Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
15 August 2018

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40641-40642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17593]



[[Page 40641]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0026]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes 
Mellitus

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 53 individuals from the 
prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) 
against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from 
operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The 
exemptions enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in 
interstate commerce.

DATES: The exemptions were applicable on June 29, 2018. The exemptions 
expire on June 29, 2020.

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 May 29, 2018, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of 
applications from 53 individuals requesting an exemption from diabetes 
requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) and requested comments from the 
public (83 FR 24555). The public comment period ended on June 28, 2018, 
and three comments were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and 
determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals 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)(3).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding diabetes 
found in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive a CMV if that person has no established medical 
history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring 
insulin for control.

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received three comments in this proceeding. Vicky Johnson 
from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety stated that Minnesota 
has no objections in granting a diabetic exemption to Jeff F. Kress.
    Michael Sommer submitted a comment asking what forms he needs to 
send in to be granted a medical waiver. Information regarding all 
medical exemptions is available on the FMCSA website at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-exemption-programs.
    An anonymous commenter stated that they agree with the renewal of 
the 53 individual exemptions listed in the Federal Register. The 
commenter stated that they feel the guidelines are strict enough to 
allow individuals with ITDM to drive. They also stated that they did 
not see in the Handbook that these drivers are required to have a 
snack, glucometer, or insulin on person while driving. At this time, 
there is no official FMCSA Medical Examiner's Handbook. The handbook 
was removed from the FMCSA website in 2015 because the content is not 
in line with the current regulations and therefore is not endorsed by 
the Agency for use. However, the current exemption document provides to 
the driver written requirements for the driver to maintain appropriate 
medical supplies for glucose management while preparing for the 
operation of a CMV and during its operation. It explains that the 
supplies shall include a digital glucose monitor with computerized 
memory, supplies needed to obtain adequate blood samples and measure 
blood glucose, insulin, and an amount of rapidly absorbable glucose to 
be used as necessary.

IV. Basis for Exemption Determination

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the diabetes standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) if the exemption is 
likely to achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety than would 
be achieved without the exemption. The exemption allows the applicants 
to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
    The Agency's decision regarding these exemption applications is 
based on the program eligibility criteria and an individualized 
assessment of information submitted by each applicant. The 
qualifications, experience, and medical condition of each applicant 
were stated and discussed in detail in the May 29, 2018, Federal 
Register notice (83 FR 24555) and will not be repeated in this notice.
    These 53 applicants have had ITDM over a range of 1 to 48 years. 
These applicants report no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in 
loss of consciousness or seizure, requiring the assistance of another 
person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred 
without warning symptoms, in the past 12 months and no recurrent (two 
or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past five years. In each 
case, an endocrinologist verified that the driver has demonstrated a 
willingness to properly monitor and manage his/her diabetes mellitus, 
received education related to diabetes management, and is on a stable 
insulin regimen. These drivers report no other disqualifying 
conditions, including diabetes related complications. Each meets the 
vision requirement at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).
    Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these 
applicants from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3) is 
likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the 
exemption.

V. Conditions and Requirements

    The terms and conditions of the exemption are provided to the 
applicants in the exemption document and includes the following: (1) 
Each driver must submit a quarterly monitoring checklist completed by 
the treating endocrinologist as well as an annual checklist with a 
comprehensive medical evaluation; (2) each driver must report within 
two business days of occurrence, all episodes of severe hypoglycemia, 
significant

[[Page 40642]]

complications, or inability to manage diabetes; also, any involvement 
in an accident or any other adverse event in a CMV or personal vehicle, 
whether or not it is related to an episode of hypoglycemia; (3) each 
driver must provide a copy of the ophthalmologist's or optometrist's 
report to the Medical Examiner at the time of the annual medical 
examination; and (4) each driver must provide a copy of the annual 
medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver's 
qualification file, or keeping a copy in his/her driver's qualification 
file if he/she is self-employed. The driver must also have a copy of 
the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized 
Federal, State, or local enforcement official.

VI. Preemption

    During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall 
enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with 
respect to a person operating under the exemption.

VII. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of the 53 exemption applications, FMCSA 
exempts the following drivers from the diabetes requirement in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited above:

Gary M. Athanas (OR)
Gary R. Babcock (CT)
Jennifer L. Baker (NC)
Lesley L. Beasley (AL)
Theresa J. Blackman (IN)
Jeffrey D. Boutin (GA)
Douglas P. Chretien (LA)
Eugene V. Cost (ND)
James R. Crump (VA)
James G. Cucinotta (ME)
Bryan S. Davis (VA)
Jeremy C. Durand (NY)
Connie S. Erwin (TN)
Brendan T Farnam (MA)
Randall S. Feldt (IA)
Travis E. Forrest (PA)
Robert R. Frost (PA)
Alexander A. Hegyi (NJ)
Sergio Hernandez (IL)
Scotty A. Hill (NC)
Billie Hinton (NY)
Arild Johansen (ND)
Kaleb N. Jones (IL)
Reginald Jones (NC)
Kevin R. Kerrigan (MI)
William R. Koepplin (ND)
Jeff F. Kress (MN)
Eric J. Kuster (IA)
Michael P. Labrosse (NY)
Michael J. Mason (GA)
Chad W. Moore (MO)
Walter N. Morphew, Jr. (IN)
Edward C. Mulvenna, Jr. (NJ)
Jeffrey C. Olson (SD)
Robin L. Phillips (PA)
Roosevelt Price (MS)
William P. Raben (AL)
Dennis B. Segel (WA)
Daniel A. Slattery (IN)
Mathew C. Smart (TX)
Jeffrey J. Smith (VA)
Charles D. Smith, Jr. (IN)
Patrick J. Snell (IA)
Rodney M. Stephens (PA)
Robert A. Swasey, Jr. (ME)
Kevin R. Terpstra (IL)
Richard D. Thompson (NY)
William D. Thull (IL)
Billy J. Thurnall (IN)
John T. Tuck, Jr. (NJ)
Roy D. Wendte (IL)
Bailey Westgate (ID)
Walter L. Williams (AR)

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 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(e) and 31315.

    Issued on: August 9, 2018.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-17593 Filed 8-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P