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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: 13 September 2023 Subjects: American Government  , Driver Licensing
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62884-62886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19754]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0036]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and
Seizure Disorders
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 12 individuals
for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis
of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of
consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor
vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the
exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more
seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in
interstate commerce.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 13, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket
Management System Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0036 using any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/,
insert the docket number (FMCSA-2023-0036) in the keyword box and click
``Search.'' Next, choose the only notice listed, and click on the
``Comment'' button. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Mail: Dockets Operations; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 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 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-2023-0036), 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
[[Page 62885]]
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 https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2023-0036/document. Next, choose the only 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-2023-0036) in the keyword box and click ``Search.'' Next,
choose the only 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. 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 12 individuals listed in this notice have requested an
exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(8). Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications
of each applicant to determine whether granting the exemption will
achieve the required level of safety mandated by statute.
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 (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 criteria states that if an individual has had a sudden episode
of a non-epileptic seizure or loss of consciousness of unknown cause
that did not require anti-seizure medication, the decision whether that
person's condition is likely to cause the loss of consciousness or loss
of ability to control a CMV should be made on an individual basis by
the ME in consultation with the treating physician. Before
certification is considered, it is suggested that a 6-month waiting
period elapse from the time of the episode. Following the waiting
period, it is suggested that the individual have a complete
neurological examination. If the results of the examination are
negative and anti-seizure medication is not required, then the driver
may be qualified.
In those individual cases where a driver has had a seizure or an
episode of loss of consciousness that resulted from a known medical
condition (e.g., drug reaction, high temperature, acute infectious
disease, dehydration, or acute metabolic disturbance), certification
should be deferred until the driver has recovered fully from that
condition, has no existing residual complications, and is not taking
anti-seizure medication.
Drivers who have a history of epilepsy/seizures, off anti-seizure
medication, and seizure-free for 10 years, may be qualified to operate
a CMV in interstate commerce. Interstate drivers with a history of a
single unprovoked seizure may be qualified to drive a CMV in interstate
commerce if seizure-free and off anti-seizure medication for a 5-year
period or more.
As a result of MEs misinterpreting advisory criteria as regulation,
numerous drivers have been prohibited from operating a CMV in
interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more
seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication, rather than an
individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified ME based on
the physical qualification standards and medical best practices.
On January 15, 2013, FMCSA announced in a notice of final
disposition titled, ``Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications;
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders,'' (78 FR 3069), its decision to grant
requests from 22 individuals for exemptions from the regulatory
requirement that interstate 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.'' Since that time, the Agency has published additional
notices granting requests from individuals for exemptions from the
regulatory requirement regarding epilepsy found in Sec. 391.41(b)(8).
To be considered for an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure
disorders prohibition in Sec. 391.41(b)(8), applicants must meet the
criteria in the 2007 recommendations of the Agency's Medical Expert
Panel (78 FR 3069).
III. Qualifications of Applicants
Colton Braun
Colton Braun is a 27-year-old class DM license holder in Illinois.
They have a history of epilepsy and have been seizure free since
February 2014. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same since 2013. Their physician states that
they are supportive of Colton Braun receiving an exemption.
Adam Brunson
Adam Brunson is a 50-year-old class AM commercial driver's license
(CDL) holder in Alabama. They have a history of seizure disorder and
have been seizure free since 2010. They take anti-
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seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same
since 2021. Their physician states that they are supportive of Adam
Brunson receiving an exemption.
Alan Glinsmann
Alan Glinsmann is a 65-year-old class AM CDL holder in Kansas. They
have a history of post traumatic seizures and have been seizure free
since January 1981. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage
and frequency remaining the same since 1983. Their physician states
that they are supportive of Alan Glinsmann receiving an exemption.
Alex Hunter
Alex Hunter is a 61-year-old class 1 license holder in South
Dakota. They have a history of generalized idiopathic epilepsy and have
been seizure free since January 2015. They take anti-seizure medication
with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since 2018. Their
physician states that they are supportive of Alex Hunter receiving an
exemption.
Kyle Jones
Kyle Jones is a 54-year-old class A CDL holder in Indiana. They
have a history of seizure disorder and have been seizure free since
2012. They have not taken anti-seizure medication since 2014. Their
physician states that they are supportive of Kyle Jones receiving an
exemption.
Ryan McKnelly
Ryan McKnelly is a 45-year-old class A CDL holder in South Dakota.
They have a history of generalized idiopathic epilepsy and have been
seizure free since 2001. They take anti-seizure medication with the
dosage and frequency remaining the same since 2003. Their physician
states that they are supportive of Ryan McKnelly receiving an
exemption.
Alfonso V. Mendoza
Alfonso V. Mendoza is a 33-year-old class C license holder in
California. They have a history of seizure disorder and have been
seizure free since December 2008. They take anti-seizure medication
with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since 2008. Their
physician states that they are supportive of Alfonso V. Mendoza
receiving an exemption.
Jerrid Pace
Jerrid Pace is a 33-year-old class A CDL holder in Tennessee. They
have a history of complex partial seizure and have been seizure free
since 2015. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same since 2013. Their physician states that
they are supportive of Jerrid Pace receiving an exemption.
Elsa Santo
Elsa Santo is a 62-year-old class B license holder in New Jersey.
They have a history of epilepsy and have been seizure free since May
2015. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency
remaining the same since November 2015. Their physician states that
they are supportive of Elsa Santo receiving an exemption.
Brandon Schindele
Brandon Schindele is a 39-year-old class D license holder in
Minnesota. They have a history of seizure disorder and have been
seizure free since 1995. They take anti-seizure medication with the
dosage and frequency remaining the same since 1993. Their physician
states that they are supportive of Brandon Schindele receiving an
exemption.
Travis Stevens
Travis Stevens is a 33-year-old class 0 license holder in Michigan.
They have a history of grand mal epilepsy and have been seizure free
since August 2008. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage
and frequency remaining the same since August 2013. Their physician
states that they are supportive of Travis Stevens receiving an
exemption.
Brad Wetli
Brad Wetli is a 44-year-old class A CDL holder in Indiana. They
have a history of seizure disorder and have been seizure free since
1997. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency
remaining the same since 1997. Their physician states that they are
supportive of Brad Wetli receiving an exemption.
IV. Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA requests
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petitions
described in this notice. We will consider all comments received before
the close of business on the closing date indicated under the DATES
section of the notice.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023-19754 Filed 9-12-23; 8:45 am]
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