Document ID: FMCSA-2011-0277-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Qualifications of Drivers; Exemption Applications: Diabetes Mellitus
Posted Date: 2011-10-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 200 (Monday, October 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64165-64169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26746]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0277]

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 64166]]

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 21 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 November 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0277 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow theon-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 docketnumbers 
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 FDMS published in theFederal Register on January 
17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit http://www.edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine M. Papp, Chief, 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 
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.'' The statute also allows the Agency to renew 
exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 21 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

Norman Billie

    Mr. Billie, age 52, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Billie understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Billie meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A Commercial Driver's License 
(CDL) from Utah.

Jeffry L. Bromby

    Mr. Bromby, 45, has had ITDM since 1998. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Bromby understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Bromby meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from 
California.

Glenn W. Burke

    Mr. Burke, 59, has had ITDM since approximately 2002. His 
endocrinologist examined him in 2011 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. Burke understands 
diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Burke meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New York.

David P. Charest

    Mr. Charest, 53, has had ITDM since 1988. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Charest understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Charest meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His

[[Page 64167]]

ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New Hampshire.

Matthew J. Cipolloni

    Mr. Cipolloni, 48, has had ITDM since 1997. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Cipolloni understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Cipolloni meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey.

Donald N. Ellis

    Mr. Ellis, 61, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Ellis understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Ellis meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Indiana.

Timothy J. Flynn

    Mr. Flynn, 33, has had ITDM since 2009. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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 since diagnosed in 
2009. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Flynn understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Flynn meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class C operator's license from Iowa.

Michael T. Heath

    Mr. Heath, 35, has had ITDM since 1994. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Heath understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Heath meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A operator's license from 
Georgia.

Edward L. Keith

    Mr. Keith, 55, has had ITDM since 2011. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Keith understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Keith meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois.

Thomas J. Kelley

    Mr. Kelley, 56, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Kelley understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Kelley meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Virginia.

Jackie L. Lane

    Mr. Lane, 53, has had ITDM since 2007. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2011 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. Lane understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Lane meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined 
him in 2011 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Texas.

Michael J. Miller

    Mr. Miller, 40, has had ITDM since 1997. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Miller understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Miller meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois.

Jeremy R. Pendergrass

    Mr. Pendergrass, 23, has had ITDM since 2002. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Pendergrass understands

[[Page 64168]]

diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes 
using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely.
    Mr. Pendergrass meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 
CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified 
that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Utah.

Cory J. Rickerl

    Mr. Rickerl, 28, has had ITDM since 1995. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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 4 years. 
His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Rickerl understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Rickerl meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class D operator's license from 
Arizona.

Phillip D. Ross

    Mr. Ross, 58, has had ITDM since 2011. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2011 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. Ross understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Ross meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him 
in 2011 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He 
holds a Class A CDL from Texas.

Dennis R. Scheel

    Mr. Scheel, 65, has had ITDM since 1985. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Scheel understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Scheel meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from South Dakota.

Michael K. Schulist

    Mr. Schulist, 44, has had ITDM since 1989. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Schulist understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Schulist meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he has stable 
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Michigan.

Andrew P. Shirk

    Mr. Shirk, 33, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Shirk understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Shirk meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
optometrist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not have 
diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class R operator's license from 
Mississippi.

Jerry L. Smit

    Mr. Smit, 51, has had ITDM since 2008. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2011 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. Smit understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Smit meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined 
him in 2011 and certified that he has stable proliferative diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Minnesota.

Charles R. Tomassi

    Mr. Tomassi, 57, has had ITDM since 2006. His endocrinologist 
examined him in 2011 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. Tomassi understands diabetes 
management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using 
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Tomassi meets the 
requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His 
ophthalmologist examined him in 2011 and certified that he does not 
have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New York.

Randy J. Voss

    Mr. Voss, 55, has had ITDM since 2010. His endocrinologist examined 
him in 2011 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. Voss understands diabetes management 
and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and 
is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Voss meets the requirements of the 
vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined 
him in 2011 and certified that he has stable proliferative diabetic 
retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois.

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

[[Page 64169]]

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 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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) 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 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.
    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: October 6, 2011.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-26746 Filed 10-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P