Document ID: FMCSA-1999-6480-0133
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications: Vision
Posted Date: 2021-03-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 56 (Thursday, March 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16016-16018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06148]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-1999-6480; FMCSA-2000-7006; FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-
2000-8398; FMCSA-2001-10578; FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-2002-13411; FMCSA-
2004-19477; FMCSA-2005-23238; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2006-26066; 
FMCSA-2008-0021; FMCSA-2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0340; FMCSA-2009-0011; 
FMCSA-2009-0303; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0354; FMCSA-2010-0385; 
FMCSA-2011-0276; FMCSA-2011-0379; FMCSA-2012-0161; FMCSA-2012-0339; 
FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0002; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0006; 
FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0299; FMCSA-2014-0300; FMCSA-2014-0301; 
FMCSA-2016-0027; FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-0210; 
FMCSA-2016-0212; FMCSA-2018-0207; FMCSA-2018-0209]

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 53 
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 were 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 16017]]

I. Public Participation

A. Viewing Comments

    To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 
number, FMCSA-1999-6480, FMCSA-2000-7006, FMCSA-2000-7363, FMCSA-2000-
8398, FMCSA-2001-10578, FMCSA-2002-12294, FMCSA-2002-13411, FMCSA-2004-
19477, FMCSA-2005-23238, FMCSA-2006-24783, FMCSA-2006-26066, FMCSA- 
2008-0021, FMCSA-2008-0266, FMCSA-2008-0340, FMCSA-2009-0011, FMCSA-
2009-0303, FMCSA-2010-0187, FMCSA-2010-0354, FMCSA-2010-0385, FMCSA-
2011-0276, FMCSA-2011-0379, FMCSA-2012-0161, FMCSA-2012-0339, FMCSA-
2013-0174, FMCSA-2014-0002, FMCSA-2014-0003, FMCSA-2014-0006, FMCSA-
2014-0007, FMCSA-2014-0299, FMCSA-2014-0300, FMCSA-2014-0301, FMCSA-
2016-0027, FMCSA-2016-0031, FMCSA-2016-0033, FMCSA-2016-0210, FMCSA-
2016-0212, FMCSA-2018-0207, or FMCSA-2018-0209 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 February 1, 2021, FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for 53 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 7769). The 
public comment period ended on March 3, 2021, and two 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 two comments in this proceeding. An anonymous 
individual submitted a comment stating that commercial drivers should 
be held to stricter driving requirements, including acceptable vision 
in both eyes, due to their hours of work. Another anonymous individual 
submitted a comment disagreeing with the Agency's decision to grant the 
exemptions citing safety concerns.
    FMCSA evaluated the eligibility of each of these applicants and 
determined that granting the exemptions would result in a level of 
safety that is equal to, or greater than, that which would exist 
without the exemptions. As discussed in Section IV: Basis for Renewing 
Exemptions of the Request for Comment Notice published on February 1, 
2021 (86 FR 7769), each individual possesses a valid license to operate 
a CMV, and each individual has submitted evidence that he or she has 
continued to safely operate a CMV in interstate commerce for a 2-year 
period with their exemption. These factors provide an adequate basis 
for predicting each driver's ability to continue to drive safely in 
interstate commerce.

IV. Conclusion

    Based on its evaluation of the 53 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 March and 
are discussed below. As of March 1, 2021, and in accordance with 49 
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following 44 individuals have 
satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the 
vision requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (64 FR 
68195; 65 FR 20245; 65 FR 20251; 65 FR 45817; 65 FR 57230; 65 FR 77066; 
66 FR 53826; 66 FR 66966; 67 FR 38311; 67 FR 46016; 67 FR 57266; 67 FR 
57267; 68 FR 1654; 68 FR 69434; 69 FR 26921; 69 FR 52741; 69 FR 64806; 
69 FR 71098; 70 FR 2705; 70 FR 7545; 70 FR 44946; 70 FR 53412; 70 FR 
74102; 71 FR 5105; 71 FR 19600; 71 FR 27033; 71 FR 32184; 71 FR 32185; 
71 FR 41311; 71 FR 53489; 71 FR 63379; 72 FR 1051; 72 FR 1054; 72 FR 
1056; 73 FR 11989; 73 FR 15567; 73 FR 27015; 73 FR 28186; 73 FR 42403; 
73 FR 51336; 73 FR 51689; 73 FR 63047; 73 FR 75803; 73 FR 76439; 73 FR 
78421; 73 FR 78423; 74 FR 6209; 74 FR 60021; 74 FR 60022; 75 FR 4623; 
75 FR 9480; 75 FR 13653; 75 FR 19674; 75 FR 22176; 75 FR 27623; 75 FR 
38602; 75 FR 47883; 75 FR 52062; 75 FR 63257; 75 FR 64396; 75 FR 72863; 
75 FR 77492; 75 FR 79079; 75 FR 79083; 75 FR 79084; 76 FR 2190; 76 FR 
4413; 76 FR 5425; 76 FR 67248; 76 FR 75942; 76 FR 79761; 77 FR 543; 77 
FR 15184; 77 FR 17107; 77 FR 17108; 77 FR 23797; 77 FR 27850; 77 FR 
29447; 77 FR 41879; 77 FR 52389; 77 FR 52391; 77 FR 60010; 77 FR 64582; 
77 FR 74273; 77 FR 74734; 77 FR 75496; 77 FR 76166; 78 FR 800; 78 FR 
1919; 78 FR 11731; 78 FR 12817; 78 FR 67452; 78 FR 67460; 78 FR 76707; 
79 FR 1908; 79 FR 10606; 79 FR 14333; 79 FR 14571; 79 FR 17642; 79 FR 
18391; 79 FR 22003; 79 FR 23797; 79 FR 27043; 79 FR 28588; 79 FR 35212; 
79 FR 37842; 79 FR 38659; 79 FR 38661; 79 FR 41735; 79 FR 46300; 79 FR 
47175; 79 FR 53514; 79 FR 56104; 79 FR 73397; 79 FR 73686; 79 FR 73687; 
79 FR 74169; 80 FR 603; 80 FR 2473; 80 FR 3723; 80 FR 8751; 80 FR 9304; 
80 FR 18693; 80 FR 67481; 81 FR 15401; 81 FR 20433; 81 FR 20435; 81 FR 
26305; 81 FR 28138; 81 FR 52514; 81 FR 59266; 81 FR 66724; 81 FR 68098; 
81 FR 71173; 81 FR 72664; 81 FR 74494; 81 FR 80161; 81 FR 81230; 81 FR 
86063; 81 FR 90050; 81 FR 91239; 81 FR 94013; 81 FR 96165; 81 FR 96196; 
82 FR 12683; 82 FR 13043; 82 FR 13048; 83 FR 2306; 83 FR 6919; 83 FR 
15195; 83 FR 28325; 83 FR 28332; 83 FR 34661; 83 FR 53724; 83 FR 56140; 
83 FR 56902; 84 FR 2309; 84 FR 2311; 84 FR 2314; 84 FR 16320):

Kurtis A. Anderson (SD)
Alan A. Andrews (NE)
Teddy S. Bioni (PA)
Duane N. Brojer (NM)
Chad L. Burnham (ME)
Derric D. Burrell (AL)
Laurence R. Casey (MA)
Thomas A. Crowell (NC)
Kevin J. Embrey (IN)
Douglas K. Esp (MT)

[[Page 16018]]

Liam F. Gilliland (MA)
Gary A. Goostree (OH)
Brian G. Hagen (IL)
Todd M. Harguth (MN)
Guadalupe J. Hernandez (IN)
Clarence K. Hill (NC)
Justin A. Hooper (MO)
Samuel L. Klaphake (MN)
Dennis E. Krone (IL)
John C. Lewis (SC)
Ernest B. Martin (KY)
Terrence L. McKinney (TX)
Norman Mullins (OH)
Robert H. Nelson (VA)
Lance C. Phares (NY)
Jack E. Potts, Jr. (PA)
Don C. Powell (NY)
Monte L. Purciful (IN)
Luis Ramos (FL)
George S. Rayson (OH)
Charles D. Reddick (GA)
Antonio Rivera (PA)
Ricky D. Rostad (MN)
Julius Simmons, Jr. (SC)
William T. Smiley (MD)
Michael G. Somma (NY)
Joshua R. Stanley (OK)
Douglas R. Strickland (NC)
David M. Taylor (MO)
Bruce A. Walker (WI)
Scott C. Westphal (MN)
Edward C. Williams (AL)
Steven E. Williams (GA)
Olen L. Williams, Jr. (TN)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-1999-6480; FMCSA-
2000-7006; FMCSA-2000-7363; FMCSA-2001-10578; FMCSA-2002-12294; FMCSA-
2004-19477; FMCSA-2005-23238; FMCSA-2006-24783; FMCSA-2006-26066; 
FMCSA-2008-0021; FMCSA-2008-0266; FMCSA-2008-0340; FMCSA-2009-0011; 
FMCSA-2009-0303; FMCSA-2010-0187; FMCSA-2010-0354; FMCSA-2010-0385; 
FMCSA-2011-0276; FMCSA-2011-0379; FMCSA-2012-0161; FMCSA-2012-0339; 
FMCSA-2013-0174; FMCSA-2014-0002; FMCSA-2014-0003; FMCSA-2014-0006; 
FMCSA-2014-0007; FMCSA-2014-0299; FMCSA-2014-0300; FMCSA-2016-0027; 
FMCSA-2016-0031; FMCSA-2016-0033; FMCSA-2016-0210; FMCSA-2016-0212; 
FMCSA-2018-0207. Their exemptions were applicable as of March 1, 2021, 
and will expire on March 1, 2023.
    As of March 4, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b), Ralph J. Miles (OR) has satisfied the renewal conditions for 
obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in the FMCSRs for 
interstate CMV drivers (67 FR 76439; 68 FR 10298; 70 FR 7545; 72 FR 
7812; 74 FR 6689; 76 FR 9859; 78 FR 8689; 80 FR 7678; 82 FR 13043; 84 
FR 16320).
    This driver was included in docket number FMCSA-2002-13411. The 
exemption was applicable as of March 4, 2021, and will expire on March 
4, 2023.
    As of March 7, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b), the following two individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (80 FR 6162; 80 FR 20562; 82 FR 
13043; 84 FR 16320):

Steven D. Ellsworth (IL); and Richard A. Pierce (MO)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2014-0301. Their 
exemptions were applicable as of March 7, 2021, and will expire on 
March 7, 2023.
    As of March 9, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b), the following three individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (84 FR 2323; 84 FR 16336):

Henry J. Hughes (MN); Emmanuel A. Sepulveda (CA); and Nyrone Whyte (CT)

    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2018-0209. Their 
exemptions were applicable as of March 9, 2021, and will expire on 
March 9, 2023.
    As of March 23, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b), the following three individuals have satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the vision requirement in 
the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (65 FR 78256; 66 FR 16311; 67 FR 
76439; 68 FR 10298; 68 FR 13360; 70 FR 7545; 70 FR 12265; 72 FR 7812; 
72 FR 11426; 73 FR 51689; 73 FR 63047; 74 FR 6689; 74 FR 8302; 75 FR 
77949; 76 FR 9859; 76 FR 11215; 78 FR 8689; 78 FR 12822; 80 FR 15859; 
82 FR 13043; 84 FR 16320):

Howard K. Bradley (VA); Thomas F. Marczewski (WI); and Wade D. Taylor 
(MO)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2000-8398; FMCSA-
2002-13411; FMCSA-2008-0266. Their exemptions are applicable as of 
March 23, 2021, and will expire on March 23, 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. 2021-06148 Filed 3-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P