2020-01551. Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders  

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    AGENCY:

    Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

    ACTION:

    Notice of final disposition.

    SUMMARY:

    FMCSA announces its decision to renew an exemption for 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.” The 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 was applicable on October 22, 2019. The exemption expires on October 22, 2021.

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    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., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Operations, (202) 366-9826.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Public Participation

    A. Viewing Documents and Comments

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go to or http://www.regulations.gov/​docket?​D=​FMCSA-2015-0118 and choose the document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Docket Operations in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

    B. 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 www.regulations.gov,, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.transportation.gov/​privacy.

    II. Background

    On December 4, 2019, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision to renew an exemption for one individual 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 (84 FR 66454). The public comment period ended on January 3, 2020, and no comments were received.

    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of this applicant and determined that renewing the exemption would achieve a level of safety 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 Start Printed Page 5275to 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 one renewal exemption application, FMCSA announces its decision to exempt the following driver from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in § 391.41(b)(8).

    As of October 22, 2019, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), Anthony Martens (SD) has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (84 FR 66454).

    This driver was included in docket number FMCSA-2015-0118. The exemption is applicable as of October 22, 2019, and will expire on October 22, 2021.

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), the 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).

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    Issued on: January 23, 2020.

    Larry W. Minor,

    Associate Administrator for Policy.

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    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.

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    [FR Doc. 2020-01551 Filed 1-28-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P

Document Information

Published:
01/29/2020
Department:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of final disposition.
Document Number:
2020-01551
Dates:
The exemption was applicable on October 22, 2019. The exemption expires on October 22, 2021.
Pages:
5274-5275 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0118
PDF File:
2020-01551.Pdf