[Federal Register: July 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 137)] [Notices] [Page 38699-38701] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr19jy99-131] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA-99-5942] Notice of Request for Clearance of a New Information Collection: Graduated Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Survey AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements in section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, [[Page 38700]] this notice announces the intention of the FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection to query the motor carrier (truck and bus) industry, drivers, driver training schools, insurance companies, and driver licensing and law enforcement agencies about the need for, benefits of, potential acceptance of, institutional barriers and practicality of a graduated commercial driver licensing system and the likely improvements in highway safety, employment opportunities and transportation efficiency. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 17, 1999. ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket number that appears in the heading of this document and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self- addressed, stamped postcard or envelope. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Redmond, Transportation Specialist, (202) 366-4001, Driver Division, Office of Motor Carrier Research and Standards, Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Graduated Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Survey. Background: Conference Report 104-286 to accompanying H.R. 2002 to the Department of Transportation Appropriation Bill (Pub. L. 104-50) directed the FHWA to contract, during FY 1996, with the American Trucking Associations Foundation, Inc., Transportation Research Institute (TRI) to perform applied research to address a number of highway safety issues, such as: driver fatigue and alertness; the application of emerging technologies to ensure safety, productivity and regulatory compliance; and commercial driving licensing, training and education. The amount allocated was to be not less than $4 million. A survey of industry opinion pertaining to a graduated CDL is one of these projects under the congressionally-mandated cooperative agreement with the TRI. Section 4019 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Pub. L. 105-179) directed the Secretary of Transportation to identify the benefits and costs of a graduated CDL system as part of a review of the current CDL testing procedures and to identify methods to improve the testing and licensing standards. The trucking industry alone projects a need for 300,000 new and replacement drivers every year until the turn of the century. In addition to those newly entering the truck driving field, others are constantly transitioning from one type of commercial motor vehicle operation to another. For example, moving from straight trucks to combinations, from tractor-semis to doubles or even triples, from hauling general commodities to motor vehicles or even hazardous materials, moving from school buses to transit buses or motorcoaches, or moving back and forth between various trucks and buses. A graduated or provisional CDL program might go beyond today's CDL requirements to provide for safe introduction of younger drivers into the industry and assure the measured progression of drivers, by proper training and supervision, into more complex driving jobs. Before considering the recommendation and development of a provisional CDL program, it is necessary to better identify the need for and quantify the potential benefits and costs of such a program. TRI, in cooperation with representatives of all segments of the truck and bus industries, will survey representatives of the motor carrier (truck and bus) industry, drivers, driver training schools, insurance companies, and driver licensing and law enforcement agencies, using approximately 15 short response questions with the ability to add narrative comments, about the need for, benefits of, potential acceptance of, institutional barriers and practicality of a graduated commercial driver licensing system and the likely improvements in highway safety, employment opportunities and transportation efficiency. The questions for the written survey will be based on information gathered during previously conducted focus group sessions and will include the importance of certain elements in a graduated driver licensing program such as training, driving record, driving experience, age, testing and restrictions. The study data will be compiled and statistically evaluated. The results of the evaluation and conclusions will be presented in a final report which will address the potential benefits, costs and feasibility of implementing a graduated or provisional CDL program. The results will be used by the FHWA in evaluating the potential for pilot testing the graduated CDL concept and developing a rulemaking based on the results of the pilot study. Respondents: The respondents to the planned survey will include approximately 2,000 selected representatives of the motor carrier (truck and bus) industry, drivers, driver training schools, insurance companies, and driver licensing and law enforcement agencies. Average Burden Per Response: The estimated average burden per response is 15 minutes. This includes the time needed for reading the survey instructions, searching existing data sources, completing the survey instrument and returning the information by mail or transmission by facsimile. Estimated Total Annual Burden: The estimated total annual burden is 500 hours. Frequency: The survey will be conducted once. Public Comments Invited Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including, but not limited to: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FHWA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB clearance of this information collection. Electronic Access An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's home page at: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara. For Internet users, all comments received will be available for examination at the universal source location: http://dms.dot.gov. Please follow the instructions on- line for additional information and guidance. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31136, 31301 et seq., and 31502; and 49 CFR 1.48. [[Page 38701]] Issued on: July 14, 1999. Michael J. Vecchietti, Director, Office of Information and Management Services. [FR Doc. 99-18342 Filed 7-16-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P