Notice2025-08944
Commercial Driver's License: James D. Welch; Application for Exemption
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 20, 2025
Effective
May 20, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Abstract
FMCSA announces its decision to grant James D. Welch's application for an exemption on behalf of Air Reserve Technicians (ARTs) working under the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) from the requirement to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The Agency has considered the training these individuals must complete on the operation of the U.S. Air Force's CMVs and determined that the terms and conditions of the exemption will likely achieve an equivalent level of safety as would be achieved absent the exemption.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 96 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21540-21541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08944]
[[Page 21540]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0288]
Commercial Driver's License: James D. Welch; Application for
Exemption
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of final disposition; grant of application for exemption
for the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Air Reserve Technicians.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant James D. Welch's
application for an exemption on behalf of Air Reserve Technicians
(ARTs) working under the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) from the
requirement to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate a
commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The Agency has considered the training
these individuals must complete on the operation of the U.S. Air
Force's CMVs and determined that the terms and conditions of the
exemption will likely achieve an equivalent level of safety as would be
achieved absent the exemption.
DATES: The exemption is effective May 20, 2025 and expires May 20,
2030.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernadette Walker, FMCSA Driver and
Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle
Safety Standards; 202-385-2415; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ca88afb8a4abaeafbebeafe4bdaba6a1afb88aaea5bee4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d89abdaab6b9bcbdacacbdf6afb9b4b3bdaa98bcb7acf6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>. If you have
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact
Dockets Operations, (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view any documents mentioned as being available in the docket,
go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2024-0288/document">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2024-0288/document</a> and
choose the document to review. To view comments, click this notice,
then click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have access to the
internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations
on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-9826 before visiting
Dockets Operations.
II. Legal Basis
FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b) 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 the
applicant's safety analysis. The Agency must provide an opportunity for
public comment on the request.
The Agency reviews safety analyses and 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 absent such exemption, pursuant to the standard set forth in
49 U.S.C 31315(b)(1). The Agency must publish its decision in the
Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If granted, the notice will
identify the regulatory provision from which the applicant will be
exempt, the effective period, and will explain all terms and conditions
of the exemption (49 CFR 381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is denied,
the notice will explain the reason for the denial (49 CFR
381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
III. Background
Current Regulatory Requirements
The CDL regulations in 49 CFR part 383 require every person who
operates a CMV, as defined in 49 CFR 383.5, to obtain a CDL. Under 49
CFR 383.3(c), States are required to exempt individuals who operate
CMVs for military purposes from 49 CFR part 383. The exception covers
active-duty military personnel; members of the military reserves;
members of the national guard on active duty, including personnel on
full-time national guard duty, personnel on part-time national guard
training, national guard military technicians (civilians who are
required to wear military uniforms); and active-duty U.S. Coast Guard
personnel. The regulation states that the ``exception is not applicable
to U.S. Reserve technicians.'' The Controlled Substances and Alcohol
Use and Testing regulations in 49 CFR part 382 do not apply to
employers and their drivers who are included in the exception in 49 CFR
383.3(c) (49 CFR 382.103(d)(2)).
Applicant's Request
The application from Mr. Welch was described in detail in a Federal
Register notice published on January 13, 2025, (90 FR 2774) and will
not be repeated here as the facts have not changed. Also, on March 11,
2024, FMCSA granted Mr. Welch's petition for rulemaking to amend 49 CFR
383.3(c) to include ARTs in the exception to the CDL requirements.
IV. Public Comments
The Agency received three comments. One individual supported
granting the exemption, and one commenter, AWM Associates LLC (AWM),
submitted two comments in opposition to granting the exemption.
AWM's first comment questioned if Mr. Welch's application covered
the transportation of hazardous materials and referenced 49 CFR
171.1(d) as a regulation that would provide the requested relief. AWM
stated, ``If the request is strictly bound to the HMR [Hazardous
Materials Regulations], then the concern is moot whereas, government
employees transporting hazardous materials are excepted from the HMR
and if they placarded, it would be allowed vs required negating the
need of a hazardous materials endorsement on a CDL. AWM's second
comment stated, ``Any request for an exemption for reserve technicians
should come from the Department of Defense, not an individual
command.''
Michael Ravnitzky commented in support of granting the exemption:
``Air Reserve Technicians operate primarily on military installations,
where there are multiple layers of safety requirements, including daily
supervision, quality assurance inspections, and base safety oversight.
These controlled environments and preapproved routes ensure that ARTs
maintain a high level of safety in their operations, equivalent to or
greater than that provided by the CDL regulations.''
V. FMCSA Decision
FMCSA has reviewed the comments and Mr. Welch's application and
grants an exemption to ARTs working under the AFRC from the CDL
requirements in 49 CFR part 383.
In response to AWM's comments, the government exception to the
Hazardous Materials Regulations in 49 CFR 171.1(d)(5) does not provide
relief from the CDL requirements in 49 CFR part 383. In addition, FMCSA
may consider the exemption request even though Mr. Welch, and not the
Department of Defense, submitted the request. Under 49 CFR 381.310,
exemption applications must identify the person or class of persons who
would be covered by the exemption. FMCSA's regulations do not limit who
may apply on behalf of a person or class of persons.
[[Page 21541]]
The applicant explains that the exemption would apply to ARTs who
have been trained in their military capacities to transport hazardous
materials . The applicant states that there are multiple layers of
safety in place. First and second line supervisors are present for
daily operations, quality assurance conducts random daily inspections,
and the base safety office also provides oversight. In addition, only
approved routes may be used while transporting hazardous material and
required placarding is used.
FMCSA has previously determined that military training, including
Air Force training, to operate heavy-duty vehicles is ``thorough and
comprehensive'' and compatible with the requirements of FMCSA's Entry-
Level Driver Training Rule (83 FR 48964, 48970).
Just like the National Guard military technicians who are included
in the exception, ARTs are civilians who are, since 2007, required to
wear military uniforms. In addition, FMCSA does not have any evidence
or information that would weigh against granting the exemption.
VI. Exemption Decision
A. Applicability of Exemption
FMCSA grants an exemption, that the AFRC may choose to utilize,
from the CDL requirements in 49 CFR part 383 to ARTs working under the
AFRC while they are operating CMVs for military purposes. Under this
exemption, ARTs are not subject to the drug and alcohol testing
requirements in 49 CFR part 382, which apply only to drivers who are
subject to the CDL requirements in 49 CFR part 383.
B. Terms and Conditions
Prior to utilizing this exemption, the U.S. Air Force Reserve
Command must notify FMCSA that it is doing so, by sending an email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c28f8192918682868d96ec858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="19545a494a5d595d564d375e564f">[email protected]</span></a> from an official U.S. Air Force Reserve Command email
address, with the subject line ``Air Reserve Technicians'' and a
statement in the body of the email that it will begin using the
exemption.
When operating under this exemption, the U.S. Air Force Reserve
Command and ARTs drivers are subject to the following terms and
conditions:
1. Drivers must be ARTs and operating the CMV within the scope of
their duties for the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command;
2. Drivers must be trained by the U.S. Department of Defense to
transport hazardous materials;
3. Drivers must use only routes approved by the U.S. Air Force
Reserve Command while transporting hazardous material and must comply
with applicable placarding requirements;
4. The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command must continue the other
safety oversight activities stated in Mr. Welch's application:
a. Supervisors must be present for daily operations;
b. Random daily inspections must be conducted;
c. The base safety office must provide oversight.
C. 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 that conflicts with or is inconsistent
with this exemption with respect to a person operating under the
exemption.
D. Notification to FMCSA
The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command must notify FMCSA in writing
within 5 business days of any accident, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5,
involving drivers operating under this exemption. The notification must
include the following information:
1. Identifier of the Exemption: ``Air Reserve Technicians''
2. Date of the accident;
3. City or town, and State, in which the accident occurred, or
closest to the accident scene;
4. Driver's name;
5. Number of individuals suffering physical injury;
6. Number of fatalities;
7. The police-reported cause of the crash, if provided by the
enforcement agency; and
8. Whether the driver was cited for violation of any traffic laws,
motor carrier safety regulations.
Reports filed under this provision shall be emailed to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f3beb0a3a0b7b3b7bca7ddb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="29646a797a6d696d667d076e667f">[email protected]</span></a>.
E. Termination
FMCSA does not believe the drivers covered by this exemption will
experience any deterioration of their safety records. However, the
exemption will be rescinded if: (1) the AFRC or the drivers operating
under the exemption fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the
exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety
than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the
exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objects of 49
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b).
Sue Lawless,
Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2025-08944 Filed 5-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 20, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.