Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Larry W. Minor
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
9 March 2017

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13184-13185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04679]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0107]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and 
Seizure Disorders

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemptions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemption of one 
individual 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.'' This exemption 
enables this individual who has had one or more seizures and is taking 
anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate 
commerce.

DATES: The exemption is effective on January 12, 2016. The exemption 
will expire on January 12, 2018. Comments must be received on or before 
April 10, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, 202-366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-224, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have 
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0107 using any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the 
docket number(s) for this notice. Note that all comments received will 
be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below 
for further information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12-140 
on the ground level of

[[Page 13185]]

the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. 
If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please 
include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the 
acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments online.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter provides, to http://www.regulations.gov, as described in 
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed 
at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.

I. Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption 
for two years 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 two-year period.
    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 to assist Medical Examiners in determining whether drivers 
with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in 
interstate commerce. [49 CFR part 391, APPENDIX A TO PART 391--MEDICAL 
ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: Sec.  391.41(b)(8), paragraphs 
3, 4, and 5.]
    The individual listed in this notice has requested renewal of his 
exemption from the Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(8), in accordance with FMCSA procedures. Accordingly, FMCSA 
has evaluated the application for renewal on its merits and decided to 
extend the exemption for a renewable two-year period.

II. Request for Comments

    Interested parties or organizations possessing information that 
would otherwise show that this driver is 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, FMCSA 
will take immediate steps to revoke the exemption of a driver.

III. Basis for Renewing Exemptions

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), an exemption may be granted for no 
longer than two years from its approval date and may be renewed upon 
application. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, the 
applicant has satisfied the conditions for obtaining an exemption from 
the Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder requirements and were published in 
the Federal Register (78 FR 67449). In addition, for Commercial 
Driver's License (CDL) holders, the Commercial Driver's License 
information System (CDLIS) and the Motor Carrier Management Information 
System (MCMIS) are searched for crash and violation data. For non-CDL 
holders, the Agency reviews the driving records from the State Driver's 
Licensing Agency (SDLA). These factors provide an adequate basis for 
predicting each driver's ability to continue to safely operate a CMV in 
interstate commerce.
    The driver in this notice remains in good standing with the Agency, 
has maintained his medical monitoring and has not exhibited any medical 
issues that would compromise his ability to safely operate a CMV during 
the previous two-year exemption period. FMCSA has concluded that 
renewing the exemption for this applicant is likely to achieve a level 
of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. Therefore, 
FMCSA has decided to renew the exemption for a two-year period. In 
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, this driver has received 
a renewed exemption.
    As of January 12, 2016, Lyle Trimm (NJ) has satisfied the renewal 
conditions for obtaining an exemption from the Epilepsy and Seizure 
Disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8), from driving CMVs in 
interstate commerce (78 FR 67449).
    This driver was included in FMCSA-2013-0107. This exemption is 
effective on January 12, 2016, and will expire on January 12, 2018.

IV. 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 two-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 Medical Examiner, as defined by 49 CFR 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.

V. 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.

VI. Conclusion

    Based upon its evaluation of this exemption application, FMCSA 
renews the exemption of the aforementioned driver from the Epilepsy and 
Seizure Disorders requirement in 49 CFR 391.41 (b)(8). In accordance 
with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each exemption will be valid for two 
years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA.

    Issued on: February 28, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-04679 Filed 3-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P