Document ID: FMCSA-2011-0010-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Qualifications of Drivers; Exemption Applications: Vision
Posted Date: 2011-02-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9856-9859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3905]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0010]

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 23 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

[[Page 9857]]

without meeting the Federal vision standard.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 24, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0010 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, 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between.
     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 DOT's Privacy Act Statement for the FDMS published in 
the Federal Register on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit 
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.

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.'' FMCSA can renew exemptions at the end 
of each 2-year period. The 23 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.

Qualifications of Applicants

Jody L. Baker

    Mr. Baker, age 38, has had a retinal detachment and cystoid macular 
edema in his right eye since 2000. The visual acuity in his right eye 
is 20/20 and in his left eye, count-finger vision. Following an 
examination in 2010, his ophthalmologist noted, ``Mr. Baker, it is my 
opinion, without reservation, that you have sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commerical vehicle.'' 
Mr. Baker reported that he has driven straight trucks for 17 years, 
accumulating 1.2 million miles. He holds a Class E operator's license 
from Missouri. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes 
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Gary W. Balcom

    Mr. Balcom, 69, has had age related macular degeneration since 
2007. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/400 and 
in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2010, his 
optometrist noted, ``I certify that, in my medical opinion, Mr. Balcom 
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Balcom reported that he has driven buses 
for 7 years, accumulating 165,438 miles. He holds a Class B Commercial 
Driver's License (CDL) from Michigan. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

Jimmie L. Blue

    Mr. Blue, 71, has had juveline macular degeneration that has been 
present in both eyes since age 21. The best corrected visual acuity in 
his right eye is 20/100 and in his left eye, 20/30. Following an 
examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, ``Thus it is my opinion 
that he has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Blue reported that he has driven 
tractor-trailer combinations for 45 years, accumulating 29 million 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Montana. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and one conviction for a moving violation 
in a CMV; he was driving on the wrong side of the road.

Ronald Cook

    Mr. Cook, 53, has had optic nerve hypoplasia in his right eye since 
birth. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/60 and 
in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2010, his 
optometrist noted, ``In my opinion, Mr. Cook is capable of the visual 
tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Cook reported 
that he has driven straight trucks for 25 years, accumulating 150,000 
miles and tractor-trailer combinations for 25 years, accumulating 
187,500 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Alabama. His driving record 
for the last 3 years shows one crash in a CMV, for which he was not 
cited, and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

James H. Corby

    Mr. Corby, 40, has loss of vision in his right eye due to corneal 
graft surgery in 2000. The best corrected visual acuity in his right 
eye is hand motion vision and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an 
examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, ``In my medical opinion, 
Jim can continue to drive a commercial vehicle, as he has done for the 
last three years.'' Mr. Corby reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 3 years, accumulating 15,600 miles. He holds a Class C 
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.

Bobby D. Cox

    Mr. Cox, 62, has had central vision loss in his right eye due to 
macular hemes and scarring since 2002. The visual acuity in his right 
eye is 20/400 and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 
2010, his optometrist noted, ``In my professional opinion, Mr.

[[Page 9858]]

Cox should have no difficulty performing his duties while driving a 
commercial vehicle and should continue driving as he has previously.'' 
Mr. Cox reported that he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, 
accumulating 262,500 miles and tractor-trailer combinations for 19\1/2\ 
years accumulating 1.7 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Tennessee. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and 
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Wesley M. Creamer

    Mr. Creamer, 46, has had a nuclear cataract in his left eye due to 
an injury sustained at age 9. The best corrected visual acuity in his 
right eye is 20/20 and in his left eye, 20/400. Following an 
examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, ``I believe he has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commerical vehicle.'' Mr. Creamer reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 15\1/2\ years, accumulating 77,500 miles and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 18 years, accumulating 270,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from New Mexico. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and two convictions for speeding in a CMV. In the first 
incidence, he exceeded the speed limit by 10 miles per hour (MPH) and 
in the second incidence, he exceeded the speed limit by 8 MPH.

Gerald S. Dennis

    Mr. Dennis, 51, has had strabismic amblyopia in his right eye since 
birth. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/200 and 
in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2010, his 
optometrist noted, ``In my medical opinion, Gerald Dennis, has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Dennis reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 4 years, accumulating 110,000 miles. He holds a Class D 
operator's license from Iowa. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Cleveland E. Edwards

    Mr. Edwards, 39, has had refractive amblyopia in his left eye since 
birth. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and 
in his left eye, 20/800. Following an examination in 2010, his 
optometrist noted, ``I certify that Cleveland Edwards has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Edwards reported that he has driven straight trucks for 
3 years, accumulating 93,504 miles and tractor-trailer combinations for 
6 months, accumulating 24,600 miles. He holds a Class D operator's 
license from Kentucky. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Thomas Grandfield

    Mr. Grandfield, 65, has had amblyopia in his right eye since 
childhood. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/200 
and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2010, his 
ophthalmologist noted, ``I certify in my medical opinion, that Thomas 
Grandfield has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required 
to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Grandfield reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 37 years, accumulating 270,100 miles. He 
holds a Class D operator's license from Massachusetts. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

Bruce J. Greil

    Mr. Greil, 55, has had decreased vision in his right eye since 1990 
due to coate's disease and a retinal detachment. The best corrected 
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/400 and in his left eye, 20/20. 
Following an examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, ``Bruce's 
vision is stable and his vision is adequate to perform all required 
driving tasks associated with a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Greil 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 34 years, accumulating 
1.6 million miles. He holds a Class B CDL from Wisconsin. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

Johnnie L. Hall

    Mr. Hall, 51, has myopic degeneration and moderate amblyopia in his 
left eye since childhood. The best corrected visual acuity in his right 
eye is 20/25 and in his left eye, 20/100. Following an examination in 
2010, his opthalmologist noted, ``In my medical opinion, he should 
continue to drive commercial vehicles.'' Mr. Hall reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 25 years, accumulating 650,000 miles and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 25 years, accumulating 1.4 million 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Maryland. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Jerry L. Hofer

    Mr. Hofer, 58, has had a prosthetic left eye due to an eye injury 
sustained at age 5. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye 
is 20/15. Following an examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, 
``Mr. Hofer's vision has been stable for many years and I believe he 
has adequate vision to drive and operate a commerical vehicle safely.'' 
Mr. Hofer reported that he has driven buses for 4.9 years, accumulating 
31,850 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from New Mexico. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

Charles R. Hoeppner

    Mr. Hoeppner, 64, has had refractive amblyopia in his right eye 
since childhood. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 
20/200 and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2010, 
his optometrist noted, ``According to the guidelines set by the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, this patient has sufficient vision to perform the 
driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' He holds a 
Class C operator's license from Maryland. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Lester H. Killingsworth

    Mr. Killingsworth, 57, has had ambloypia in his left eye since 
birth. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and 
in his left eye, 20/200. Following an examination in 2010, his 
optometrist noted, ``Therefore, in my medical opinion, I certify that 
Mr. Killingsworth has sufficient vision to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Killingsworth reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 4\1/2\ years, accumulating 540,000 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.

Joseph F. Lopez, III

    Mr. Lopez, 53, has had a prosthetic right eye since childhood. The 
best corrected visual acuity in his left eye is 20/20. Following an 
examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, ``In my opinion, Joseph 
Lopez has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Lopez reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 3 years, accumulating 24,000 miles. He holds a 
Class D operator's license from Illinois. His driving record for the 
last 3 years

[[Page 9859]]

shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Thomas E. Moore

    Mr. Moore, 56, has had amblyopia in his right eye since childhood. 
The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is light perception 
and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2010, his 
optometrist noted, ``Thomas has apparently operated a commercial 
vehicle for many years and is, in my opinion, capable of continuing 
this type of work.'' Mr. Moore reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 23 years, accumulating 230,000 miles. He holds a Class C 
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.

John F. Murphy

    Mr. Murphy, 51, has had strabismic amblyopia in his right eye since 
birth. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is hand motion 
vision and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2010, 
his optometrist noted, ``I feel that Mr. Murphy has stable strabismic 
amblyopia OD that he has had since childbirth. I feel that he has 
vision to operate a commercial vehicle''. Mr. Murphy reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 12 years, accumulating 624,000 miles and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 15 years accumulating 1.6 million 
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.

Michael O. Regentik

    Mr. Regentik, 56, has had central loss of vision in his right eye 
due to an eye injury that occurred in 1985. The best corrected visual 
acuity in his right eye is 20/400 and in his left eye, 20/25. Following 
an examination in 2010, his opthamologist noted, ``I am currently 
obtaining a copy of his previous records to compare against my exam; 
however, it appears that Mr. Regentik has been driving commerical 
vehicles for many years with this level of vision. I believe that his 
vision is sufficient to continue to do so.'' Mr. Regentik reported that 
he has driven straight trucks for 27 years, accumulating 1.1 million 
miles and tractor-trailer combinations for 5 years accumulating 50,000 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Michigan. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Larry D. Robinson

    Mr. Robinson, 40, has had ambloypia in his left eye since birth. 
The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and in his 
left eye, 20/400. Following an examination in 2010, his optometrist 
noted, ``It is my medical opinion that Larry Robinson has sufficient 
vision to perform driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Robinson reported that he has driven straight trucks 12 
years, accumulating 240,000 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from 
Missouri. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and 
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

David Serrano

    Mr. Serrano, 46, 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/
200. Following an examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, ``In my 
medical opinion, Mr. Serrano has sufficient vision to perform the 
driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Serrano 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 2 years, accumulating 
6,000 miles and tractor-trailer combinations for 6 years accumulating 
36,000 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.

Bill J. Thierolf

    Mr. Thierolf, 55, has had loss of vision in his left eye due to 
retinal detachment since 1981. The visual acuity in his right eye is 
20/20 and in his left eye, count-finger vision. Following an 
examination in 2010, his optometrist noted, ``Mr. Thierolf has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Thierolf reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 26 years, accumulating 520,000 miles and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 20 years accumulating 600,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Nebraska. His driving record for the last 3 years shows one 
crash, which he was not cited for, and no convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV.

Edward Timpson

    Mr. Timpson, 76, has had amblyopia in his right eye since birth. 
The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is 20/200 and in his 
left eye, 20/25. Following an examination in 2010, his optometrist 
noted, ``I certify in my medical opinion that Mr. Timpson has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Timpson reported that he has driven tractor-
trailer combinations for 58 years accumulating 522,000 miles. He holds 
a Class 10 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.

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. The Agency will consider all comments 
received before the close of business March 24, 2011. Comments will be 
available for examination in the docket at the location listed under 
the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The Agency will file comments 
received after the comment closing date in the public docket, and will 
consider them to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, 
FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public docket, relevant 
information that becomes available after the comment closing date. 
Interested persons should monitor the public docket for new material.

    Issued on: February 15, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-3905 Filed 2-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P