Document ID: FMCSA-2013-0016-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications: Diabetes Mellitus
Posted Date: 2013-04-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22599-22602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08881]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA- 2013-0016]

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption from the diabetes mellitus 
requirement; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 16 individuals 
for exemption 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 CMVs in interstate commerce.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 16, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0016 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 Federal Docket Management System (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 December 
29, 2010 (75 FR 82132), or you may visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-12-29/pdf/2010-32876.pdf.

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

[[Page 22600]]

level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that 
would be achieved absent such exemption.'' The statute also allows the 
Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 16 
individuals listed in this notice have recently requested such 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

Joseph J. Black

    Mr. Black, 60, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Black understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Black meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him 
in 2013 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Donald D. Boomgaarn

    Mr. Boomgaarn, 46, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Boomgaarn understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely.
    Mr. Boomgaarn meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 
CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2012 and certified 
that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Nebraska.

Hilary C. Clarke

    Mr. Clarke, 43, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Clarke understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Clarke meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 
2013 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds 
a Class C operator's license from North Carolina.

Roger S. Davis

    Mr. Davis, 55, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Davis understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Davis meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2013 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Edgar I. Duque

    Mr. Duque, 49, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Duque understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Duque meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2013 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from New 
York.

Kevin D. Gentes

    Mr. Gentes, 24, has had ITDM since 1996. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Gentes understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Gentes meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 
2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds 
a Class C operator's license from Illinois.

Roger J. Huffsmith

    Mr. Huffsmith, 48, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Huffsmith understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Huffsmith meets the 
vision requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined 
him in 2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. 
He holds a Class A CDL from Washington.

Joel M. Jock

    Mr. Jock, 51, has had ITDM since 2003. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 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 12 months and no recurrent (2 or 
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His 
endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Jock understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Jock meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined

[[Page 22601]]

him in 2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. 
He holds an operator's license from Virginia.

James S. Marunczak

    Mr. Marunczak, 40, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2013 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Marunczak understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely.
    Mr. Marunczak meets the vision requirements of 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2012 and certified that 
he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Pennsylvania.

William A. Nearhood

    Mr. Nearhood, 52, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Nearhood understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Nearhood meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2012 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Charles E. Peck

    Mr. Peck, 66, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 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 12 months and no recurrent (2 or 
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His 
endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Peck understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Peck meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined 
him in 2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. 
He holds a Class A CDL from Alabama.

Joseph Sawicki, III

    Mr. Sawicki, 25, has had ITDM since 1997. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Sawicki understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Sawicki meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2012 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class DL operator's license from 
New York.

Michael Steinman

    Mr. Steinman, 59, has had ITDM since 2012. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Steinman understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Steinman meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2013 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Pennsylvania.

Christopher T. Thieneman

    Mr. Thieneman, 25, has had ITDM since 2000. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Thieneman understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely.
    Mr. Thieneman meets the vision requirements of 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2012 and certified 
that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D 
operator's license from Kentucky.

Matthew A. Waller

    Mr. Waller, 53, has had ITDM since 1988. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Waller understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Waller meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2012 and certified that he has stable 
non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator's license 
from Washington.

Lucas P. Walth

    Mr. Walth, 27, has had ITDM since 2003. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2012 and certified that he has had no severe 
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 12 months and no 
recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Walth understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Walth meets the vision 
requirements of 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 
2012 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds 
a Class D operator's license from North Dakota.

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.

[[Page 22602]]

    FMCSA notes that section 4129 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible 
and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users 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 the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 31305).
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    \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.
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    Section 4129 requires: (1) Elimination of the requirement for 3 
years of experience operating CMVs while being treated with insulin; 
and (2) 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 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 USC. 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.
    The 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: April 9, 2013.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-08881 Filed 4-15-13; 8:45 am]
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