[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37197-37201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15696]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2003-15268]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

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

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SUMMARY: This notice publishes the FMCSA's receipt of applications from 
36 individuals for an exemption from the vision requirement in the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions 
will enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor 
vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the vision 
standard prescribed in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 23, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT DMS Docket Number 
FMCSA-2003-15268 by any of the following methods:
    [sbull] Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
    [sbull] Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    [sbull] Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    [sbull] Hand Delivery: Room Pl-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
    [sbull] Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number for this notice. For detailed instructions on submitting 
comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the 
Public Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section 
of this document. Note that all comments received will be posted 
without change to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal 
information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading under 
Regulatory Notices.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL-
401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Zywokarte, Office of Bus 
and Truck Standards and Operations, (202) 366-2987, FMCSA, Department 
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Public Participation: The DMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 
days each year. You can get electronic submission and retrieval help 
guidelines under the ``help'' section of the DMS Web site. If you want 
us to notify you 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 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 the 
Department of Transportation's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register

[[Page 37198]]

published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or 
you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the FMCSA may grant an 
exemption 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 36 individuals listed in this notice have recently requested an 
exemption from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), 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.

Qualifications of Applicants

1. Gene E. Adams

    Mr. Adams, 64, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/70 and in the left, 20/20. 
Following an examination in 2003, his optometrist certified, ``It is my 
professional opinion that Mr. Adams has adequate vision to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Adams reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 46 years, accumulating 138,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 23 years, accumulating 2.5 million miles. He holds a 
Class AMV CDL from Alabama. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

2. Morris R. Beebe

    Mr. Beebe, 36, has a damaged retina in his right eye due to injury 
at age 6. His visual acuity in the right eye is 20/80 and in the left, 
20/20. Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, 
``It is my belief that Morris has sufficient vision and visual field 
perception in both eyes to be able to operate with a CDL license.'' Mr. 
Beebe reported that he has driven straight trucks for 4 months, 
accumulating 38,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 2 years 
8 months, accumulating 350,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Colorado. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

3. William V. Beekler

    Mr. Beekler, 59, had a branch artery occlusion in his right eye in 
1993. His visual acuity in the right eye is hand motions and in the 
left, 20/20 with correction. His optometrist examined him in 2003 and 
certified, ``In my opinion, Mr. Beekler has sufficient visual function 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Beekler submitted that 
he has driven straight trucks and tractor-trailer combinations for 42 
years, accumulating 840,000 miles in the former and 4.2 million miles 
in the latter. He holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

4. Jerry W. Branning

    Mr. Branning, 58, lost his left eye due to trauma in 1983. His 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20. Following an examination in 
2003, his optometrist certified, ``In my opinion Mr. Branning has 
sufficient vision to exercise the privileges and responsibilities of 
operating a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Branning reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 28 years, accumulating 4.8 million miles. He 
holds a Class A CDL from New Mexico. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no accidents and one conviction for a moving violation--
speeding--in a CMV. He exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph.

5. Dennis R. Burda

    Mr. Burda, 55, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/400 and in the left, 20/20. 
Following an examination in 2003, his optometrist certified, ``It is 
our judgment that Mr. Burda's vision is good enough to operate a 
commercial vehicle with no restrictions day or night.'' Mr. Burda 
submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 37 years, accumulating 
742,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 5 years, 
accumulating 101,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from California. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

6. James A. Busbin, Jr.

    Mr Busbin, 48, has an enlarged blind spot in his right eye 
resulting from an injury at age 4. His best-corrected visual acuity in 
the right eye is 20/50 and in the left, 20/16. Following an examination 
in 2003, his optometrist certified, ``In my opinion, this individual 
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Busbin reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 3 years, accumulating 150,000 miles. He holds a Class DM 
driver's license from Alabama. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

7. Domenic J. Carassai

    Mr. Carassai, 44, has amblyopia in his right eye. His visual acuity 
in the right eye is 20/70 and in the left, 20/20. His ophthalmologist 
examined him in 2002 and stated, ``In our opinion, Mr. Carassai's 
vision is good enough to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Carassai 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, accumulating 
360,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from New Jersey. His driving 
record shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV 
during the last 3 years.

8. Theodore W. Cozat

    Mr. Cozat, 60, lost his right eye at age 10 due to a congenital 
birth defect. His visual acuity in the left eye is 20/20. Following an 
examination in 2003, his optometrist certified, ``In my medical opinion 
he has the vision to operate a commercial vehicle safely, as he has 
done so, for the past 29 years with a reportedly clean driving 
record.'' Mr. Cozat reported that he has driven tractor-trailer 
combinations for 9 years, accumulating 900,000 miles. He holds a Class 
CA CDL from Michigan. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

9. Todd L. Dewey

    Mr. Dewey, 35, has had optic nerve hypoplasia in his right eye for 
4 years. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/400 
and in the left, 20/30. Following an examination in 2002, his 
optometrist certified, ``Based on the above findings, Mr. Dewey appears 
to have sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks associated with 
driving a commercial motor vehicle.'' Mr. Dewey reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 14 years, accumulating 345,000 miles. He 
holds a Class B CDL from Florida. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

10. John F. Dougherty

    Mr. Dougherty, 59, has amblyopia in his right eye. His best-
corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/60 and in the left, 20/
20. Following an examination in 2003, his optometrist stated, ``Mr. 
Dougherty, due to his congenital refractive amblyopia does have reduced 
acuity and peripheral vision. Binocular vision quality is also reduced 
due to the amblyopia. These

[[Page 37199]]

reductions are however not new for Mr. Dougherty. Given his awareness 
of them and his otherwise excellent visual findings, I feel he does 
have sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Dougherty reported that he has driven 
straight trucks for 8 years, accumulating 356,000 miles. He holds a 
Class C driver's license from Pennsylvania. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in 
a CMV.

11. Fred W. Duran

    Mr. Duran, 49, has decreased vision in his left eye due to injury 
at the age of 9. His visual acuity in the right eye is 20/15 and in the 
left, 20/100. His ophthalmologist examined him in 2002 and stated, ``I 
certify that in my opinion, Fred Duran has sufficient vision to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Duran 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 2 years, accumulating 
25,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 26 years, 
accumulating 975,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Mississippi. 
His driving record shows no accidents or convictions for moving 
violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

12. Paul J. Edwards, Sr.

    Mr. Edwards, 65, developed a serous detachment of the macula in his 
left eye in 1977. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 
20/25 and in the left, counting fingers. His ophthalmologist examined 
him in 2002 and certified, ``I believe he has sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Edwards reported that he has driven straight trucks and tractor-
trailer combinations for 20 years, accumulating 100,000 miles in the 
former and 1.8 million miles in the latter. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Virginia. His driving record for the last 3 years shows one accident 
and two convictions for moving violations in a CMV. The moving 
violations were ``failure to obey highway sign'' and exceeding the 
speed limit by 17 mph. The accident occurred when another driver 
changed lanes, striking Mr. Edward's vehicle. The other driver was 
charged with ``improper lane change.'' Mr. Edwards was not cited.

13. William R. Evridge

    Mr. Evridge, 38, has optic atrophy of the left eye resulting from 
trauma at age 9. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 
20/20 and in the left, 20/200. Following an examination in 2003, his 
optometrist certified, ``It is my opinion that Mr. Evridge has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Evridge reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 3 years, accumulating 30,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 22 years, accumulating 1.3 million miles. He holds a 
Class DA CDL from Kentucky. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

14. Kenneth J. Fisk

    Mr. Fisk, 42, has a cataract in his right eye due to injury at age 
7. His best-corrected visual acuity is 20/60 in the right eye and 20/20 
in the left. Following an examination in 2003, his ophthalmologist 
certified, ``Given present medical findings in patient's 20-year 
history of commercial licensure without accident, I would feel the 
patient has sufficient vision to perform his career tasks.'' Mr. Fisk 
reported that he has driven straight trucks for 3 years, accumulating 
225,000 miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 15 years, 
accumulating 1.5 million miles. He holds a Class CA CDL from Michigan. 
His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents and two 
convictions for moving violations--exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph 
and ``impeding traffic''--in a CMV.

15. Leslie W. Good

    Mr. Good, 49, has congenital optic nerve hypoplasia in his left 
eye. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is counting 
fingers and in the left, 20/15. Following an examination in 2002, his 
optometrist certified, ``His vision is adequate for safe operation of a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Good reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 8 years, accumulating 61,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 12 years, accumulating 342,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Oregon. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

16. Michael E. Grens

    Mr. Grens, 56, has reduced vision in his right eye due to trauma in 
1979. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/400 and 
in the left, 20/15. Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist 
certified, ``It appears that Michael Grens has sufficient vision with 
both eyes to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Grens submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 
25 years, accumulating 1.9 million miles, tractor-trailer combinations 
for 8 years, accumulating 800,000 miles, and buses for 3 years, 
accumulating 15,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois. His 
driving record shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations 
in a CMV during the last 3 years.

17. Rodney P. Hains

    Mr. Hains, 42, has had macular scarring in his left eye since 1999. 
His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 and in the 
left, 20/200. His ophthalmologist examined him in 2003 and certified, 
``It is my opinion that you have sufficient vision to safely operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Hains reported that he has driven tractor-
trailer combinations for 15 years, accumulating 1.8 million miles. He 
holds a Class A CDL from North Dakota. His driving record for the last 
3 years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

18. Bruce E. Hemmer

    Mr. Hemmer, 42, has had a corneal scar in his left eye since birth. 
His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/15 and in the 
left, 20/200. Following an examination in 2002, his ophthalmologist 
stated, ``In my medical opinion, it is safe for you to drive a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Hemmer submitted that he has driven straight 
trucks and tractor-trailer combinations for 20 years, accumulating 1.0 
million miles in the former and 1.6 million miles in the latter. He 
holds a Class ABCD CDL from Wisconsin. His driving record for the last 
3 years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a 
CMV.

19. Steven P. Holden

    Mr. Holden, 33, lost his left eye due to trauma at age 9. His 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/15. Following an examination in 
2003, his optometrist certified, ``I do believe he has sufficient 
vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial 
vehicle.'' Mr. Holden reported that he has driven straight trucks and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 11 years, accumulating 165,000 miles 
in the former and 1.9 million miles in the latter. He holds a Class A 
CDL from Maryland. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

20. Russell R. Inlow

    Mr. Inlow, 57, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 and in the left, 20/400. 
Following an examination in 2003, his optometrist certified, ``In my 
medical opinion, Mr. Inlow has

[[Page 37200]]

sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Inlow reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 10 years, accumulating 650,000 miles. He holds a Class E 
driver's license from Missouri. His driving record for the last 3 years 
shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

21. Christopher G. Jarvela

    Mr. Jarvela, 35, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-corrected 
visual acuity in the right eye is 20/25 and in the left, 20/200. His 
optometrist examined him in 2003 and stated, ``It is my conclusion 
based on his visual acuity and his field of vision, that Mr. Jarvela 
has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate 
a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Jarvela reported that he has driven 
tractor-trailer combinations for 10 years, accumulating 400,000 miles. 
He holds a Class CA CDL from Michigan. His driving record shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV during the last 
3 years.

22. Henry Joiner

    Mr. Joiner, 53, has counting fingers vision in his left eye due to 
a congenital cataract. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right 
eye is 20/20. Following an examination in 2003, his ophthalmologist 
certified, ``Mr. Joiner has sufficient vision to perform the driving 
tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Joiner reported 
that he has driven straight trucks and tractor-trailer combinations for 
20 years, accumulating 300,000 miles in the former, and 500,000 miles 
in the latter. He holds a Class A CDL from Mississippi. His driving 
record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for 
moving violations in a CMV.

23. Darrell D. Kropf

    Mr. Kropf, 28, has amblyopia in his left eye. The visual acuity in 
his right eye is 20/15 and in the left, 20/400. His optometrist 
examined him in 2003 and certified, ``In my opinion, Mr. Kropf is 
capable of driving commercial vehicles with the use of outside 
mirrors.'' Mr. Kropf submitted that he has driven tractor-trailer 
combinations for 4 years, accumulating 300,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Illinois. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
accidents and one conviction for a moving violation--``failure to obey 
stop sign''--in a CMV.

24. Brad L. Mathna

    Mr. Mathna, 45, lost his left eye due to an injury that occurred in 
1981. His visual acuity in the right eye is 20/15. Following an 
examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, ``In my opinion, Mr. 
Mathna is able to operate a commercial vehicle at this time and has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required.'' Mr. Mathna 
reported that he has driven tractor-trailer combinations for 27 years, 
accumulating 2.2 million miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Pennsylvania. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

25. William G. McClam

    Mr. McClam, 45, has had a history of injury to his left eye since 
1971. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 and in 
the left, 20/200. Following an examination in 2003, his ophthalmologist 
certified, ``It is my professional opinion Mr. McClam has sufficient 
vision to continue to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. McClam reported that he has driven tractor-
trailer combinations for 24 years, accumulating 1.7 million miles. He 
holds a Class A CDL from South Carolina. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no accidents and one conviction for a moving 
violation--speeding--in a CMV. He exceeded the speed limit by 9 mph.

26. Vincent P. Miller

    Mr. Miller, 42, is blind in his right eye due to an injury 17 years 
ago. His best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye is 20/20. His 
optometrist examined him in 2003 and certified, ``In my professional 
opinion, Mr. Miller has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Miller reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 7 years, accumulating 52,000 miles, and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 6 years, accumulating 135,000 miles. 
He holds a Class A CDL from California. His driving record shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV during the last 
3 years.

27. Warren J. Nyland

    Mr. Nyland, 57, had a retinal detachment in his left eye at the age 
of 13. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/15 and 
in the left, light perception. Following an examination in 2002, his 
optometrist certified, ``It is my medical opinion that Mr. Nyland has 
sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Nyland submitted that he has driven straight 
trucks for 38 years, accumulating 570,000 miles, and tractor-trailer 
combinations for 15 years, accumulating 75,000 miles. He holds a Class 
A CDL from Michigan. His driving record shows no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV during the last 3 years.

28. Dennis M. Prevas

    Mr. Prevas, 46, had a stroke in his left eye in 1983. His visual 
acuity in the right eye is 20/16 and in the left, hand motions. 
Following an examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, ``I feel 
Mr. Prevas has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required 
to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Prevas reported that he has 
driven tractor-trailer combinations for 18 years, accumulating 630,000 
miles. He holds a Class AM CDL from Iowa. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no accidents and one conviction for a moving 
violation--``following too closely''--in a CMV.

29. Terry B. Pritchett

    Mr. Pritchett, 55, lost his right eye due to injury at age 11. His 
visual acuity in the left eye is 20/20 with correction. Following an 
examination in 2002, his optometrist certified, ``In my medical 
opinion, Terry Pritchett has sufficient vision to perform all tasks 
necessary for a commercial driver.'' Mr. Pritchett reported that he has 
driven straight trucks for 25 years, accumulating 650,000 miles. He 
holds a Class B CDL from Georgia. His driving record for the last 3 
years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

30. Greg L. Riles

    Mr. Riles, 52, has counting fingers vision in his right eye due to 
an injury in 1956. His best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye is 
20/15. Following an examination in 2003, his optometrist certified, 
``At this time I would certify in my medical opinion that Mr. Riles has 
more than sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks required to 
operate a commercial vehicle in a safe manner.'' Mr. Riles reported 
that he has driven straight trucks for 30 years, accumulating 36,000 
miles, and tractor-trailer combinations for 6 years, accumulating 
600,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Iowa. His driving record for 
the last 3 years shows no accidents and one conviction for a moving 
violation--speeding--in a CMV. He exceeded the speed limit by 14 mph.

31. Dwayne L. Sandlin

    Mr. Sandlin, 43, incurred a macular scar in his left eye due to 
histoplasmosis in 1996. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right 
eye is 20/20 and in the left,

[[Page 37201]]

20/200. Following an examination in 2002, his ophthalmologist 
certified, ``In my medical opinion, he has sufficient vision to perform 
the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. 
Sandlin reported that he has driven straight trucks for 15 years, 
accumulating 157,000 miles. He holds a Class B CDL from Florida. His 
driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions 
for moving violations in a CMV.

32. Jon D. Schwengel

    Mr. Schwengel, 60, has amblyopia in his left eye. His best-
corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 and in the left, 20/
100. Following an examination in 2003, his optometrist certified, ``He 
is visually capable of handling driving tasks. I would trust him fully 
with any multiple axle vehicle.'' Mr. Schwengel reported that he has 
driven tractor-trailer combinations for 10 years, accumulating 800,000 
miles. He holds a Class A CDL from Illinois. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in 
a CMV.

33. Steven R. Smith

    Mr. Smith, 45, has had a serous maculopathy in his right eye since 
1988. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is counting 
fingers and in the left, 20/20. Following an examination in 2003, his 
ophthalmologist stated, ``In my medical opinion, Mr. Smith has visual 
acuity sufficient to perform driving tasks required to operate a 
commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Smith reported that he has driven straight 
trucks for 18 years, accumulating 198,000 miles, tractor-trailer 
combinations for 14 years, accumulating 1.5 million miles, and buses 
for 1 year, accumulating 57,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Idaho. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents or 
convictions for moving violations in a CMV.

34. Calvin D. Tomlinson

    Mr. Tomlinson, 43, experienced a retinal detachment in his right 
eye in 1974. His best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye is 20/
100 and in the left, 20/20. His optometrist examined him in 2003 and 
certified, ``I believe Mr. Tomlinson would have sufficient vision to 
perform the driving tasks required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' 
Mr. Tomlinson submitted that he has driven straight trucks for 14 
years, accumulating 840,000 miles. He holds a Class A CDL from 
Kentucky. His driving record for the last 3 years shows no accidents 
and two convictions for speeding in a CMV. Mr. Tomlinson exceeded the 
speed limit by 17 mph in one instance and 11 mph in the other.

35. Mona J. van Krieken

    Ms. van Krieken, 45, lost her right eye due to an accident 20 years 
ago. Her best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye is 20/20. An 
ophthalmologist examined her in 2002 and certified, ``In my opinion, 
she has sufficient vision to perform driving tasks as required by an 
operator of a commercial vehicle.'' Ms. van Krieken reported that she 
has driven straight trucks for 5 years, accumulating 32,000 miles, and 
tractor-trailer combinations for 11 years, accumulating 275,000 miles. 
She holds a Class A CDL from Oregon. Her driving record shows no 
accidents or convictions for moving violations in a CMV during the last 
3 years.

36. Paul S. Yocum

    Mr. Yocum, 38, has amblyopia in his left eye. His visual acuity in 
the right eye is 20/20 and in the left, 20/200. Following an 
examination in 2003, his ophthalmologist certified, ``In my medical 
opinion, Mr. Yocum has sufficient vision to perform the driving tasks 
required to operate a commercial vehicle.'' Mr. Yocum reported that he 
has driven straight trucks for 7 years, accumulating 56,000 miles. He 
holds a chauffeur's license from Indiana. His driving record for the 
last 3 years shows no accidents or convictions for moving violations in 
a CMV.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the 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 earlier in the 
notice.

    Issued on: June 17, 2003.
Pamela M. Pelcovits,
Acting Associate Administrator, Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 03-15696 Filed 6-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P