Notice2025-00747
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
Primary source
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Published
January 15, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Abstract
FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for eight 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 90 Issue 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3998-3999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00747]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0444; FMCSA-2015-0323; FMCSA-2018-0052; FMCSA-
2018-0054; FMCSA-2020-0050; FMCSA-2022-0045]
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 eight
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: 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#56303b3525373b33323f35373a1632392278313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="294f444a5a48444c4d404a4845694d465d074e465f">[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-2013-0444, FMCSA-2015-0323, FMCSA-2018-0052, FMCSA-2018-
0054, FMCSA-2020-0050, or FMCSA-2022-0045) 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 <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices">https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices</a>, the comments are searchable by the name of
the submitter.
II. Background
On December 3, 2024, FMCSA published a notice announcing its
decision to renew exemptions for eight 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
[[Page 3999]]
95899). The public comment period ended on January 2, 2025, 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 eight 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 December 12, 2024, and in accordance with
49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following seven 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 95899):
Jesse Hansen (MN)
Thomas Kline (PA)
Jose Lara-Ramirez (NV)
Domenick Panfile (NJ)
Andrew Rieschick (NE)
Stephen St. Marthe (NC)
Carsten Thode (WA)
The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2013-0444, FMCSA-
2018-0052, FMCSA-2018-0054, FMCSA-2020-0050, or FMCSA-2022-0045. Their
exemptions were applicable as of December 12, 2024 and will expire on
December 12, 2026.
As of December 16, 2024, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315(b), Kyle Loney (WA) has satisfied the renewal conditions for
obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders
prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (89 FR 95899).
This driver was included in docket number FMCSA- FMCSA-2015-0323.
The exemption is applicable as of December 16, 2024, and will expire on
December 16, 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. 2025-00747 Filed 1-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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