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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: 7 February 2024
Subjects: American Government , Driver Licensing 
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8483-8484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02473]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2006-25854; FMCSA-2013-0106; FMCSA-2013-0107; FMCSA-
2013-0108; FMCSA-2015-0117; FMCSA-2015-0119; FMCSA-2017-0178; FMCSA-
2018-0052; FMCSA-2019-0028]


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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 11 
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, 
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-2006-25854, FMCSA-2013-0106, FMCSA-2013-0107, FMCSA-2013-
0108, FMCSA-2015-0117, FMCSA-2015-0119, FMCSA-2017-0178, FMCSA-2018-
0052, or FMCSA-2019-0028) 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 December 21, 2023, FMCSA published a notice announcing its 
decision to renew exemptions for 11 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 
88486). The public comment period ended on January 22, 2024, and no 
comments were 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding.

IV. Conclusion

    Based on its evaluation of the 11 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).
    As of December 16, 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 88486):

Eric Barnwell (MI)
Christopher Bird (OH)
Scott DeJarnette (KY)
Curtis Alan Hartman (MD)
Wendell Headley (MO)
Jason Kirkham (WI)
Dannie Kuck (MT)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2013-0106, FMCSA-
2013-0107, FMCSA-2015-0117, FMCSA-2015-0119, FMCSA-2017-0178, or FMCSA-
2018-0052. Their exemptions were applicable as of December 16, 2023, 
and will expire on December 16, 2025.
    As of December 23, 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 88486):

Gary Freeman (WI)
Aaron Gillette (SD)
David Kestner (VA)
Brent Mapes (IL)

    The drivers were included in docket numbers FMCSA-2006-25854, 
FMCSA-2013-0108, or FMCSA-2019-0028. Their exemptions were applicable 
as of December 23, 2023, and will expire on December 23, 2025.
    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

[[Page 8484]]

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. 2024-02473 Filed 2-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P




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