Document ID: FMCSA-2003-14223-0068
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications: Vision
Posted Date: 2021-05-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 91 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26250-26251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10096]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA- FMCSA-2003-14223; FMCSA-2005-20027; FMCSA-2009-0054; 
FMCSA-2010-0114; FMCSA-2010-0385; FMCSA-2011-0057; FMCSA-2012-0338; 
FMCSA-2013-0021; FMCSA-2013-0022; FMCSA-2013-0023; FMCSA-2014-0010; 
FMCSA-2014-0302; FMCSA-2016-0028; FMCSA-2016-0206; FMCSA-2019-0008]

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 17 
individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to 
operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision 
requirement in one eye.

DATES: Each group of renewed exemptions are applicable on the dates 
stated in the discussions below and will expire on the dates provided 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, 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., 
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have 
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366-9826.

[[Page 26251]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

A. Viewing Comments

    To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 
number, FMCSA-2003-14223, FMCSA-2005-20027, FMCSA-2009-0054, FMCSA-
2010-0114, FMCSA-2010-0385, FMCSA-2011-0057, FMCSA-2012-0338, FMCSA-
2013-0021, FMCSA-2013-0022, FMCSA-2013-0023, FMCSA-2014-0010, FMCSA-
2014-0302, FMCSA-2016-0028, FMCSA-2016-0206, FMCSA-2019-0008 in the 
keyword box, and click ``Search.'' Next, sort the results by ``Posted 
(Newer-Older),'' choose the first notice listed, and click ``Browse 
Comments.'' If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the 
docket online by visiting Dockets Operations in Room W12-140 on the 
ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to 
help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-9826 before visiting 
Dockets Operations.

B. 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.transportation.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On March 25, 2021, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision 
to renew exemptions for 17 individuals from the vision requirement in 
49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and 
requested comments from the public (86 FR 16018). The public comment 
period ended on April 26, 2021, and no comments were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and 
determined that renewing these exemptions would achieve a level of 
safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved 
by complying with the current regulation Sec.  391.41(b)(10).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding vision 
found in Sec.  391.41(b)(10) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive a CMV if that person has distant visual acuity of at 
least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual 
acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with 
corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of a least 20/40 (Snellen) 
in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at 
least 70[deg] in the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability 
to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing red, 
green, and amber.

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding.

IV. Conclusion

    Based on its evaluation of the 17 renewal exemption applications 
and comments received, FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt the 
following drivers from the vision requirement in Sec.  391.41(b)(10).
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following 
groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of May and 
are discussed below. As of May 7, 2021, and in accordance with 49 
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following 15 individuals have 
satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the 
vision requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers 68 FR 
10301, 68 FR 19596, 70 FR 2701, 70 FR 16886, 70 FR 16887, 72 FR 11425, 
72 FR 18726, 74 FR 8842, 74 FR 11988, 74 FR 11991, 74 FR 21427, 75 FR 
34209, 75 FR 47886, 75 FR 77942, 76 FR 5425, 76 FR 12216, 76 FR 17483, 
76 FR 21796, 77 FR 52388, 77 FR 74731, 78 FR 10251, 78 FR 12811, 78 FR 
12815, 78 FR 14405, 78 FR 14410, 78 FR 18667, 78 FR 20379, 78 FR 22596, 
78 FR 22602, 78 FR 24296, 79 FR 51643, 79 FR 52388, 79 FR 64001, 80 FR 
3723, 80 FR 12248, 80 FR 12251, 80 FR 12254, 80 FR 14220, 80 FR 15859, 
80 FR 16500, 80 FR 16502, 80 FR 16509, 80 FR 29152, 81 FR 39320, 81 FR 
60115, 81 FR 66720, 81 FR 71173, 81 FR 72642, 81 FR 80161, 81 FR 96165, 
82 FR 13043, 82 FR 15277, 82 FR 18818, 82 FR 18949, 82 FR 23712, 83 FR 
34661, 83 FR 56902, 84 FR 2311, 84 FR 2326, 84 FR 12665, 84 FR 16320, 
84 FR 21401):

Michael L. Bergman (KS)
Keith E. Breeding (IN)
Lee A. Clason (NE)
Ryan E. Cox (WI)
Michael P. Curtin (IL)
David M. Field (NH)
Daryl G. Gibson (FL)
Terry R. Hunt (FL)
Oscar Juarez (ID)
Jose M. Limon-Alvarado (WA)
Eugene R. Lydick (VA)
Steve A. Reece (TN)
Gale L. Smith (PA)
Christopher M. Vincent (NC)
Steven M. Vujicic (IL)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2003-14223, 
FMCSA-2005-20027, FMCSA-2009-0054, FMCSA-2010-0114, FMCSA-2010-0385, 
FMCSA-2012-0338, FMCSA-2013-0021, FMCSA-2013-0022, FMCSA-2013-0023, 
FMCSA-2014-0010, FMCSA-2014-0302, FMCSA-2016-0028, and FMCSA-2016-0206. 
Their exemptions are applicable as of May 7, 2021, and will expire on 
May 7, 2023.
    As of May 19, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b), James O. Cook (GA) has satisfied the renewal conditions for 
obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in the FMCSRs for 
interstate CMV drivers (76 FR 18824, 76 FR 29024, 79 FR 24298, 80 FR 
20558, 82 FR 18949, 84 FR 12665).
    This driver was included in docket number FMCSA-2011-0057. The 
exemption is applicable as of May 19, 2021, and will expire on May 19, 
2023.
    As of May 21, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b), Samuel Sanchez (DE) has satisfied the renewal conditions for 
obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in the FMCSRs for 
interstate CMV drivers (84 FR 16333, 84 FR 27688).
    This driver was included in docket number FMCSA-2019-0008. The 
exemption is applicable as of May 21, 2021, and will expire on May 21, 
2023.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid 
for 2 years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 
The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person 
fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the 
exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained 
prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not 
be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b).

Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2021-10096 Filed 5-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P