Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2011/11/15/2011-29481.html
Timestamp: 2020-06-01 20:39:18
Document Index: 601446621

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'ART 3052', 'art 391', 'art 3052', 'art 1', 'art 1', '§ 391', '§ 391', 'art 384', '§ 391', 'art 391', 'ART 391', 'art 391', 'art 383', '§ 391', '§ 391', '§ 391', 'art 383', '§ 383', '§ 391', 'art 384', 'ART 391', 'art 383', 'art 383']

Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the Commercial Driver's License (CDL); Extension of Certificate Retention Requirements, 70661-70663 [2011-29481] :: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration :: Department Of Transportation :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the Commercial Driver's License (CDL); Extension of Certificate Retention Requirements, 70661-70663 [2011-29481]
Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the Commercial Driver's License (CDL); Extension of Certificate Retention Requirements, 70661-70663 [2011-29481]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301–302, 41 U.S.C. 1707(a) and (b), 41 U.S.C. 1702, 48 CFR part 1, subpart 1.3, and DHS Delegation Number 0700. 2. Section 3009.108–7001 is revised to read as follows: ■ 3009.108–7001 General. 7000 through 3009.108–7003, but it plans to submit a request for waiver pursuant to 3009.108–7004. * * * * * Christina E. McDonald, Associate General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Department of Homeland Security. Except as provided in (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108–7004, DHS may not enter into any contract with a foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation under subsection (b) of section 835 of the Homeland Security Act, 6 U.S.C. 395(b), or any subsidiary of such an entity. ■ 3. Section 3009.108–7004(a) is revised to read as follows: [FR Doc. 2011–29388 Filed 11–14–11; 8:45 am] 3009.108–7004 [Docket No. FMCSA–1997–2210] Waivers. (a) The Secretary shall waive the provisions of (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108– 7001 with respect to any specific contract if the Secretary determines that the waiver is required in the interest of national security. * * * * * PART 3052—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES BILLING CODE 9110–9B–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 391 RIN 2126–AB39 Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL); Extension of Certificate Retention Requirements Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The FMCSA amends its regulations to keep in effect until January 30, 2014, the requirement that interstate drivers subject to the commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations and the Federal physical qualification requirements must retain paper copies of their medical examiner’s certificate. Interstate motor carriers are also required to retain copies of their drivers’ medical certificates in their driver qualification files. This action is being taken to ensure the medical qualification of CDL holders until all States are able to post the medical selfcertification and medical examiner’s certificate data on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) driver record. This rule does not, however, extend the compliance dates for States to collect and to post to the CDLIS driver record data from a CDL holder’s medical self-certification and medical examiner’s certificate. DATES: This rule is effective December 15, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may search background documents or comments to the docket for this rule, identified by docket number FMCSA–1997–2210, by visiting the: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for reviewing documents and comments. Regulations.gov is available electronically 24 hours each day, 365 days a year; or SUMMARY: 4. The authority citation for part 3052 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301–302, 41 U.S.C. 1707(a) and (b), 41 U.S.C. 1702, 48 CFR part 1, subpart 1.3, and DHS Delegation Number 0700. 5. Section 3052.209–70 is amended by revising the introductory text and paragraph (f) of the clause to read as follows: ■ jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES 3052.209–70 Prohibition on contracts with corporate expatriates. As prescribed at (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108–7005, insert the following clause: * * * * * (f) Disclosure. The offeror under this solicitation represents that [Check one]: l it is not a foreign incorporated entity that should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation pursuant to the criteria of (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108–7000 through 3009.108–7003; l it is a foreign incorporated entity that should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation pursuant to the criteria of (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108– 7000 through 3009.108–7003, but it has submitted a request for waiver pursuant to 3009.108–7004, which has not been denied; or l it is a foreign incorporated entity that should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation pursuant to the criteria of (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108– VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:12 Nov 14, 2011 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 70661 • DOT Docket Management Facility (M–30): U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room 12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s Privacy Act System of Records Notice for the DOT Federal Docket Management System published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2008, (73 FR 3316) or you may visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/ E8–785.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Redmond, Senior Transportation Specialist, Office of Safety Programs, Commercial Driver’s License Division (MC–ESL), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 366–5014. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Legal Basis Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the CDL The legal basis of the final rule titled ‘‘Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the Commercial Driver’s License,’’ published on December 1, 2008, (2008 final rule) (73 FR 73096– 73097), is also applicable to this rule. Background On December 1, 2008, FMCSA published a final rule (73 FR 73096) adopting regulations to implement section 215 of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (MCSIA) (Pub. L. 106–159, 113 Stat. 1767, Dec. 9, 1999). Section 215 directed initiation of a rule to provide for a Federal medical qualification certificate to be made a part of commercial driver’s licenses. The 2008 final rule requires any CDL holder subject to the physical qualification requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to provide a current original or copy of his or her medical examiner’s certificate to the issuing State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA). The final rule requires the SDLA to post in the CDLIS driver record the self-certification that CDL holders are required to make regarding applicability of the Federal physical qualification requirements and, for drivers subject to those requirements, the medical certification information specified in the regulations. The final E:\FR\FM\15NOR1.SGM 15NOR1 70662 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES rule also implemented other conforming requirements for both SDLAs and employers (73 FR 73096–73128). These requirements, for the most part, have a compliance date of January 30, 2012. On May 21, 2010, the Agency published several technical amendments to the 2008 final rule to make certain corrections and to address certain petitions for reconsideration of that final rule (75 FR 28499–28502). Several SDLAs have recently advised the Agency that they may not have the capability by January 30, 2012, to receive the required medical certification and medical examiner’s certificate information provided by a non-excepted, interstate CDL holder, and then manually post it to the CDLIS driver record. An SDLA’s inability to receive and post the required material would render both the CDL holder and his or her employer unable to demonstrate or verify, respectively, that the driver is medically certified in compliance with the FMCSRs. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking On June 14, 2011, FMCSA published a notice (76 FR 34635) proposing to maintain in effect, until January 30, 2014, the requirement for an interstate CDL holder subject to the Federal physical qualification standards to carry a paper copy of his or her medical examiner’s certificate. Until January 30, 2014, a CDL holder would continue to carry on his or her person the medical examiner’s certificate specified at § 391.43(h), or a copy, as valid proof of medical certification. Also, an interstate motor carrier that employs CDL holders would continue to obtain and file a copy of the CDL holder’s medical examiner’s certificate in its driver qualification files, as specified at § 391.51(b)(7)(i), if the motor carrier is unable to obtain that information from the SDLA issuing the CDL due to the SDLA’s inability to post the medical certificate data. In this way, the Agency could ensure the medical qualification of CDL holders until all States are able to post the medical selfcertification and medical examiner’s certificate data on the CDLIS driver record. The FMCSA did not propose to change the compliance dates it established in the 2008 final rule for SDLAs. SDLAs are still expected to meet the January 30, 2012, date specified in 49 CFR 383.73 to start collecting information from CDL applicants and posting and retaining this data on the CDLIS driver record. In addition, SDLAs are expected to collect and post the same data from all existing CDL holders by the January 30, 2014, compliance date. The Agency believes that VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:12 Nov 14, 2011 Jkt 226001 extending the requirement that both interstate CDL holders and motor carriers retain the copy of the medical examiner’s certificate for 2 years, however, will provide sufficient overlap with the requirement that all SDLAs obtain the medical status and medical examiner’s certificate information and post it on the driver’s CDLIS driver record. Response to Comments Two State agencies, the Michigan Department of State and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), submitted comments to the June 14, 2011, proposal. Both agencies support the proposal to extend certain compliance dates for interstate CDL drivers and the motor carriers that employ them. But the Michigan Department of State urged the Agency to also extend, until January 2014, the compliance dates established for States in the 2008 final rule. The MoDOT noted that the Agency was silent regarding whether the deferred implementation date also applies to intrastate drivers and the intrastate employers. According to this commenter, This omission creates uncertainty and ambiguity regarding the intended scope and meaning of these requirements. When the States attempt to enforce these safety regulations against intrastate drivers and motor carriers, this kind of uncertainty and ambiguity may be susceptible to exploitation by alleged offenders or their defense attorneys, and could potentially frustrate or even to [sic] thwart the State’s ability to prosecute apparent violations of these requirements by intrastate drivers and motor carriers. FMCSA Response: The FMCSA acknowledges Michigan’s concerns. However, the Agency believes it is necessary for the States to continue working towards the January 2012 deadline. This is especially the case given that Michigan provided no justification in its comment for this request. As provided in 49 CFR 384.301(d), Michigan, like all the other States issuing CDLs, will have had 3 years (from the effective date of the final rule on January 30, 2009) to comply, and most States will be in compliance. If Michigan or any other State is unable to achieve substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR 384.225, as adopted in December 2008, then the compliance review standards and procedures of 49 CFR part 384, subparts C and D will be implemented. The FMCSA will continue to work with the States by providing technical assistance, as resources permit, in achieving compliance. PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Regarding MoDOT’s request for FMCSA to make the provisions of this final rule applicable to intrastate CDL drivers and intrastate-only motor carriers, applicable statutes provide no authority for FMCSA to do so. As explained in the preamble to the final rule, FMCSA’s authority to require CDL drivers to be physically-qualified and to obtain a medical certificate is limited to drivers in interstate commerce (49 U.S.C. 31305(a)(7)). Therefore, the requirement in the 2008 final rule that CDL drivers submit their medical certificates to SDLAs only applies to drivers engaged in interstate transportation who are not excepted from the requirement to be physically qualified (73 FR 73097, 49 CFR 383.71 and 383.73). Because the 2008 final rule does not apply to intrastate-only CDL drivers in the first place, FMCSA cannot take any action regarding the need for such drivers to carry paper copies of any medical certificates and for their employers to obtain copies for their driver qualification files. The Final Rule The Agency adopts the proposed rule as final without any changes. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures The FMCSA has determined that this final rule is not a significant regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, as supplemented by E.O. 13563, 76 FR 3821 (Jan. 21, 2011), or within the meaning of the Department of Transportation regulatory policies and procedures. Therefore, the Agency was not required to submit this rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The changes made in this final rule will have minimal costs and a full regulatory evaluation is unnecessary. Regulatory Flexibility Act In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612), FMCSA has evaluated the effects of this rule on small entities. The rule extends, until January 30, 2014, the existing requirement for interstate CDL holders subject to Federal physical qualifications requirements and their employers to retain a copy of a medical examiner’s certificate. Because extending the current requirement will not materially impact small entities, I certify that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. E:\FR\FM\15NOR1.SGM 15NOR1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2011 / Rules and Regulations Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Paperwork Reduction Act ■ The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $143.1 million (which is the value in 2010 of $100 million after adjusting for inflation) or more in any 1 year. The FMCSA has determined that the impact of this rulemaking will not reach this threshold. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires that FMCSA consider the impact of paperwork and other information collection burdens imposed on the public. FMCSA has determined that no new information collection requirements are associated with the requirements in this final rule. § 391.23 Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) This action meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children) The FMCSA analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. The Agency determined that this final rule does not concern an environmental risk to health or safety that may disproportionately affect children. Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property) This final rule does not affect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) The FMCSA analyzed this final rule in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132. Although the 2008 final rule had Federalism implications, FMCSA determined that it did not create a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Today’s final rule does not change that determination in any way. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES 70663 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:12 Nov 14, 2011 The FMCSA analyzed this final rule for the purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and determined under our environmental procedures Order 5610.1, published March 1, 2004, (69 FR 9680) that this final rule does not have any significant impact on the environment. In addition, the actions in this rule are categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation as per paragraph 6.b of Appendix 2 of FMCSA’s Order 5610.1. The FMCSA also analyzed this final rule under the Clean Air Act, as amended (CAA), section 176(c) (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), and implementing regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. This final rule is exempt from the CAA’s general conformity requirement since the action results in no increase in emissions. Executive Order 13211 (Energy Effects) ■ National Environmental Policy Act The FMCSA analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. The Agency determined that it is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under that Executive Order because it is not economically significant and is not likely to have an adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 391 Motor carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety. In consideration of the foregoing, FMCSA amends title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter III as follows: PART 391—QUALIFICATIONS OF DRIVERS AND LONGER COMBINATION VEHICLE (LCV) DRIVER INSTRUCTORS 1. The authority citation for part 391 continues to read as follows: The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this final rule. Jkt 226001 Investigation and inquiries. * * * * (m) * * * (2) Exception. For drivers required to have a commercial driver’s license under part 383 of this chapter: (i) Beginning January 30, 2014, using the CDLIS motor vehicle record obtained from the current licensing State, the motor carrier must verify and document in the driver qualification file the following information before allowing the driver to operate a CMV: * * * * * (ii) Until January 30, 2014, if a driver operating in non-excepted, interstate commerce has no medical certification status information on the CDLIS MVR obtained from the current State driver licensing agency, the employing motor carrier may accept a medical examiner’s certificate issued to that driver, and place a copy of it in the driver qualification file before allowing the driver to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. ■ Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review) 2. Amend § 391.23 by revising paragraphs (m)(2) introductory text, (m)(2)(i) introductory text, and (m)(2)(ii) to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 504, 508, 31133, 31136, and 31502; sec. 4007(b) of Pub. L. 102–240, 105 Stat. 2152; sec. 114 of Pub. L. 103–311, 108 Stat. 1673, 1677; sec. 215 of Pub. L. 106–159, 113 Stat. 1767; and 49 CFR 1.73. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 * 3. Revise § 391.41(a)(2)(i) to read as follows: § 391.41 drivers. Physical qualifications for (a) * * * (2) * * * (i) Beginning January 30, 2014, a driver required to have a commercial driver’s license under part 383 of this chapter, and who submitted a current medical examiner’s certificate to the State in accordance with § 383.71(h) of this chapter documenting that he or she meets the physical qualification requirements of this part, no longer needs to carry on his or her person the medical examiner’s certificate specified at § 391.43(h), or a copy for more than 15 days after the date it was issued as valid proof of medical certification. * * * * * Issued on: October 28, 2011. Anne S. Ferro, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2011–29481 Filed 11–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P E:\FR\FM\15NOR1.SGM 15NOR1
[Pages 70661-70663]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29481]
[Docket No. FMCSA-1997-2210]
RIN 2126-AB39
Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the Commercial
Driver's License (CDL); Extension of Certificate Retention Requirements
SUMMARY: The FMCSA amends its regulations to keep in effect until
January 30, 2014, the requirement that interstate drivers subject to
the commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations and the Federal
physical qualification requirements must retain paper copies of their
medical examiner's certificate. Interstate motor carriers are also
required to retain copies of their drivers' medical certificates in
their driver qualification files. This action is being taken to ensure
the medical qualification of CDL holders until all States are able to
post the medical self-certification and medical examiner's certificate
data on the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS)
driver record. This rule does not, however, extend the compliance dates
for States to collect and to post to the CDLIS driver record data from
a CDL holder's medical self-certification and medical examiner's
DATES: This rule is effective December 15, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may search background documents or comments to the
docket for this rule, identified by docket number FMCSA-1997-2210, by
Follow the online instructions for reviewing documents and comments.
Regulations.gov is available electronically 24 hours each day, 365 days
DOT Docket Management Facility (M-30): U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground
Floor, Room 12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Management System published in the Federal Register on January 17,
2008, (73 FR 3316) or you may visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.
Transportation Specialist, Office of Safety Programs, Commercial
Driver's License Division (MC-ESL), Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590;
telephone (202) 366-5014.
The legal basis of the final rule titled ``Medical Certification
Requirements as Part of the Commercial Driver's License,'' published on
December 1, 2008, (2008 final rule) (73 FR 73096-73097), is also
applicable to this rule.
On December 1, 2008, FMCSA published a final rule (73 FR 73096)
adopting regulations to implement section 215 of the Motor Carrier
Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (MCSIA) (Pub. L. 106-159, 113 Stat.
1767, Dec. 9, 1999). Section 215 directed initiation of a rule to
part of commercial driver's licenses. The 2008 final rule requires any
CDL holder subject to the physical qualification requirements of the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to provide a current
original or copy of his or her medical examiner's certificate to the
issuing State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA). The final rule requires
the SDLA to post in the CDLIS driver record the self-certification that
CDL holders are required to make regarding applicability of the Federal
physical qualification requirements and, for drivers subject to those
requirements, the medical certification information specified in the
regulations. The final
[[Page 70662]]
rule also implemented other conforming requirements for both SDLAs and
employers (73 FR 73096-73128). These requirements, for the most part,
have a compliance date of January 30, 2012. On May 21, 2010, the Agency
published several technical amendments to the 2008 final rule to make
certain corrections and to address certain petitions for
reconsideration of that final rule (75 FR 28499-28502).
Several SDLAs have recently advised the Agency that they may not
have the capability by January 30, 2012, to receive the required
medical certification and medical examiner's certificate information
provided by a non-excepted, interstate CDL holder, and then manually
post it to the CDLIS driver record. An SDLA's inability to receive and
post the required material would render both the CDL holder and his or
her employer unable to demonstrate or verify, respectively, that the
driver is medically certified in compliance with the FMCSRs.
On June 14, 2011, FMCSA published a notice (76 FR 34635) proposing
to maintain in effect, until January 30, 2014, the requirement for an
interstate CDL holder subject to the Federal physical qualification
standards to carry a paper copy of his or her medical examiner's
certificate. Until January 30, 2014, a CDL holder would continue to
carry on his or her person the medical examiner's certificate specified
at Sec.  391.43(h), or a copy, as valid proof of medical certification.
Also, an interstate motor carrier that employs CDL holders would
continue to obtain and file a copy of the CDL holder's medical
examiner's certificate in its driver qualification files, as specified
at Sec.  391.51(b)(7)(i), if the motor carrier is unable to obtain that
information from the SDLA issuing the CDL due to the SDLA's inability
to post the medical certificate data. In this way, the Agency could
ensure the medical qualification of CDL holders until all States are
able to post the medical self-certification and medical examiner's
certificate data on the CDLIS driver record.
The FMCSA did not propose to change the compliance dates it
established in the 2008 final rule for SDLAs. SDLAs are still expected
to meet the January 30, 2012, date specified in 49 CFR 383.73 to start
collecting information from CDL applicants and posting and retaining
this data on the CDLIS driver record. In addition, SDLAs are expected
to collect and post the same data from all existing CDL holders by the
January 30, 2014, compliance date. The Agency believes that extending
the requirement that both interstate CDL holders and motor carriers
retain the copy of the medical examiner's certificate for 2 years,
however, will provide sufficient overlap with the requirement that all
SDLAs obtain the medical status and medical examiner's certificate
information and post it on the driver's CDLIS driver record.
Two State agencies, the Michigan Department of State and the
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), submitted comments to
the June 14, 2011, proposal. Both agencies support the proposal to
extend certain compliance dates for interstate CDL drivers and the
motor carriers that employ them. But the Michigan Department of State
urged the Agency to also extend, until January 2014, the compliance
dates established for States in the 2008 final rule.
The MoDOT noted that the Agency was silent regarding whether the
deferred implementation date also applies to intrastate drivers and the
intrastate employers. According to this commenter,
This omission creates uncertainty and ambiguity regarding the
intended scope and meaning of these requirements. When the States
attempt to enforce these safety regulations against intrastate
drivers and motor carriers, this kind of uncertainty and ambiguity
may be susceptible to exploitation by alleged offenders or their
defense attorneys, and could potentially frustrate or even to [sic]
thwart the State's ability to prosecute apparent violations of these
requirements by intrastate drivers and motor carriers.
FMCSA Response: The FMCSA acknowledges Michigan's concerns.
However, the Agency believes it is necessary for the States to continue
working towards the January 2012 deadline. This is especially the case
given that Michigan provided no justification in its comment for this
request. As provided in 49 CFR 384.301(d), Michigan, like all the other
States issuing CDLs, will have had 3 years (from the effective date of
the final rule on January 30, 2009) to comply, and most States will be
in compliance. If Michigan or any other State is unable to achieve
substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR 384.225, as
adopted in December 2008, then the compliance review standards and
procedures of 49 CFR part 384, subparts C and D will be implemented.
The FMCSA will continue to work with the States by providing technical
assistance, as resources permit, in achieving compliance.
Regarding MoDOT's request for FMCSA to make the provisions of this
final rule applicable to intrastate CDL drivers and intrastate-only
motor carriers, applicable statutes provide no authority for FMCSA to
do so. As explained in the preamble to the final rule, FMCSA's
authority to require CDL drivers to be physically-qualified and to
obtain a medical certificate is limited to drivers in interstate
commerce (49 U.S.C. 31305(a)(7)). Therefore, the requirement in the
2008 final rule that CDL drivers submit their medical certificates to
SDLAs only applies to drivers engaged in interstate transportation who
are not excepted from the requirement to be physically qualified (73 FR
73097, 49 CFR 383.71 and 383.73). Because the 2008 final rule does not
apply to intrastate-only CDL drivers in the first place, FMCSA cannot
take any action regarding the need for such drivers to carry paper
copies of any medical certificates and for their employers to obtain
copies for their driver qualification files.
The Agency adopts the proposed rule as final without any changes.
The FMCSA has determined that this final rule is not a significant
regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866,
as supplemented by E.O. 13563, 76 FR 3821 (Jan. 21, 2011), or within
the meaning of the Department of Transportation regulatory policies and
procedures. Therefore, the Agency was not required to submit this rule
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The changes made in this
final rule will have minimal costs and a full regulatory evaluation is
612), FMCSA has evaluated the effects of this rule on small entities.
The rule extends, until January 30, 2014, the existing requirement for
interstate CDL holders subject to Federal physical qualifications
requirements and their employers to retain a copy of a medical
examiner's certificate. Because extending the current requirement will
not materially impact small entities, I certify that this final rule
[[Page 70663]]
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $143.1 million (which is
the value in 2010 of $100 million after adjusting for inflation) or
more in any 1 year. The FMCSA has determined that the impact of this
rulemaking will not reach this threshold.
The FMCSA analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045,
Risks. The Agency determined that this final rule does not concern an
This final rule does not affect a taking of private property or
The FMCSA analyzed this final rule in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132. Although
the 2008 final rule had Federalism implications, FMCSA determined that
it did not create a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
government. Today's final rule does not change that determination in
not apply to this final rule.
collection burdens imposed on the public. FMCSA has determined that no
new information collection requirements are associated with the
The FMCSA analyzed this final rule for the purpose of the National
March 1, 2004, (69 FR 9680) that this final rule does not have any
significant impact on the environment. In addition, the actions in this
rule are categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation
as per paragraph 6.b of Appendix 2 of FMCSA's Order 5610.1. The FMCSA
also analyzed this final rule under the Clean Air Act, as amended
regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. This
final rule is exempt from the CAA's general conformity requirement
since the action results in no increase in emissions.
The FMCSA analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211,
Distribution, or Use. The Agency determined that it is not a
not economically significant and is not likely to have an adverse
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.
Motor carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety.
In consideration of the foregoing, FMCSA amends title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations, Chapter III as follows:
PART 391--QUALIFICATIONS OF DRIVERS AND LONGER COMBINATION VEHICLE
(LCV) DRIVER INSTRUCTORS
2. Amend Sec.  391.23 by revising paragraphs (m)(2) introductory text,
(m)(2)(i) introductory text, and (m)(2)(ii) to read as follows:
Sec.  391.23  Investigation and inquiries.
(2) Exception. For drivers required to have a commercial driver's
license under part 383 of this chapter:
(i) Beginning January 30, 2014, using the CDLIS motor vehicle
record obtained from the current licensing State, the motor carrier
must verify and document in the driver qualification file the following
information before allowing the driver to operate a CMV:
(ii) Until January 30, 2014, if a driver operating in non-excepted,
interstate commerce has no medical certification status information on
the CDLIS MVR obtained from the current State driver licensing agency,
the employing motor carrier may accept a medical examiner's certificate
issued to that driver, and place a copy of it in the driver
qualification file before allowing the driver to operate a CMV in
3. Revise Sec.  391.41(a)(2)(i) to read as follows:
Sec.  391.41  Physical qualifications for drivers.
(i) Beginning January 30, 2014, a driver required to have a
commercial driver's license under part 383 of this chapter, and who
submitted a current medical examiner's certificate to the State in
accordance with Sec.  383.71(h) of this chapter documenting that he or
she meets the physical qualification requirements of this part, no
longer needs to carry on his or her person the medical examiner's
certificate specified at Sec.  391.43(h), or a copy for more than 15
days after the date it was issued as valid proof of medical
[FR Doc. 2011-29481 Filed 11-14-11; 8:45 am]