Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders |
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Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
4 December 2019
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66454-66455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26188]
[[Page 66454]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0118]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and
Seizure Disorders
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew an exemption for one
individual 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 exemption
enables this individual who has had one or more seizures and are taking
anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate
commerce.
DATES: The exemption was applicable on October 22, 2019. The exemption
expires on October 22, 2021. Comments must be received on or before
January 3, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0118, using any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D= FMCSA-2015-0118. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Operations; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
See the ``Public Participation'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments.
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.,
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket,
contact Docket Operations, (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
A. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
notice (Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0118), indicate the specific section of
this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for
each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and
material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only
one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a
mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of
your document so that FMCSA can contact you if there are questions
regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to FMCSA-2015-0118. Click on the
``Comment Now!'' button and type your comment into the text box on the
following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an
individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit.
If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would
like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped,
self-addressed postcard or envelope.
FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the
comment period.
B. Viewing Documents and Comments
To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice
as being available in the docket, go to FMCSA-2015-0118 and choose the
document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may
view the docket online by visiting the Docket Operations in Room W12-
140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
C. 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 www.regulations.gov, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.dot.gov/privacy.
II. Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption
from the FMCSRs for no longer than a 5-year period if it finds such
exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to,
or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such
exemption. The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at
the end of the 5-year period. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the
FMCSRs for a 2-year period to align with the maximum duration of a
driver's medical certification.
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 \1\ to assist medical examiners (MEs) 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
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol5/pdf/CFR-2015-title49-vol5-part391-appA.pdf.
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The individual listed in this notice have requested renewal of
their exemptions from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in
Sec. 391.41(b)(8), in accordance with FMCSA procedures. Accordingly,
FMCSA has evaluated these applications for renewal on their merits and
decided to extend each exemption for a renewable 2-year period.
III. Request for Comments
Interested parties or organizations possessing information that
would otherwise show that any, or all, of these drivers are not
currently achieving the statutory level of safety should immediately
notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any adverse evidence submitted
and, if safety is being compromised or if continuation of the exemption
would not be consistent
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with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA
will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a driver.
IV. Basis for Renewing Exemptions
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the applicant
has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from
the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition. The driver in this
notice remains in good standing with the Agency, has maintained their
medical monitoring and has not exhibited any medical issues that would
compromise their ability to safely operate a CMV during the previous 2-
year exemption period. In addition, for Commercial Driver's License
(CDL) holders, the Commercial Driver's License Information System and
the Motor Carrier Management Information System are searched for crash
and violation data. For non-CDL holders, the Agency reviews the driving
records from the State Driver's Licensing Agency. These factors provide
an adequate basis for predicting each driver's ability to continue to
safely operate a CMV in interstate commerce. Therefore, FMCSA concludes
that extending the exemption for each renewal applicant for a period of
2 years is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing
without the exemption.
As of October 22, 2019, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315(b), Anthony Martens (SD) has satisfied the renewal conditions
for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders
prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers.
This driver was included in docket number FMCSA-2015-0118. The
exemption is applicable as of October 22, 2019, and will expire on
October 22, 2021.
V. Conditions and Requirements
The exemptions are extended subject to the following conditions:
(1) Each driver must remain seizure-free and maintain a stable
treatment during the 2-year exemption period; (2) each driver must
submit annual reports from their treating physicians attesting to the
stability of treatment and that the driver has remained seizure-free;
(3) each driver must undergo an annual medical examination by a
certified ME, as defined by Sec. 390.5; 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 keep a copy of 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. The
exemption will be rescinded if: (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 before it was 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).
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 on its evaluation of the one exemption application, FMCSA
renews the exemptions of the aforementioned drivers from the epilepsy
and seizure disorders prohibition in Sec. 391.41(b)(8). In accordance
with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), each exemption will be valid for
2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA.
Issued on: November 26, 2019.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-26188 Filed 12-3-19; 8:45 am]
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