Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

          - [Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0029]

# AGENCY:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

# ACTION:

Notice of applications for exemption; request for comments.

# 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 January 27, 2025.

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by the Federal Docket Management System Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0029 using any of the following methods:
      -  Federal eRulemaking Portal:                          Go to                          www.regulations.gov/​,                          insert the docket number (FMCSA-2024-0029) 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, 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-2024-0029), 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 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-2024-0029*.  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-2024-0029) 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-                          ( print page 105681)                        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 § 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.                

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 § 391.41(b)(8).

To be considered for an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in § 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

### Ronald Buccheri

Ronald Buccheri is a 43-year-old class A commercial driver's license (CDL) holder in New Jersey. They have a history of a single unprovoked seizure and have been seizure free since September 7, 2020. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since 2020. Their physician states that they are supportive of Ronald Buccheri receiving an exemption.

### Brian Daniels

Brian Daniels is a 68-year-old class A CDL holder in New Jersey. They have a history of seizure disorder and have been seizure free since April 1, 1999. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since 1998. Their physician states that they are supportive of Brian Daniels receiving an exemption.

### Christopher Dowdy

Christopher Dowdy is a 48-year-old class C license holder in Kansas. They have a history of unprovoked seizure and have been seizure free since September 11, 2020. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since May 17, 2021. Their physician states that they are supportive of Christopher Dowdy receiving an exemption.

### Dale Folsom

Dale Folsom is a 57-year-old class E license holder in Florida. They have a history of partial seizures and have been seizure free since April 2003. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since April 2003. Their physician states that they are supportive of Dale Folsom receiving an exemption.

### Kenneth Horten

Kenneth Horten is a 55-year-old class D license holder in Arizona. They have a history of a single unprovoked seizure and have been seizure free since November 4, 2009. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since November 4, 2009. Their physician states that they are supportive of Kenneth Horten receiving an exemption.

### Jacob Johnstone

Jacob Johnstone is a 25-year-old class D regular license holder in Wisconsin. They have a history of seizure disorder and have been seizure free since 2016. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since 2020. Their physician states that they are supportive of Jacob Johnstone receiving an exemption.

### Steven Nelson

Steven Nelson is a 53-year-old class D license holder in Iowa. They have a history of epilepsy and have been seizure free since July 28, 2015. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since June 2015. Their physician states that they are supportive of Steven Nelson receiving an exemption.

### Hunter Raso

                    Hunter Raso is a 24-year-old class D license holder in Virginia. They have a history of partial seizures with loss of consciousness and have been seizure free since 2010. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since 2016. Their physician states that they are supportive of Hunter Raso receiving an exemption.                          ( print page 105682)    

### Andrew Speights

Andrew Speights is a 25-year-old class R license holder in Mississippi. They have a history of seizure disorder and have been seizure free since October 2016. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since October 2016. Their physician states that they are supportive of Andrew Speights receiving an exemption.

### Vic Sprenkle

Vic Sprenkle is a 59-year-old class AM CDL holder in Pennsylvania. They have a history of single partial complex seizure and have been seizure free since August 3, 2009. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since 2009. Their physician states that they are supportive of Vic Sprenkle receiving an exemption.

### Todd Weston

Todd Weston is a 48-year-old class AM1 CDL holder in California. They have a history of seizure disorder and have been seizure free since 2010. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since October 2017. Their physician states that they are supportive of Todd Weston receiving an exemption.

### Vernon Wingate

Vernon Wingate is a 34-year-old class C license holder in Maryland. They have a history of seizure disorder and have been seizure free since June 2016. They take anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same since March 4, 2020. Their physician states that they are supportive of Vernon Wingate 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.

# Footnotes

1.                             These 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.*
        Back to Citation      

[FR Doc. 2024-30884 Filed 12-26-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P