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Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Narcolepsy Publication: Federal Register Agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Byline: Larry W. Minor Date: 27 September 2023 Subjects: American Government  , Driver Licensing
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66552-66553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20965]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0141]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Narcolepsy
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of an application from one individual
for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against operation of a commercial motor
vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce by persons with either 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 CMV. If
granted, the exemption would enable this individual who has been
diagnosed with narcolepsy and is receiving medical treatment to operate
CMVs in interstate commerce.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 27, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket
Management System Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0141 using any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/,
insert the docket number (FMCSA-2023-0141) 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, 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-2023-0141), indicate the specific section of
this
[[Page 66553]]
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 https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2023-0141. 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-2023-0141) 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, 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 individual listed in this notice has requested an exemption
from 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8). Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the
qualifications of the applicant to determine whether granting the
exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by
statute.
The physical qualification standard for drivers 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
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. The criteria also
state that a variety of functional disorders can cause drowsiness,
dizziness, confusion, weakness, or paralysis that may lead to
incoordination, inattention, loss of functional control, and
susceptibility to accidents while driving.
In those individual cases where a driver had an epileptic medical
event 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 fully recovered
from that condition, has no existing residual complications, and is not
taking anti-seizure medication.
III. Qualifications of Applicant
Kevin Cunningham
Kevin Cunningham is a commercial driver's license holder in
Tennessee. In a statement dated July 25, 2023, Kevin Cunningham's sleep
medicine provider reported that they were diagnosed with obstructive
sleep apnea and narcolepsy without cataplexy. Their sleep medicine
provider also reported they are treated with a stimulant, compliant
with continuous positive airway pressure treatment, and have no concern
for risk of sleepiness while driving.
IV. Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA requests
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption petition
described in this notice. We will consider all comments received before
the close of business on the closing date indicated in the DATES
section of the notice.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023-20965 Filed 9-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P