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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: 30 June 2023 Subjects: American Government  , Driver Licensing
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42417-42419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13984]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2008-0355; FMCSA-2011-0089; FMCSA-2014-0382; FMCSA-
2015-0323; FMCSA-2018-0057; FMCSA-2019-0028; FMCSA-2019-0029; FMCSA-
2021-0025]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and
Seizure Disorders
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces 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 were applicable on the dates
stated in the discussions below and will expire on the dates stated in
the discussions below. Comments must be received on or before July 31,
2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket
Management System Docket No. FMCSA-2008-0355, Docket No. FMCSA-2011-
0089, Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0382, Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0323, Docket
No. FMCSA-2018-0057, Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0028, Docket No. FMCSA-2019-
0029, or Docket No. FMCSA-2021-0025 using any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/,
insert the docket number (FMCSA-2008-0355, FMCSA-2011-0089, FMCSA-2014-
0382, FMCSA-2015-0323, FMCSA-2018-0057, FMCSA-2019-0028, FMCSA-2019-
0029, or FMCSA-2021-0025) in the keyword box and click ``Search.''
Next, sort the results by ``Posted (Newer-Older),'' choose the first
notice listed, and click on the ``Comment'' button. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Dockets Operations; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200
[[Page 42418]]
New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-
0001.
Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001 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, 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. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
notice (Docket No. FMCSA-2008-0355, Docket No. FMCSA-2011-0089, Docket
No. FMCSA-2014-0382, Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0323, Docket No. FMCSA-2018-
0057, Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0028, Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0029, or Docket
No. FMCSA-2021-0025), 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 www.regulations.gov/, insert
the docket number (FMCSA-2008-0355, FMCSA-2011-0089, FMCSA-2014-0382,
FMCSA-2015-0323, FMCSA-2018-0057, FMCSA-2019-0028, FMCSA-2019-0029, or
FMCSA-2021-0025) in the keyword box and click ``Search.'' Next, sort
the results by ``Posted (Newer-Older),'' choose the first notice
listed, click the ``Comment'' 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. FMCSA will consider all comments and
material received during the comment period.
B. Viewing Comments
To view comments go to www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket
number (FMCSA-2008-0355, FMCSA-2011-0089, FMCSA-2014-0382, FMCSA-2015-
0323, FMCSA-2018-0057, FMCSA-2019-0028, FMCSA-2019-0029, or FMCSA-2021-
0025) 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.
C. 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
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 statutes also allow the Agency to renew exemptions at
the end of the 5-year period. However, 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 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 10 individuals 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 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), each of the 10
applicants has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an
exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition. The 10
drivers in this notice remain in good standing with the Agency, have
maintained their medical monitoring and have 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
[[Page 42419]]
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.
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following
groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of July and
are discussed below.
As of July 5, 2023, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315(b), the following two individuals have satisfied the renewal
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure
disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers:
Alan Finlayson (AL); and Stephen Harmon (WV).
The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2015-0323 or
FMCSA-2019-0029. Their exemptions are applicable as of July 5, 2023 and
will expire on July 5, 2025.
As of July 12, 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:
Prince Austin, Jr. (OH)
Frank Cekovic (PA)
Martin Ford (MS)
David Johnston (MN)
Enrico Mucci (PA)
Charles Skelton (AL)
Kevin Wiggins (KY)
The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2008-0355, FMCSA-
2011-0089, FMCSA-2014-0382, FMCSA-2018-0057, or FMCSA-2019-0028. Their
exemptions are applicable as of July 12, 2023 and will expire on July
12, 2025.
As of July 30, 2023, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315(b), Charles Anthony (ND) has satisfied the renewal conditions for
obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders
prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers.
The driver was included in docket number FMCSA-2021-0025. Their
exemption is applicable as of July 30, 2023 and will expire on July 30,
2025.
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 10 exemption applications, 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.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023-13984 Filed 6-29-23; 8:45 am]
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