Document ID: FMCSA-2013-0174-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Exemption Applications; Qualification of Drivers: Vision
Posted Date: 2014-01-10T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1908-1912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00231]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0174]

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 33 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. 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 February 10, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0174 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 DOT's Privacy Act Statement for the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) published in the Federal Register on January 
17, 2008 (73 FR 3316).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, 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.

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 33 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

Trawn L. Andrews

    Mr. Andrews, age 32, has had amblyopia in his right eye since 
birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/50, and in his left 
eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, 
``I certify that, in my medical opinion, this patient has sufficient 
vision to operate a commercial motor vehicle.'' Mr. Andrews reported 
that he has driven straight trucks for 10 years, accumulating 325,000 
miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 10 years, accumulating 
325,000 miles. He holds a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) 
from North Carolina. 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.

Jeffery A. Benoit

    Mr. Benoit, 30, has had amblyopia in his left eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in his left eye, 20/
150. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, ``In my 
optometric opinion, Jeffrey [sic] Benoit has sufficient vision to 
operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Benoit reported that he has driven 
tractor-trailer combinations for 7 years, accumulating 147,000 miles. 
He holds a Class A CDL from Vermont. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

Norvan D. Brown

    Mr. Brown, 61, has a prosthetic left eye due to a traumatic 
incident in 2010. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in 
his left eye, no light

[[Page 1909]]

perception. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, 
``Mr. Brown is a long time self employed [sic] contractor who depends 
on his CDL for his livelihood. He has vast experience hauling his 
equipment. I believe with this experience and the positive way he has 
adapted to his monocular status, he should be granted a CDL or at least 
given the opportunity to drive with an instructor to further assess his 
ability.'' Mr. Brown reported that he has driven straight trucks for 44 
years, accumulating 1.32 million miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 40 years, accumulating 600,000 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.

Thomas A. Busacca, Jr.

    Mr. Busacca, 48, has had macular atrophy in his left eye since 
birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left 
eye, counting fingers. Following an examination in 2013, his 
optometrist noted, ``I am of the opinion that Mr. Busacca has 
sufficient vision to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Busacca 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 30 years, accumulating 
1.5 million miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 30 years, 
accumulating 1.5 million 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.

James A. Champion

    Mr. Champion, 56, has had anterior ischemic optic neuropathy 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 2013, his 
optometrist noted, ``I believe that James has sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks that are required of him while operating a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Champion reported that he has driven tractor-
trailer combinations for 11.5 years, accumulating 747,500 miles. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Washington. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

James C. Colbert

    Mr. Colbert, 63, has complete loss of vision in his left eye due to 
a traumatic incident during childhood. The visual acuity in his right 
eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, no light perception. Following an 
examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist noted, ``It is my opinion that 
Mr. Colbert has no ocular disease which should preclude him from 
obtaining a commercial driver's license. He essentially is a monocular 
patient, and has been one since childhood. He has apparently adapted 
quite well to being monocular, and according to him has a 25 year 
history as a driver for the City of Tallahassee without ever having an 
accident.'' Mr. Colbert reported that he has driven buses for 23 years, 
accumulating 3.3 million miles. He holds a Class B CDL from Florida. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Bobby R. Cox

    Mr. Cox, 62, has had a corneal transplant in his left eye since 
2001. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in his left eye, 
20/200. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, 
``Approximately 12 years ago Mr. Cox had a successful corneal 
transplant in his left eye . . . I feel Mr. Cox is capable of 
continuing to safely drive a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Cox reported 
that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 30 years, 
accumulating 3,000,000 miles. He holds a Class AM CDL from Tennessee. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows one crash, for which he 
was cited, and two convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Jackie K. Curlin

    Mr. Curlin, 50, has had angle recession glaucoma in his left eye 
since 2000. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his 
left eye, 20/70. Following an examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist 
noted, ``I do feel that Mr. Curlin has adequate and sufficient vision 
to drive a commercial vehicle, however, as previously stated, he does 
have decreased vision in the left eye from the previous trauma. Nothing 
can be done to improve this vision, but under binocular conditions, I 
feel he has sufficient vision to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. 
Curlin reported that he has driven straight trucks for 13 years, 
accumulating 195,000 miles. He holds a Class DMB CDL from Kentucky. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

Justin W. Demarchi

    Mr. Demarchi, 36, has had amblyopia and small angle esotropia in 
his left eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/
20, and in his left eye, 20/60. Following an examination in 2013, his 
optometrist noted, ``In my opinion, Justin has sufficient visual 
acuity, visual fields, and color vision to perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Demarchi reported that 
he has driven straight trucks for 19 years, accumulating 228,000 miles, 
and tractor-trailer combinations for 19 years, accumulating 9,500 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Gary Goostree

    Mr. Goostree, 40, has had a macular scar in his right eye since 
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/400, and in his 
left eye, 20/15. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist 
noted, ``Gary Goostree has sufficient vision to perform the driving 
tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Goostree reported 
that he has driven straight trucks for 18 years, accumulating 54,000 
miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 18 years, accumulating 
54,000. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Jimmey C. Harris

    Mr. Harris, 61, has had optic atrophy in his right eye since 1999. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/400, and in his left eye, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, ``In my 
medical opinion, Mr. Harris has sufficient binocular vision to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle based on the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) Vision- 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10).'' Mr. Harris reported that he has driven tractor-trailer 
combinations for 6 years, accumulating 660,000 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.

David G. Henry

    Mr. Henry, 50, has had dense amblyopia in his right eye since 
birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/150, and in his left 
eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist 
noted, ``In my opinion he should be able to drive commercial vehicle 
with glasses without difficulty as long as nothing were to hinder his 
only good eye.'' Mr. Henry reported that he has driven straight trucks 
for 10 years, accumulating 260,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 1 year, accumulating 15,000 miles. He holds a Class A 
CDL from Texas. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no

[[Page 1910]]

crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Rogelio C. Hernandez

    Mr. Hernandez, 46, has had optic pit maculopathy in his right eye 
since 2008. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/126, and in his 
left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist 
noted, ``In my medical opinion, patient has sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Hernandez reported that he has driven straight trucks for 12 years, 
accumulating 420,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 12 
years, accumulating 420,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from 
California. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes 
and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Michael J. Hoskins

    Mr. Hoskins, 53, has a prosthetic right eye due to a traumatic 
incident in 1993. The visual acuity in his right eye is no light 
perception, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 
2013, his optometrist noted that, in his medical opinion, Mr. Hoskins 
has sufficient vision to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Mr. 
Hoskins reported that he has driven straight trucks for 35 years, 
accumulating 183,750 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 30 
years, accumulating 82,500 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Kansas. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Zion Irizarry

    Mr. Irizarry, 64, has complete loss of vision in his right eye due 
to a traumatic incident during childhood. The visual acuity in his 
right eye is light perception, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an 
examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, ``That being said, the 
patient has sufficient vision in his left eye to perform the driving 
tasks required for operation of a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Irizarry 
reported that he has driven buses for 6 years, accumulating 108,000 
miles. He holds a Class C CDL from Nevada. 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 traffic control light.

Mohamed H. Issak

    Mr. Issak, 24, 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/
60. Following an examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist noted, ``He 
has had time to adjust to this visual deficiency, thus in my medical 
opinion, he has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required 
to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Issak reported that he has 
driven buses for 3 years, accumulating 58,500 miles. He holds a Class A 
CDL from Kansas. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Craig B. Jacques

    Mr. Jacques, 62, has had macular degeneration in his right eye 
since 2008. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/200, and in his 
left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist 
noted, ``As the patient has been functioning well, it is my medical 
opinion that he has sufficient vision to continue to perform his 
current driving tasks and operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Jacques 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 13 years, accumulating 
195,000 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.

William D. Jackson

    Mr. Jackson, 58, has had amblyopia in his right eye since 
childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/300, and in his 
left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist 
noted, ``I verify that William Jackson has sufficient vision to drive 
commercial vehicles safely.'' Mr. Jackson reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 38 years, accumulating 380,000 miles, and tractor-
trailer combinations for 33 years, accumulating 792,000 miles. He holds 
a Class A CDL from Minnesota. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Juan J. Luna

    Mr. Luna, 45, 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/
200. Following an examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist noted, 
``Amblyopia . . . stable . . . good color vision . . . may operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Luna reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 5 years, accumulating 150,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 5 years, accumulating 275,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from California. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Robert Mollicone

    Mr. Mollicone, 43, has had a retinal detachment in his left eye 
since 2000. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in his 
left eye, 20/100. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist 
noted, ``I certify that Mr. Mollicone's [sic] has sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Mollicone reported that he has driven straight trucks for 5 years, 
accumulating 100,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 23 
years, accumulating 598,000 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.

Christopher D. Moore

    Mr. Moore, 46, has had amblyopia in his left eye since birth. The 
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in his left eye, 20/200. 
Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, ``Because his 
poor vision in the left eye has been lifelong, he has compensated well 
for it and in my opinion it should not affect his ability to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Moore 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 21 years, accumulating 
1.47 million miles. He holds a Class B CDL from North Carolina. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

Elmore Nicholson, Jr.

    Mr. Nicholson, 35, has had corneal neovascularization in his left 
eye since birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and in his 
left eye, 20/50. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist 
noted, ``In my medical opinion he has sufficient vision to perform the 
driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Nicholson 
reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 8 years, 
accumulating 832,000 miles. He holds an operator's license from 
Alabama. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and 
no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Michael Pace

    Mr. Pace, 47, has a macular scar in his right eye due to a 
traumatic injury during childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye 
is 20/80, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, 
his optometrist noted, ``Mr. Pace has binocular visual acuity of 20/20. 
His right eye uncorrected visual acuity is 20/200 and left eye is 20/20 
which meets the documented vision

[[Page 1911]]

requirements stating he must have distant binocular acuity of at least 
20/40 . . . Based on these findings he should meet all the requirements 
necessary to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Pace reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 3 years, accumulating 150,000 miles, 
tractor-trailer combinations for 7 years, accumulating 3.5 million 
miles, and buses for 3 years, accumulating 45,000. 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.

Ernest S. Parsons, Jr.

    Mr. Parsons, 69, has had strabismic amblyopia in his right eye 
since birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/100, and in his 
left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist 
noted, ``I certify that Mr. Parsons [sic] vision is sufficient to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial motor 
vehicle.'' Mr. Parsons reported that he has driven straight trucks for 
39 years, accumulating 975,000 miles, tractor-trailer combinations for 
25 years, accumulating 750,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New 
York. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

James C. Paschal, Jr.

    Mr. Paschal, 56, has had a congenital cataract in his left eye 
since birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his 
left eye, hand motion. Following an examination in 2013, his 
optometrist noted, ``Mr. Paschal has sufficient vision to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Paschal reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 36 years, accumulating 54,000 miles. He holds an operator's 
license from Georgia. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Lee E. Perry

    Mr. Perry, 65, has had a macular hole in his left eye since 1993. 
The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/
200. Following an examination in 2013, his ophthalmologist noted, ``In 
my medical opinion, Mr. Perry has sufficient vision to operate any sort 
of commercial vehicle and perform all necessary driving tasks.'' Mr. 
Perry reported that he has driven straight trucks for 1 year, 
accumulating 19,000 miles, and buses for 13 years, accumulating 338,000 
miles. He holds a Class BM CDL from Alabama. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Harold D. Pressley

    Mr. Pressley, 49, has had complete loss of vision in his left eye 
since birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/15, and in his 
left eye, no light perception. Following an examination in 2013, his 
optometrist noted, ``VA OD 20/15 . . . VA OS No Light Perception . . . 
congenital anomaly since birth due to hx: condition is stable . . . Pt 
[sic] is able to operate a commercial vehicle according to VA's 
[sic].'' Mr. Pressley reported that he has driven straight trucks for 
20 years, accumulating 1.5 million miles, buses for 12 years, 
accumulating 240,000 miles. He holds a Class BM CDL from Texas. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

Thomas H. Randall

    Mr. Randall, 52, has had microphthalmia, amblyopia, and aphakia in 
his right eye since childhood. The visual acuity in his right eye is 
hand motion, and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 
2013, his optometrist noted, ``Mr. Randall has a longstanding 
congenital deficiency in his right eye which he is well adapted to and 
should have no problem operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Randall 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 34 years, accumulating 
340,000 miles, and buses for 2 years, accumulating 30,000 miles. He 
holds an operator's license from Minnesota. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

David T. Rueckert

    Mr. Rueckert, 53, has had complete loss of vision in his right eye 
since birth. The visual acuity in his right eye is no light perception, 
and in his left eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, his 
optometrist noted that Mr. Rueckert does not have any visual defect or 
visual field loss that would affect the safe operation of a commercial 
motor vehicle. Mr. Rueckert reported that he has driven straight trucks 
for 26 years, accumulating 780,000 miles. He holds an operator's 
license from Washington. His driving record for the last 3 years shows 
no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Jason C. Sadler

    Mr. Sadler, 34, has had amblyopia in his left eye since birth. The 
visual acuity in his right eye is 20/40, and in his left eye, 20/200. 
Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, ``It is my 
opinion that he has sufficient vision to perform the commercial vehicle 
driving tasks.'' Mr. Sadler reported that he has driven straight trucks 
for 11 years, accumulating 1.14 million miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 11 years, accumulating 1.14 million miles. He holds a 
Class A CDL from Kentucky. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

Robert Schick

    Mr. Schick, 51, has a superior altitudinal defect in his left eye 
due to a traumatic incident in 1981. The visual acuity in his right eye 
is 20/20, and in his left eye, 20/200. Following an examination in 
2013, his ophthalmologist noted, ``Patient has sufficient vision to 
drive a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Schick reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 29 years, accumulating 754,000 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.

Michael O. Thomas

    Mr. Thomas, 43, 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/
200. Following an examination in 2013, his optometrist noted, ``In my 
opinion, Mr. Thomas has sufficient vision to perform driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Thomas reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 9 years, accumulating 234,000 miles, and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 9 years, accumulating 234,000 miles. 
He holds a Class A CDL from North Carolina. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no crashes and no convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV.

Danielle Wilkins

    Ms. Wilkins, 45, has had aphakia in her right eye since childhood. 
The visual acuity in her right eye is counting fingers, and in her left 
eye, 20/20. Following an examination in 2013, her optometrist noted, 
``It is found that Danielle has 150 degrees of horizontal vision in her 
left eye and 150 degrees of horizontal vision in her right eye. In my 
medical opinion, Danielle has the ability to drive a commercial 
vehicle.'' Ms. Wilkins reported that she has driven straight trucks for 
16 years, accumulating 80,000 miles. She holds an operator's license 
from California. Her driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
crashes and no convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

[[Page 1912]]

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 February 10, 2014. 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.

Submitting Comments

    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 http://www.regulations.gov and 
in the search box insert the docket number FMCSA-2013-0174 and click 
the search button. When the new screen appears, click on the blue 
``Comment Now!'' button on the right hand side of the page. On the new 
page, enter information required including the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. 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.
    We will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your 
comments. FMCSA may issue a final rule at any time after the close of 
the comment period.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this 
preamble, To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert the docket number 
FMCSA-2013-0174 and click ``Search.'' Next, click ``Open Docket 
Folder'' and you will find all documents and comments related to the 
proposed rulemaking.

    Issued On: December 30, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014-00231 Filed 1-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P