Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
6 April 2020

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 66 (Monday, April 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19226-19227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07123]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0107; FMCSA-2015-0119; FMCSA 2015-0320]


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 announces its decision to renew exemptions for seven 
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 January 21, 2020. The 
exemptions expire on January 21, 2022.

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. Viewing Documents and Comments

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2013-0107 or http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2015-0119 or http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2015-0320 and 
choose the document to review. If you do not have access to the 
internet, you may view the docket online by visiting 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.

B. 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.transportation.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On January 27, 2020, FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for seven 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 (85 
FR 4760). The public comment period ended on February 26, 2020, and one 
comment was received.
    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 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 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol5/pdf/CFR-2015-title49-vol5-part391-appA.pdf.
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III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received one comment in this proceeding. This comment 
supported granting these exemptions.

IV. Conclusion

    Based on its evaluation of the seven renewal exemption applications 
and comment 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 January 21, 2022, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) 
and

[[Page 19227]]

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 (85 FR 
4760):

Thomas DeAngelo (IL)
Nathan Dermer (AK)
Toriano Mitchell (OH)
Tyler Schaefer (ME)
Stephen Stawinsky (PA)
Alvin Strite (PA)
Thomas Vivirito (PA)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2013-0107; FMCSA-
2015-0119; and FMCSA-2015-0320. Their exemptions are applicable as of 
January 21, 2020, and will expire on January 21, 2022.
    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. 2020-07123 Filed 4-3-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P