Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
6 June 2017

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26217-26218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11651]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0109; FMCSA-2013-0444]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and 
Seizure Disorders

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA confirms its decision to renew exemptions for 10 
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 was effective on the dates 
stated in the discussions below and will expire on the dates stated in 
the discussions below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-224, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have 
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document 
Management System (FDMS) at: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12-140 on the 
ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter provides, to http://www.regulations.gov, as described in 
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed 
at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On October 20, 2016, FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for 10 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 (81 FR 
72663). The public comment period ended on November 21, 2016, and one 
comment was received on January 12, 2017, FMCSA published a second 
notice announcing its decision to renew exemptions for the same 10 
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 (81 FR 72663). The public comment period ended 
on February 13, 2017, and no comments were received.
    As stated in the previous notice, FMCSA has evaluated the 
eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing these 
exemptions would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater 
than the level that would be achieved by complying with the current 
regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding epilepsy 
found in 49 CFR 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 to assist Medical Examiners in determining whether drivers 
with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in 
interstate commerce. [49 CFR part 391, APPENDIX A TO PART 391--MEDICAL 
ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: Sec.  391.41(b)(8), paragraphs 
3, 4, and 5.]

III. Discussion of Comments

    In response to the October 20, 2016, notice, FMCSA received one 
comment in support of Mr. Troff receiving an exemption. No comments 
were received in response to the January 12, 2017 notice.

[[Page 26218]]

IV. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the 10 renewal exemption applications 
and comments received, FMCSA confirms its' decision to exempt the 
following drivers from the Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders requirement 
in 49 CFR 391.41 (b)(8), subject to the requirements cited above.
    As of June 9, 2016, David Crowe (VA), has satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the Epilepsy and Seizure 
Disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8), from driving CMVs in 
interstate commerce (81 FR 72663). This driver was included in FMCSA-
2013-0109. This exemption was effective on June 9, 2016, and will 
expire on June 9, 2018.
    As of June 24, 2016, the following 9 individuals have satisfied the 
renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the Epilepsy and 
Seizure Disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) from driving CMVs 
in interstate commerce (81 FR 72663):

Travis Arend (VA)
Heath Crowe (LA)
Richard Degnan (AZ)
Peter DellaRocco (PA)
Domenick Panfie (NJ)
Scott Reaves (TX)
Milton Tatham (NV)
Thomas Tincher (VA)
Duane Troff (MN)

    These drivers were included in FMCSA-2013-0444. These exemptions 
were effective June 24, 2016, and will expire June 24, 2018.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, each exemption will be valid 
for two 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 and 
31315.

    Issued on: May 26, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-11651 Filed 6-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P