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Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Publication: Federal Register Agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Byline: Larry W. Minor Date: 24 May 2023 Subject: American Government 
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33664-33665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11065]
[[Page 33664]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0379; FMCSA-2016-0011; FMCSA-2016-0313; FMCSA-
2018-0057; FMCSA-2020-0045; FMCSA-2020-0047; FMCSA-2020-0053]
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 13
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, Room
W64-224, Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202) 366-4001,
fmcsamedical@dot.gov. 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 www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket
number (FMCSA-2014-0379, FMCSA-2016-0011, FMCSA-2016-0313, FMCSA-2018-
0057, FMCSA-2020-0045, FMCSA-2020-0047, or FMCSA-2020-0053) 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 www.regulations.gov. As described in the system of records
notice DOT/ALL 14 (Federal Docket Management System), which can be
reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices, the comments are searchable by the name of
the submitter.
II. Background
On April 12, 2023, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision
to renew exemptions for 13 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 (88 FR
22084). The public comment period ended on May 12, 2023, and one
comment was 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
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. The commenter
believes the requirement for number of years an applicant is seizure
free should be extended for a longer period.
FMCSA has granted these exemptions on the basis that all applicants
have maintained their medical monitoring and have not exhibited any
medical issues that would compromise their ability to safely operate a
CMV. In addition, these applicants have been consistently monitored
throughout their time of holding an exemption showing the maintenance
of their conditions.
IV. Conclusion
Based on its evaluation of the 13 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).
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following
groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of April and
are discussed below.
As of April 2, 2023, 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 (88 FR
22084):
Sayed Abbed (IL)
Steven Claphan (MI)
Brian Klein (IN)
Thomas Marx (WA)
Jeb McCulla (LA)
Jeffrey Smith, Jr. (FL)
Eric Smits (WI)
The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2020-0045, FMCSA-
2020-0047, or FMCSA-2020-0047. Their exemptions were applicable as of
April 2, 2023 and will expire on April 2, 2025.
As of April 30, 2023, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315(b), the following six individuals have satisfied the renewal
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure
disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (88 FR
22084):
Ryan Babler (WI)
Bradley Hollister (PA)
Sheldon Martin (NY)
Larry Nicholson (NC)
Edgar Snapp (IN)
Daniel Zielinski (OR)
The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2014-0379, FMCSA-
2016-0011, FMCSA-2016-0313 or FMCSA-2018-0057. Their exemptions were
applicable as of April 30, 2023 and will expire on April 30, 2025.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid
[[Page 33665]]
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. 2023-11065 Filed 5-23-23; 8:45 am]
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