 9, 2015. All 
comments will be investigated by FMCSA. The exemptions will be issued 
the day after the comment period closes.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0299 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: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. 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 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, R.N., Chief, Medical 
Programs Division, (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. If you have questions 
regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket 
Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. 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.'' FMCSA can renew exemptions at the end of each 
2-year period. The 24 individuals listed in this notice have each 
requested such an exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. 
Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each 
applicant to determine whether granting an exemption will achieve the 
required level of safety mandated by statute.

II. Qualifications of Applicants

Michael L. Boersma

    Mr. Boersma, 65, has had amblyopia in his left eye since birth. The 
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/400. 
Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist stated, ``I feel 
Michael has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Boersma reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 14 years, accumulating 560,000 miles. He holds an 
operator's license from North Dakota. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

Marc D. Butler

    Mr. Butler, 62, has had amblyopia in his right eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/150, and in his left eye, 20/
25. Following an examination in 2014, his ophthalmologist stated, ``It 
is my opinion that Mr. Butler has sufficient visual acuity, color 
vision and visual field to safely operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. 
Butler reported that he has driven straight trucks for 24 years, 
accumulating 324,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

Roger P. Dittrich

    Mr. Dittrich, 64, has had loss of vision secondary to retinal 
detachment and corneal scarring in his right eye since 1971. The visual 
acuity in his right eye is light perception, and in his left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2014, his ophthalmologist stated, 
``Corneal scar OD. Pt does pass requirements for VA for CDL.'' Mr. 
Dittrich reported that he has driven straight trucks for 44 years, 
accumulating 880,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 30 
years, accumulating 600,000 miles. He holds a Class AM CDL from 
Illinois. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and 
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Ralph V. Graven

    Mr. Graven, 61, has had a retinal detachment in his left eye since 
2000. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 
no light perception. Following an examination in 2014, his 
ophthalmologist stated, ``I opine that he has sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Graven reported that he has driven straight trucks for 43 years, 
accumulating 322,500 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 43 
years, accumulating 322,500 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Oregon. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Dennis R. Grear

    Mr. Grear, 69, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. 
The visual

[[Page 73398]]

acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/400. 
Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist stated, ``Mr. Grear 
has been operating a commercial vehicle for many years with his current 
visual deficiencies and in my opinion he should be able to safely 
continue to drive a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Grear reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating 175,000 miles, and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 42 years, accumulating 2.1 million 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from South Dakota. His driving record for 
the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV.

Michael D. Halferty

    Mr. Halferty, 44, has a retinal detachment in his right eye due to 
a traumatic incident during childhood. The visual acuity in his right 
eye is hand motion, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an 
examination in 2014, his optometrist stated, ``It is my opinion that 
Mr. Halferty has previously performed and has the visual capabilities 
to continue to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Halferty reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 5 years, accumulating 150,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 24 years, accumulating three million miles. He holds a 
Class A CDL from Iowa. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Eric C. Hammer

    Mr. Hammer, 42, has had amblyopia with refractive error in his left 
eye since birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in 
his left eye, 20/400. Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist 
stated, ``In my professional opinion, Eric Hammer has sufficient vision 
to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Hammer reported that he has driven straight trucks for 
13 years, accumulating 390,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations 
for 13 years, accumulating 390,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Missouri. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and 
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Thomas F. Hannon

    Mr. Hannon, 52, has had a retinal scar in his right eye due to a 
traumatic incident in childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 
20/100, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2014, 
his ophthalmologist stated, ``His peripheral vision is completely 
normal in both eyes and I do not see any reason why he could not 
perform the duties of a commercial driver, especially visual field-wise 
since his visual fields are normal except for a central scotoma in the 
right eye, which is easily compensated for in his left eye.'' Mr. 
Hannon reported that he has driven straight trucks for 1.5 years, 
accumulating 37,500 miles. He holds an operator's license from Rhode 
Island. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Robert K. Ipock

    Mr. Ipock, 55, has had enucleation due to a tumor in his left eye 
since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in 
his left eye, no light perception. Following an examination in 2014, 
his optometrist stated, ``It is in my opinion that Robert K. Ipock has 
sufficient vision to safely perform the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Ipock reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 25 years, accumulating 262,500 miles. He holds an 
operator's license from North Carolina. His driving record for the last 
3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

Kennard D. Julien

    Mr. Julien, 45, has had amblyopia and a cataract in his left eye 
since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in 
his left eye, 20/200. Following an examination in 2014, his 
ophthalmologist stated, ``Dr [sic] Steiner certifies that is [sic] his 
opinion, Kennard has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Julien reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 10 years, accumulating 240,000 miles, 
and tractor-trailer combinations for 8 years, accumulating 192,000 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Washington. His driving record for 
the last 3 years shows no crashes and one conviction for a moving 
violation in a CMV; he failed to obey a road sign or traffic signal.

Peter M. Kirby

    Mr. Kirby, 58, has had phthisical secondary to retinal detachment 
in his left eye since 2010. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/
20, and in his left eye, no light perception. Following an examination 
in 2014, his optometrist stated, ``In my medical opinion, I feel Mr. 
Kirby does have sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required 
to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Kirby reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 35 years, accumulating 3.57 million miles, 
and tractor-trailer combinations for 35 years, accumulating 1.86 
million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

William D. Koiner

    Mr. Koiner, 31, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/
100. Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist stated, ``The 
above individual has sufficient vision to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Koiner reported that he has driven straight trucks for 
one year, accumulating 10,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations 
for 6.5 years, accumulating 650,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Texas. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Jesse L. Lichtenberger

    Mr. Lichtenberger, 32, has had refractive amblyopia in his left eye 
since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in 
his left eye, 20/400. Following an examination in 2014, his 
ophthalmologist stated, ``It is of my opinion that Jesse certainly has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Lichtenberger reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 14 years, accumulating 504,000 miles, and tractor-
trailer combinations for 10 years, accumulating 360,000 miles. He holds 
a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

David J. Nocton

    Mr. Nocton, 70, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/
100. Following an examination in 2014, his ophthalmologist stated, ``I 
certainly believe that his vision is sufficient to perform the driving 
tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Nocton reported 
that he has driven buses for 14 years, accumulating 385,000 miles. He 
holds a Class B CDL from Minnesota. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

Darren W. Pruett

    Mr. Pruett, 48, has had open globe trauma in his left eye due to a 
traumatic incident in 2009. The visual acuity in

[[Page 73399]]

his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, no light perception. 
Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist stated, ``In my 
opinion is [sic] having had this defect for 5 years and maintaining a 
safe driving record he would have sufficiently learned how to adapt to 
his visual deficit by now and would be qualified to continue driving 
commercially.'' Mr. Pruett reported that he has driven straight trucks 
for 5 years, accumulating 175,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 13 years, accumulating 1.89 million miles. He holds a 
Class A CDL from Texas. His driving record for the last 3 years shows 
one crash, for which he was not cited and to which he did not 
contribute, and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Frederick E. Schaub

    Mr. Schaub, 57, has had optic atrophy in his left eye since birth. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, no 
light perception. Following an examination in 2014, his ophthalmologist 
stated, ``Based on his examination, and with the use of left sided 
mirrors, I do not see any contraindication to renewing his CDL.'' Mr. 
Schaub reported that he has driven straight trucks for 39 years, 
accumulating 1.46 million miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 
20 years, accumulating 250 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

Michael R. Seldomridge

    Mr. Seldomridge, 41, has had amblyopia in his left eye since 
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/25, and in his left 
eye, 20/50. Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist stated, 
``It is my opinion that Mr. Seldomridge has sufficient vision to 
perform that driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Seldomridge reported that he has driven straight trucks for 26 
years, accumulating 390,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 
20 years, accumulating 20,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Florida. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and 
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Michael G. Somma

    Mr. Somma, 32, has had amblyopic vision loss and aphakia in his 
left eye due to a traumatic incident during childhood. The visual 
acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in his left eye, 20/100. 
Following an examination in 2014, his ophthalmologist stated, ``His 
visual acuity in his left eye is stable with no evidence of progressive 
change. . .I see no contraindication to his use of operating and 
driving commercial vehicle [sic].'' Mr. Somma reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 15 years, accumulating 300,000 miles. He 
holds an operator's license from New York. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Mark J. Stanley

    Mr. Stanley, 54, has a partial retinal detachment in his right eye 
due to a traumatic incident in 1979. The visual acuity in his right eye 
is 20/300, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 
2014, his optometrist stated, ``Mark has been driving for 35 years and 
has adapted well to his visual condition. I certify that Mark Stanley 
is well qualified to continue commercial driving as he has for the past 
many years.'' Mr. Stanley reported that he has driven tractor-trailer 
combinations for 14 years, accumulating 840,000 miles. He holds a Class 
AM1 CDL from California. His driving record for the last 3 years shows 
no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Jason E. Thomas

    Mr. Thomas, 28, has enucleation in his left eye due to a traumatic 
incident in 2007. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in 
his left eye, no light perception. Following an examination in 2014, 
his ophthalmologist stated, ``In my medical opinion Jason has 
sufficient vision to drive a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Thomas reported 
that he has driven straight trucks for 10 years, accumulating 50,000 
miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 10 years, accumulating 
50,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from North Dakota. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

Michael K. Toodle

    Mr. Toodle, 60, has had optic atrophy in his left eye since 2009. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 
counting fingers. Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist 
stated, ``I Dr. Hamm certifies [sic] that in my medical opinion, 
Michael K. Toodle have [sic] sufficient vision to perform the driving 
tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Toodle reported 
that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 42 years, 
accumulating 4.2 million miles. He holds an operator's license from 
North Carolina. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and three convictions for moving violations in a CMV; in one 
instance he exceeded the speed limit by nine mph; in two others he 
failed to obey traffic signs.

Troy W. Weaver

    Mr. Weaver, 41, has had a Lasik vision complication in his left eye 
since 2008. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his 
left eye, 20/400. Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist 
stated, ``I certify that Mr. Weaver has sufficient vision to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. 
Weaver reported that he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, 
accumulating 7,500 miles. He holds an operator's license from 
Pennsylvania. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes 
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Diane L. Wedebrand

    Ms. Wedebrand, 53, has had amblyopia in her right eye since birth. 
The visual acuity in her right eye is 20/150, and in her left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2014, her optometrist stated, ``I, Dr. 
Craig Baker, in my medical opinion that Diane L. Wedebrand has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Ms. Wedebrand reported that she has driven 
straight trucks for 8 years, accumulating 9,600 miles. She holds an 
operator's license from Iowa. Her driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Eddie L. Wilkins

    Mr. Wilkins, 65, has cyclodialysis and retinal scarring in his 
right eye due to a traumatic incident during childhood. The visual 
acuity in his right eye is no light perception, and in his left eye, 
20/20. Following an examination in 2014, his optometrist stated, ``In 
my medical opinion Mr. Wilkins has sufficient vision to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Wilkins reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 20 years, accumulating 400,000 miles, tractor-trailer 
combinations for 3 years, accumulating 12,000 miles, and buses for 3 
years, accumulating 24,030 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from Virginia. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

III. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and 
related materials.

[[Page 73400]]

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice, 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 the 
Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and 
put the docket number FMCSA-2014-0299 in the ``Keyword'' box, and click 
``Search. When the new screen appears, click on ``Comment Now!'' button 
and type your comment into the text box in 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 8\1/
2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you 
submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the 
facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or 
envelope.
    FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this notice based on your comments.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov and 
insert the docket number FMCSA-2014-0299 in the ``Keyword'' box and 
click ``Search.'' Next, click ``Open Docket Folder'' button and choose 
the document listed to review. If you do not have access to the 
Internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

    Issued on: December 1, 2014.
 Larry W. Minor,
 Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014-28959 Filed 12-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P