Document ID: FMCSA-2009-0067-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications: Diabetes
Posted Date: 2009-04-06T04:00Z

[Federal Register: April 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 64)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15578-15583]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap09-150]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket ID FMCSA-2009-0067]

 
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

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

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 38 individuals 
for exemptions 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 commercial motor vehicles in 
interstate commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 6, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-2009-0067 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.

Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket ID for this 
Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included 
in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
    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://Docketinfo.dot.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 
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 statutes also allow the 
Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 38 
individuals listed in this notice have recently requested an exemption 
from the diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b) (3), which applies to 
drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Agency will 
evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether 
granting the exemption will achieve the required level of safety 
mandated by the statutes.

Qualifications of Applicants

Paul Anaya

    Mr. Anaya, age 54, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Anaya meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2009

[[Page 15579]]

and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a 
Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) from Colorado.

William C. Arrington

    Mr. Arrington, 51, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Arrington meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Maryland.

Gregory W. Arsenault

    Mr. Arsenault, 61, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Arsenault meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Connecticut.

Raymond Barajas

    Mr. Barajas, 46, 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Barajas meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Kansas.

Gary R. Butts

    Mr. Butts, 36, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Butts 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 New York.

Buck H. Bowers

    Mr. Bowers, 35, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Bowers meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Ohio.

Darin L. Carpenter

    Mr. Carpenter, 42, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Carpenter meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Montana.

William N. Carpenter

    Mr. Carpenter, 30, 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Carpenter 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 D operator's license from 
Kentucky.

James F. Carroll

    Mr. Carroll, 52, has had ITDM since 2000. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Carroll meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from Pennsylvania.

Jeffrey W. Cotner

    Mr. Cotner, 46, has had ITDM since 1996. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Cotner meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Oregon.

Randy J. Cool

    Mr. Cool, 52, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, 
and is able to drive a CMV

[[Page 15580]]

safely. Mr. Cool meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 
CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified 
that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Maryland.

Boyd L. Croshaw

    Mr. Croshaw, 56, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Croshaw meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Utah.

William Frantz

    Mr. Frantz, 47, has had ITDM since 1991. 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Frantz 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 
California.

Steven Garcia

    Mr. Garcia, 63, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Garcia meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from New Mexico.

Carl A. George

    Mr. George, 56, has had ITDM since 1999. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. George meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license from Virginia.

James E. Gordon, Jr.

    Mr. Gordon, 47, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Gordon 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 diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Georgia.

Scott D. Gottheld

    Mr. Gottheld, 38, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Gottheld meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from 
Pennsylvania.

Juan A. Hartwell

    Mr. Hartwell, 46, 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hartwell meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from 
Connecticut.

Cole G. Hoff

    Mr. Hoff, 26, has had ITDM since 1992. 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, 
and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hoff meets the requirements of 
the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined 
him in 2008 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. 
He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa.

David A. Holzbach

    Mr. Holzbach, 40, has had ITDM since 1975. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Holzbach 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 diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
South Carolina.

Gary A. Hopkins

    Mr. Hopkins, 62, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using

[[Page 15581]]

insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Hopkins meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A3 CDL from South Dakota, which 
allows him to operate a combination vehicle greater than 26,000 lbs. 
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and with a trailer greater than 
10,000 lbs. GVWR.

Joseph T. Jackson

    Mr. Jackson, 44, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Jackson 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 A CDL from 
Connecticut.

Donald A. Lambrecht

    Mr. Lambrecht, 46, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Lambrecht meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
North Carolina.

William M. Liebert

    Mr. Liebert, 50, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Liebert meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Nevada.

Howard A. McCowan

    Mr. McCowan, 46, has had ITDM since 2003. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. McCowan meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Minnesota.

William J. Mlejnek

    Mr. Mlejnek, 34, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Mlejnek meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Wisconsin.

John F. Naughton

    Mr. Naughton, 52, has had ITDM since 2004. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Naughton 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 B CDL from Massachusetts.

Curtis J. Panther

    Mr. Panther, 38, has had ITDM since 2005. 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Panther 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 D operator's license from 
Minnesota.

Eric S. Ritter

    Mr. Ritter, 30, has had ITDM since 1982. 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Ritter 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 diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from 
California.

Gary L. Robinson

    Mr. Robinson, 49, has had ITDM since 2000. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Robinson meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Tennessee.

Todd J. Schoeller

    Mr. Schoeller, 43, has had ITDM since 1990. His endocrinologist 
examined him

[[Page 15582]]

in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, 
and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Schoeller meets the requirements 
of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2008 and certified that he has nonproliferative stable 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Wisconsin.

Chad W. Schumaker

    Mr. Schumaker, 36, has had ITDM since 1989. 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Schumaker 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 
Pennsylvania.

Kevin J. Sears

    Mr. Sears, 48, has had ITDM since 1964. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Sears meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's 
license from Illinois.

David W. Slininger

    Mr. Slininger, 35, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Slininger meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Minnesota.

Peter A. Storm

    Mr. Storm, 31, has had ITDM since 2006. 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Storm 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 D chauffeur's license from 
Louisiana.

Robert J. Streets

    Mr. Streets, 62, has had ITDM since 2005. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Streets meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2008 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa.

Don A. Wisnosky

    Mr. Wisnosky, 52, has had ITDM since 1982. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Wisnosky meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he has stable 
non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's 
license from Wisconsin.

Patrick D. Yasten

    Mr. Yasten, 39, has had ITDM since 1979. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2008 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; and has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Yasten meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2008 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from 
Nebraska.

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 (SAFETEA-
LU) 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 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 31305).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 4129 requires: (1) The elimination of the requirement for 
three years of experience operating CMVs while being treated with 
insulin; and (2) the 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

[[Page 15583]]

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. 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: March 31, 2009.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E9-7636 Filed 4-3-09; 8:45 am]