89008 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Notices 

1These criteria may be found in APPENDIX A TO 

PART 391—MEDICAL ADVISORY CRITERIA, 

section H. Epilepsy: § 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. 

1These criteria may be found in APPENDIX A TO 

PART 391—MEDICAL ADVISORY CRITERIA, 

section H. Epilepsy: § 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. 

391.41(b)(8) to operate a CMV in 

interstate commerce and requested 

comments from the public (88 FR 

75091). The public comment period 

ended on December 1, 2023, 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 § 391.41(b)(8). 

The physical qualification standard 

for drivers regarding epilepsy found in 

§ 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. 

III. Discussion of Comments 

FMCSA received no comments in this 

proceeding. 

IV. Conclusion 

Based on its evaluation of the three 

renewal exemption applications FMCSA 

announces its decision to exempt the 

following drivers from the epilepsy and 

seizure disorders prohibition in 

§ 391.41(b)(8). 

As of December 1, 2023, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following three 

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 74560): 

Brian Bommer (OH); David Kietzman 

(WI); and Jerel Sayers (ID). 

The drivers were included in docket 

number FMCSA–2008–0355, 

FMCSA–2019–0031, or FMCSA– 

2020–0047. Their exemptions were 

applicable as of November 6, 2023 and 

will expire on November 6, 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 

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. 2023–28398 Filed 12–22–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2023–0038] 

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 exempt 17 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 operate CMVs in 

interstate commerce. 

DATES: The exemptions were applicable 

on December 5, 2023. The exemptions 

expire on December 5, 2025. 

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–2023–0038) in the 

keyword box and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, 

sort the results by ‘‘Posted (OlderNewer),’’ 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 

requests. 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-systemrecords-notices, the comments are 

searchable by the name of the submitter. 

II. Background 

On October 31, 2023, FMCSA 

published a notice announcing receipt 

of applications from 17 individuals 

requesting an exemption from the 

epilepsy and seizure disorders 

prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) and 

requested comments from the public (88 

FR 74557). The public comment period 

ended on November 30, 2023, and no 

comments were received. 

FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility 

of these applicants and determined that 

granting exemptions to these 

individuals would likely achieve a level 

of safety that is equivalent to, or greater 

than, the level that would be achieved 

by complying with § 391.41(b)(8). 

The physical qualification standard 

for drivers regarding epilepsy found in 

§ 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 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Notices 89009 

to operate a CMV in interstate 

commerce. 

III. Discussion of Comments 

FMCSA received no comments in this 

proceeding. 

IV. Basis for Exemption Determination 

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 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 Agency’s decision regarding these 

exemption applications is based on the 

2007 recommendations of the Agency’s 

Medical Expert Panel. The Agency 

conducted an individualized assessment 

of each applicant’s medical information, 

including the root cause of the 

respective seizure(s) and medical 

information about the applicant’s 

seizure history, the length of time that 

has elapsed since the individual’s last 

seizure, the stability of each individual’s 

treatment regimen and the duration of 

time on or off of anti-seizure 

medication. In addition, the Agency 

reviewed the treating clinician’s 

medical opinion related to the ability of 

the driver to safely operate a CMV with 

a history of seizure and each applicant’s 

driving record found in the Commercial 

Driver’s License Information System for 

commercial driver’s license (CDL) 

holders, and interstate and intrastate 

inspections recorded in the Motor 

Carrier Management Information 

System. For non-CDL holders, the 

Agency reviewed the driving records 

from the State Driver’s Licensing 

Agency. A summary of each applicant’s 

seizure history was discussed in the 

November 30, 2023, Federal Register 

notice (88 FR 74557) and will not be 

repeated in this notice. 

These 17 applicants have been 

seizure-free over a range of 29 years 

while taking anti-seizure medication 

and maintained a stable medication 

treatment regimen for the last 2 years. In 

each case, the applicant’s treating 

physician verified his or her seizure 

history and supports the ability to drive 

commercially. 

The Agency acknowledges the 

potential consequences of a driver 

experiencing a seizure while operating a 

CMV. However, the Agency believes the 

drivers granted this exemption have 

demonstrated that they are unlikely to 

have a seizure and their medical 

condition does not pose a risk to public 

safety. 

Consequently, FMCSA finds further 

that in each case exempting these 

applicants from the epilepsy and seizure 

disorder prohibition in § 391.41(b)(8) 

would likely achieve a level of safety 

equal to that existing without the 

exemption, consistent with the 

applicable standard in 49 U.S.C. 

31315(b)(1). 

V. Conditions and Requirements 

The terms and conditions of the 

exemption are provided to the 

applicants in the exemption document 

and include the following: (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 § 390.5T; 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 selfemployed. The driver must also have a 

copy of the exemption when driving, for 

presentation to a duly authorized 

Federal, State, or local enforcement 

official. 

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 upon its evaluation of the 17 

exemption applications, FMCSA 

exempts the following drivers from the 

epilepsy and seizure disorder 

prohibition in § 391.41(b)(8), subject to 

the requirements cited above: 

James Byrd (TN) 

Francis Chiacchieri (MA) 

Lane Freeman (FL) 

Jeffrey Gomall (MN) 

Christine Green-McClure (NY) 

Nicholas Hayes (VA) 

Alex Hohman (PA) 

Michelle Hughes (NC) 

Michael Keys (PA) 

Matthew Lee (GA) 

Lisa Martin (NY) 

Pedro Martinez (TX) 

Cecil Massey (MS) 

James Phillips (NC) 

Joshua Pike (ME) 

Alex Ramerth (MN) 

Maciej Skrzyniarz (IL) 

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 

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, 49 

U.S.C. chapter 313, or the FMCSRs. 

Larry W. Minor, 

Associate Administrator for Policy. 

[FR Doc. 2023–28402 Filed 12–22–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2023–0040] 

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption 

Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure 

Disorders 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of denials. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its 

decision to deny applications from 26 

individuals who requested an 

exemption from the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) 

prohibiting 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 

operate a commercial motor vehicle 

(CMV) from operating CMVs in 

interstate commerce. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical 

Programs Division, FMCSA, Department 

of Transportation, 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 material in 

the docket, contact Dockets Operations, 

(202) 366–9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation 

A. Comments 

To view comments go to 

www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES