On January 21, 2022 (87 FR 3390), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a final rule in the federal register amending its regulations in 49 CFR Part 391 to permit individuals who do not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the existing distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard, or both, to be physically qualified to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce under specified conditions. Currently, such individuals are prohibited from driving CMVs in interstate commerce unless they obtain an exemption from FMCSA. The new alternative vision standard replaces the current vision exemption program as the basis for determining the physical qualification of these individuals. Comments on the information collections in this final rule must be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by February 22, 2022. Petitions for Reconsideration of this final rule must be submitted to the FMCSA Administrator no later than February 22, 2022. This final rule is effective on March 22, 2022.

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FMCSA 01-21-2022 final rule Part 391 new vision alternative