Notice2024-11273
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
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 23, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Abstract
FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have "no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV." The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 101 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45733-45734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11273]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0320; FMCSA-2021-0026]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and
Seizure Disorders
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of final disposition.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six
individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of
epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of
consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions
enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are
taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce.
DATES: The exemptions were applicable on April 11, 2024. The exemptions
expire on April 11, 2026. Each group of renewed exemptions were
applicable on the dates stated in the discussions below and will expire
on the dates provided below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief,
Medical Programs Division, FMCSA, DOT, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202) 366-4001, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7a1c1719091b171f1e13191b163a1e150e541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5432393727353931303d37353814303b207a333b22">[email protected]</span></a>. Office
hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting
material to the docket, contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
A. Viewing Comments
To view comments go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Insert the docket
number (FMCSA-2015-0320, or FMCSA-2021-0026) in the keyword box and
click ``Search.'' Next, sort the results by ``Posted (Newer-Older),''
choose the first notice listed, and 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. ET 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.
B. Privacy Act
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(6), DOT solicits comments
from the public on the exemption request. DOT posts these comments,
without edit, including any personal information the commenter
provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. As described in the system of records
notice DOT/ALL 14 (Federal Docket Management System), which can be
reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-
act-system-
[[Page 45734]]
records-notices, the comments are searchable by the name of the
submitter.
II. Background
On April 8, 2024, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision
to renew exemptions for six individuals from the epilepsy and seizure
disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) to operate a CMV in
interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (89 FR
24568). The public comment period ended on May 8, 2024, and no comments
were received.
FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and
determined that renewing these exemptions would likely achieve a level
of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would
be achieved by complying with Sec. 391.41(b)(8).
The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding epilepsy
found in Sec. 391.41(b)(8) states that a person is physically
qualified to drive a CMV if that person has no established medical
history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which
is likely to cause the loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to
control a CMV.
In addition to the regulations, FMCSA has published advisory
criteria \1\ to assist medical examiners in determining whether drivers
with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in
interstate commerce.
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\1\ These criteria may be found in APPENDIX A TO PART 391--
MEDICAL ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: Sec. 391.41(b)(8),
paragraphs 3, 4, and 5, which is available on the internet at
<a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol5/pdf/CFR-2015-title49-vol5-part391-appA.pdf">https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol5/pdf/CFR-2015-title49-vol5-part391-appA.pdf</a>.
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III. Discussion of Comments
FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding.
IV. Conclusion
Based on its evaluation of the six renewal exemption applications
and comments received, FMCSA announces its decision to exempt the
following drivers from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition
in Sec. 391.41(b)(8).
As of April 11, 2024, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315(b), the following six individuals have satisfied the renewal
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure
disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (89 FR
24568):
Michael Davee (CA)
Thomas DeAngelo (IL)
Jacoby Hitchcock (IA)
Lance Johnson (TN)
Edna Merritt (TN)
Kevin Podman (IL)
The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2015-0320, or
FMCSA-2021-0026. Their exemptions were applicable as of April 11, 2024
and will expire on April 11, 2026.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid
for 2 years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA.
The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) the person
fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the
exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained
prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not
be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315(b).
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024-11273 Filed 5-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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