[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23705-23706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10554]
[[Page 23705]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0032]
Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption;
Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler)
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition; grant of application for
exemption.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant an exemption to Daimler
Trucks North America (Daimler) for one of its commercial motor vehicle
(CMV) drivers. Daimler requested a 5-year exemption from the Federal
requirement to hold a U.S. commercial driver's license (CDL) for Mr.
Kai Zeuner, a project engineer for the Daimler Trucks and Bus Division.
Mr. Zeuner holds a valid German commercial license and wants to test-
drive Daimler vehicles on U.S. roads to better understand product
requirements for these systems in ``real world'' environments, and
verify results. Daimler believes the requirements for a German
commercial license ensure that holders of the license will likely
achieve a level of safety equal to or greater than that of drivers who
hold a U.S. State-issued CDL.
DATES: This exemption is effective May 23, 2017 and expires May 23,
2022.
ADDRESSES:
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit 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., ET, Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The on-line FDMS is available 24 hours each
day, 365 days each year.
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.dot.gov/privacy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Thomas Yager, Chief, FMCSA Driver
and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle
Safety Standards; Telephone: 614-942-6477. Email: [email protected]. If you
have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact
Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov and insert
the docket number, ``FMCSA-2012-0032 in the ``Keyword'' box and click
``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket Folder'' button and choose
the document to review. If you do not have access to the Internet, you
may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
II. Legal Basis
FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant
exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. FMCSA
must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register
(49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity
to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any
safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide
an opportunity for public comment on the request.
The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments, and
determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level
of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of
the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR
381.315(b)) with the reason for the grant or denial, and, if granted,
the specific person or class of persons receiving the exemption, and
the regulatory provision or provisions from which exemption is granted.
The notice must also specify the effective period of the exemption (up
to 5 years), and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The
exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
Request for Exemption
On behalf of Mr. Kai Zeuner, Daimler has applied for a 5-year
exemption from 49 CFR 383.23, which prescribes licensing requirements
for drivers operating CMVs in interstate or intrastate commerce. Mr.
Zeuner is unable to obtain a CDL in any of the States due to his lack
of residency in the United States. A copy of the application is in
Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0032.
The exemption would allow Mr. Zeuner to operate CMVs in interstate
or intrastate commerce to support Daimler field tests designed to meet
future vehicle safety and environmental requirements and to develop
improved safety and emission technologies. Mr. Zeuner needs to drive
Daimler vehicles on public roads to better understand ``real world''
environments in the U.S. market. According to Daimler, Mr. Zeuner will
typically drive for no more than 6 hours per day for 2 consecutive
days, and 10 percent of the test driving will be on two-lane State
highways, while 90 percent will be on interstate highways. The driving
will consist of no more than 200 miles per day, for a total of 400
miles during a two-day period on a quarterly basis. He will in all
cases be accompanied by a holder of a U.S. CDL who is familiar with the
routes to be traveled.
Mr. Zeuner would be required to comply with all applicable Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) (49 CFR parts 350-399) except
the CDL provisions described in this notice.
Mr. Zeuner holds a valid German commercial license, and as
explained by Daimler in its exemption request, the requirements for
that license ensure that the same level of safety is met or exceeded as
if this driver had a U.S. CDL. Furthermore, according to Daimler, Mr.
Zeuner is familiar with the operation of CMVs worldwide.
IV. Method To Ensure an Equivalent or Greater Level of Safety
FMCSA has previously determined that the process for obtaining a
German commercial license is comparable to, or as effective as, the
requirements of part 383, and adequately assesses the driver's ability
to operate CMVs in the U.S. Since 2012, FMCSA has granted Daimler
drivers similar exemptions [May 25, 2012 (77 FR 31422); July 22, 2014
(79 FR 42626); March 27, 2015 (80 FR 16511); October 5, 2015 (80 FR
60220); December 7, 2015 (80 FR 76059); December 21, 2015 (80 FR
79410)].
V. Public Comments
On January 6, 2017, FMCSA published notice of this application and
requested public comments (82 FR 1782). Two comments were submitted,
which neither opposed nor supported the requested exemption.
VI. FMCSA Decision
Based upon the merits of this application, including Mr. Zeuner's
[[Page 23706]]
extensive driving experience and safety record, FMCSA has concluded
that the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is
equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent
such exemption, in accordance with Sec. 381.305(a).
VII. Terms and Conditions for the Exemption
FMCSA grants Daimler and Kai Zeuner an exemption from the CDL
requirement in 49 CFR 383.23 to allow Mr. Zeuner to drive CMVs in this
country without a U.S. State-issued CDL, subject to the following terms
and conditions: (1) The driver and carrier must comply with all other
applicable provisions of the FMCSRs (49 CFR parts 350-399); (2) the
driver must be in possession of the exemption document and a valid
German commercial license; (3) the driver must be employed by and
operate the CMV within the scope of his duties for Daimler; (4) at all
times while operating a CMV under this exemption, the driver must be
accompanied by a holder of a U.S. CDL who is familiar with the routes
traveled; (5) Daimler must notify FMCSA in writing within 5 business
days of any accident, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, involving this
driver; and (6) Daimler must notify FMCSA in writing if this driver is
convicted of a disqualifying offense under Sec. 383.51 or Sec. 391.15
of the FMCSRs.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the exemption will
be valid for 5 years unless revoked earlier by the FMCSA. The exemption
will be revoked if: (1) Mr. Zeuner fails to comply with the terms and
conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption results in a lower level
of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3)
continuation of the exemption would be inconsistent with the goals and
objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136.
VIII. Preemption
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR
381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall
enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate or intrastate
commerce that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption
with respect to a firm or person operating under the exemption.
Issued on: May 17, 2017.
Daphne Y. Jefferson,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-10554 Filed 5-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P