Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 14329-14331 [2014-05501]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 49 / Thursday, March 13, 2014 / Notices
the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C.
31136(e) and 31315.
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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
for additional two year periods. In
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315, each of the 17 applicants has
satisfied the entry conditions for
obtaining an exemption from the vision
requirements (67 FR 68719; 68 FR 2629;
70 FR 57353; 70 FR 72689; 70 FR 7545;
71 FR 4194; 71 FR 13450; 72 FR 39879;
72 FR 40362; 72 FR 52419; 72 FR 62897;
73 FR 9158; 74 FR 19267; 74 FR 28094;
74 FR 43217; 74 FR 57551; 74 FR 60021;
74 FR 64124; 74 FR 65842; 75 FR 1451;
75 FR 1835; 75 FR 9482; 75 FR 9484; 76
FR 44652; 76 FR 66123; 76 FR 78729;
77 FR 3552; 77 FR 10604; 77 FR 10606;
77 FR 13691). Each of these 17
applicants has requested renewal of the
exemption and has submitted evidence
showing that the vision in the better eye
continues to meet the requirement
specified at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and
that the vision impairment is stable. In
addition, a review of each record of
safety while driving with the respective
vision deficiencies over the past two
years indicates each applicant continues
to meet the vision exemption
requirements.
These factors provide an adequate
basis for predicting each driver’s ability
to continue to drive safely in interstate
commerce. Therefore, FMCSA
concludes that extending the exemption
for each renewal applicant for a period
of two years is likely to achieve a level
of safety equal to that existing without
the exemption.
Request for Comments
FMCSA will review comments
received at any time concerning a
particular driver’s safety record and
determine if the continuation of the
exemption is consistent with the
requirements at 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315. However, FMCSA requests that
interested parties with specific data
concerning the safety records of these
drivers submit comments by April 14,
2014.
FMCSA believes that the
requirements for a renewal of an
exemption under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315 can be satisfied by initially
granting the renewal and then
requesting and evaluating, if needed,
subsequent comments submitted by
interested parties. As indicated above,
the Agency previously published
notices of final disposition announcing
its decision to exempt these 17
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Mar 12, 2014
Jkt 232001
individuals from the vision requirement
in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The final
decision to grant an exemption to each
of these individuals was made on the
merits of each case and made only after
careful consideration of the comments
received to its notices of applications.
The notices of applications stated in
detail the qualifications, experience,
and medical condition of each applicant
for an exemption from the vision
requirements. That information is
available by consulting the above cited
Federal Register publications.
Interested parties or organizations
possessing information that would
otherwise show that any, or all, of these
drivers are 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.
Submitting Comments
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 and in the
search box insert the docket numbers
FMCSA–2002–12844; FMCSA–2005–
22194; FMCSA–2005–23099; FMCSA–
2007–27897; FMCSA–2009–0086;
FMCSA–2009–0206; FMCSA–2009–
0291; FMCSA–2009–0321; FMCSA–
2011–0365 and click the search button.
When the new screen appears, click on
the blue ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button on
the right hand side of the page. On the
new page, enter information required
including the specific section of this
document to which each comment
applies, and provide a reason for each
suggestion or recommendation. If you
submit your comments by mail or hand
delivery, submit them in an unbound
format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches,
suitable for copying and electronic
filing. If you submit comments by mail
and would like to know that they
reached the facility, please enclose a
stamped, self-addressed postcard or
envelope.
We will consider all comments and
material received during the comment
period and may change this proposed
PO 00000
Frm 00118
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
14329
rule based on your comments. FMCSA
may issue a final rule at any time after
the close of the comment period.
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as any
documents mentioned in this preamble,
to submit your comment online, go to
https://www.regulations.gov and in the
search box insert the docket number
FMCSA–2002–12844; FMCSA–2005–
22194; FMCSA–2005–23099; FMCSA–
2007–27897; FMCSA–2009–0086;
FMCSA–2009–0206; FMCSA–2009–
0291; FMCSA–2009–0321; FMCSA–
2011–0365 and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next,
click ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ and you
will find all documents and comments
related to the proposed rulemaking.
Issued on: February 26, 2014.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014–05508 Filed 3–12–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2013–0443]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure
Disorders
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of applications for
exemption, request for comments.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces receipt of
applications from 13 individuals for an
exemption from the prohibition against
persons with a clinical diagnosis of
epilepsy or any other condition which
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.
The regulation and the associated
advisory criteria published in the Code
of Federal Regulations as the
‘‘Instructions for Performing and
Recording Physical Examinations’’ have
resulted in numerous drivers being
prohibited from operating CMVs 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
medical examiner. If granted, the
exemptions would enable these
individuals who have had one or more
seizures and are taking anti-seizure
medication to operate CMVs for 2 years
in interstate commerce.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\13MRN1.SGM
13MRN1
14330
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 49 / Thursday, March 13, 2014 / Notices
Comments must be received on
or before April 14, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA–
2013–0443 using any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
on-line 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., Monday
through Friday, except Federal
Holidays.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
Each submission must include the
Agency name and the docket ID for this
Notice. Note that DOT posts all
comments received without change to
https://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information included in a
comment. Please see the Privacy Act
heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments, go to https://
www.regulations.gov at any time or
Room W12–140 on the ground level of
the West Building, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., 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 selfaddressed, stamped envelope or
postcard or print the acknowledgement
page that appears after submitting
comments on-line.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or of the person signing the
comment, if submitted on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT’s complete
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on January 17, 2008
(73 FR 3316; January 17, 2008). This
information is also available at https://
Docketinfo.dot.gov.
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elaine Papp, Chief, Medical Programs
Division, (202) 366–4001, or via email at
fmcsamedical@dot.gov, or by letter
FMCSA, Room W64–113, Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Mar 12, 2014
Jkt 232001
0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e),
FMCSA may grant an exemption for a 2year 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 2-year period. The 13
individuals listed in this notice have
recently requested an exemption from
the epilepsy prohibition in 49 CFR
391.41(b)(8), which applies to drivers
who operate CMVs as defined in 49 CFR
390.5, in interstate commerce. Section
391.41(b)(8) states that a person is
physically qualified to drive a
commercial motor vehicle 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.
FMCSA provides medical advisory
criteria for use by medical examiners in
determining whether drivers with
certain medical conditions should be
certified to operate CMVs in intrastate
commerce. The advisory criteria
indicate that if an individual has had a
sudden episode of a non-epileptic
seizure or loss of consciousness of
unknown cause which 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
medical examiner 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 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
fully recovered 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
PO 00000
Frm 00119
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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.
Submitting Comments
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
and in the search box insert the docket
number ‘‘FMCSA–2013–0443’’ and click
the search button. When the new screen
appears, click on the blue ‘‘Comment
Now!’’ button on the right hand side of
the page. On the new page, enter
information required including the
specific section of this document to
which each comment applies, and
provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation. If you submit your
comments by mail or hand delivery,
submit them in an unbound format, no
larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you
submit comments by mail and would
like to know that they reached the
facility, please enclose a stamped, selfaddressed postcard or envelope. We will
consider all comments and material
received during the comment period
and may change this proposed rule
based on your comments. FMCSA may
issue a final rule at any time after the
close of the comment period.
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as any
documents mentioned in this preamble,
To submit your comment online, go to
https://www.regulations.gov and in the
search box insert the docket number
‘‘FMCSA–2013–0443’’ and click
‘‘Search.’’ Next, click ‘‘Open Docket
Folder’’ and you will find all documents
and comments related to the proposed
rulemaking.
Summary of Applications
Thomas Bynum
Mr. Bynum is a 61 year-old class A
CDL holder in North Carolina. He does
not have a history of seizure. He takes
anti-seizure medication since his
surgery 35 years ago with the dosage
and frequency remaining the same since
that time. If granted the exemption, he
E:\FR\FM\13MRN1.SGM
13MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 49 / Thursday, March 13, 2014 / Notices
would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of
Mr. Bynum receiving an exemption.
Brian Conaway
Mr. Conaway is a 42 year-old class B
CDL holder in Ohio. He has a history of
seizures and has remained seizure free
and off anti-seizure medication since his
surgery 1999. If granted the exemption,
he would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of
Mr. Conaway receiving an exemption.
Joan Diaz
Ms. Diaz is a 49 year-old class B CDL
holder in Maryland. She has a history of
seizure disorder and has remained
seizure free for 32 years. She takes antiseizure medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same for over
3 years. If granted the exemption, she
would like to drive a school bus. Her
physician states that he is supportive of
Ms. Diaz receiving an exemption.
Christopher Fitch
Mr. Fitch is a 51 year-old class B CDL
holder in New York. He has a history of
seizures and his last seizure was one
year ago while in the hospital. He takes
anti-seizure medication with the dosage
and frequency remaining the same for
over 2 years. If granted the exemption,
he would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of
Mr. Fitch receiving an exemption.
Ronald Hartl
2 years. If granted the exemption, he
would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of
Mr. Hoisington receiving an exemption.
Earnest Lansberry
Michael Miller
[FR Doc. 2014–05501 Filed 3–12–14; 8:45 am]
Mr. Miller is a 56 year-old driver in
Wisconsin. He has a history of epilepsy
and has remained seizure free seizure
for 11 years. He takes anti-seizure
medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same since that
time. If granted the exemption, he
would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of
Mr. Miller receiving an exemption.
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
Scott Smith
Mr. Smith is a 39 year-old driver in
California. He has a history of seizure
and has remained seizure free for 12
years. He discontinued his anti-seizure
medication 18 months ago. If granted
the exemption, he would like to drive a
CMV. His physician is supportive of Mr.
Smith receiving an exemption.
Nathaniel Ware
Mr. Hernandez is a 40 year-old driver
in California. He has a history of seizure
disorder and has remained seizure free
for 14 years. He takes anti-seizure
medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same for over
2 years. If granted the exemption, he
would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of
Mr. Hernandez receiving an exemption.
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Donald Hernandez
Mr. Ware is a 33 year-old driver in
Alabama. He has a history of seizures
and has remained seizure free for 4
years. He takes anti-seizure medication
with the dosage and frequency
remaining the same for 2 years. If
granted the exemption, he would like to
drive a CMV. His physician states that
he is supportive of Mr. Ware receiving
an exemption.
Craig Hoisington
Jason Yowell
Mr. Hoisington is a 41 year-old driver
in New Hampshire. He has a history of
epilepsy and has remained seizure free
for 10 years. He takes anti-seizure
medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same for over
Mr. Yowell is a 42 year-old driver in
Virginia. He has a history of seizures
and has remained seizure free for 4
years. He discontinued his anti-seizure
medication 10 months ago. If granted
the exemption, he would like to drive a
Jkt 232001
Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315
and 31136(e), FMCSA requests public
comment from all interested persons on
the exemption applications described in
this notice. We will consider all
comments received before the close of
business on the closing date indicated
earlier in the notice.
Issued on: February 26, 2014.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
Mr. Hartl is a 55 year old driver in
Wisconsin. He has a history of epilepsy
and has remained seizure free for 35
years. He takes anti-seizure medication
with the dosage and frequency
remaining the same for over 10 years. If
granted the exemption, he would like to
drive a CMV. His physician states that
he is supportive of Mr. Hartl receiving
an exemption.
17:33 Mar 12, 2014
CMV. His physician states that he is
supportive of Mr. Yowell receiving an
exemption.
Mr. Lansberry is a 62 year-old driver
in Pennsylvania. He has a history of
seizure disorder and has remained
seizure free for 7 years. He takes antiseizure medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same since that
time. If granted the exemption, he
would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of
Mr. Lansberry receiving an exemption.
Peter Thompson
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14331
Mr. Thompson is a 21 year-old driver
in Florida. He has a history of seizures
and has remained seizure free for over
10 years. He discontinued his antiseizure medication 8 years ago. If
granted the exemption, he would like to
drive a CMV. His physician states that
he is supportive of Mr. Thompson
receiving an exemption.
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Frm 00120
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2003–16241; FMCSA–
2003–16564; FMCSA–2004–19477; FMCSA–
2007–0071; FMCSA–2007–29019; FMCSA–
2009–0291; FMCSA–2009–0321; FMCSA–
2011–0298; FMCSA–2011–0299]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption
Applications; Vision
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of
exemptions; request for comments.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces its
decision to renew the exemptions from
the vision requirement in the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 23
individuals. FMCSA has statutory
authority to exempt individuals from
the vision requirement if the
exemptions granted will not
compromise safety. The Agency has
concluded that granting these
exemption renewals will provide a level
of safety that is equivalent to or greater
than the level of safety maintained
without the exemptions for these
commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
drivers.
DATES: This decision is effective March
31, 2014. Comments must be received
on or before April 14, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
bearing the Federal Docket Management
System (FDMS) numbers: Docket No.
[Docket No. FMCSA–2003–16241;
FMCSA–2003–16564; FMCSA–2004–
19477; FMCSA–2007–0071; FMCSA–
2007–29019; FMCSA–2009–0291;
FMCSA–2009–0321; FMCSA–2011–
0298; FMCSA–2011–0299], using any of
the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\13MRN1.SGM
13MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14329-14331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05501]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0443]
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and
Seizure Disorders
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of applications for exemption, request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 13 individuals
for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical
diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which 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. The
regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code
of Federal Regulations as the ``Instructions for Performing and
Recording Physical Examinations'' have resulted in numerous drivers
being prohibited from operating CMVs 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 medical examiner. If granted, the
exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more
seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs for 2
years in interstate commerce.
[[Page 14330]]
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 14, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-2013-0443 using any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line 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.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket ID for
this Notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change
to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12-140
on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 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 on-line.
Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316; January 17, 2008).
This information is also available at https://Docketinfo.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Papp, Chief, Medical Programs
Division, (202) 366-4001, or via email at fmcsamedical@dot.gov, or by
letter FMCSA, Room W64-113, Department of Transportation, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), FMCSA may grant an exemption
for a 2-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 2-year period. The 13
individuals listed in this notice have recently requested an exemption
from the epilepsy prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8), which applies to
drivers who operate CMVs as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, in interstate
commerce. Section 391.41(b)(8) states that a person is physically
qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle 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.
FMCSA provides medical advisory criteria for use by medical
examiners in determining whether drivers with certain medical
conditions should be certified to operate CMVs in intrastate commerce.
The advisory criteria indicate that if an individual has had a sudden
episode of a non-epileptic seizure or loss of consciousness of unknown
cause which 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 medical examiner 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 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 fully recovered 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.
Submitting Comments
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 and in the
search box insert the docket number ``FMCSA-2013-0443'' and click the
search button. When the new screen appears, click on the blue ``Comment
Now!'' button on the right hand side of the page. On the new page,
enter information required including the specific section of this
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each
suggestion or recommendation. 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. If you submit
comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility,
please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will
consider all comments and material received during the comment period
and may change this proposed rule based on your comments. FMCSA may
issue a final rule at any time after the close of the comment period.
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this
preamble, To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov and in the search box insert the docket number
``FMCSA-2013-0443'' and click ``Search.'' Next, click ``Open Docket
Folder'' and you will find all documents and comments related to the
proposed rulemaking.
Summary of Applications
Thomas Bynum
Mr. Bynum is a 61 year-old class A CDL holder in North Carolina. He
does not have a history of seizure. He takes anti-seizure medication
since his surgery 35 years ago with the dosage and frequency remaining
the same since that time. If granted the exemption, he
[[Page 14331]]
would like to drive a CMV. His physician states that he is supportive
of Mr. Bynum receiving an exemption.
Brian Conaway
Mr. Conaway is a 42 year-old class B CDL holder in Ohio. He has a
history of seizures and has remained seizure free and off anti-seizure
medication since his surgery 1999. If granted the exemption, he would
like to drive a CMV. His physician states that he is supportive of Mr.
Conaway receiving an exemption.
Joan Diaz
Ms. Diaz is a 49 year-old class B CDL holder in Maryland. She has a
history of seizure disorder and has remained seizure free for 32 years.
She takes anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency
remaining the same for over 3 years. If granted the exemption, she
would like to drive a school bus. Her physician states that he is
supportive of Ms. Diaz receiving an exemption.
Christopher Fitch
Mr. Fitch is a 51 year-old class B CDL holder in New York. He has a
history of seizures and his last seizure was one year ago while in the
hospital. He takes anti-seizure medication with the dosage and
frequency remaining the same for over 2 years. If granted the
exemption, he would like to drive a CMV. His physician states that he
is supportive of Mr. Fitch receiving an exemption.
Ronald Hartl
Mr. Hartl is a 55 year old driver in Wisconsin. He has a history of
epilepsy and has remained seizure free for 35 years. He takes anti-
seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same for
over 10 years. If granted the exemption, he would like to drive a CMV.
His physician states that he is supportive of Mr. Hartl receiving an
exemption.
Donald Hernandez
Mr. Hernandez is a 40 year-old driver in California. He has a
history of seizure disorder and has remained seizure free for 14 years.
He takes anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency
remaining the same for over 2 years. If granted the exemption, he would
like to drive a CMV. His physician states that he is supportive of Mr.
Hernandez receiving an exemption.
Craig Hoisington
Mr. Hoisington is a 41 year-old driver in New Hampshire. He has a
history of epilepsy and has remained seizure free for 10 years. He
takes anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining
the same for over 2 years. If granted the exemption, he would like to
drive a CMV. His physician states that he is supportive of Mr.
Hoisington receiving an exemption.
Earnest Lansberry
Mr. Lansberry is a 62 year-old driver in Pennsylvania. He has a
history of seizure disorder and has remained seizure free for 7 years.
He takes anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency
remaining the same since that time. If granted the exemption, he would
like to drive a CMV. His physician states that he is supportive of Mr.
Lansberry receiving an exemption.
Michael Miller
Mr. Miller is a 56 year-old driver in Wisconsin. He has a history
of epilepsy and has remained seizure free seizure for 11 years. He
takes anti-seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining
the same since that time. If granted the exemption, he would like to
drive a CMV. His physician states that he is supportive of Mr. Miller
receiving an exemption.
Scott Smith
Mr. Smith is a 39 year-old driver in California. He has a history
of seizure and has remained seizure free for 12 years. He discontinued
his anti-seizure medication 18 months ago. If granted the exemption, he
would like to drive a CMV. His physician is supportive of Mr. Smith
receiving an exemption.
Peter Thompson
Mr. Thompson is a 21 year-old driver in Florida. He has a history
of seizures and has remained seizure free for over 10 years. He
discontinued his anti-seizure medication 8 years ago. If granted the
exemption, he would like to drive a CMV. His physician states that he
is supportive of Mr. Thompson receiving an exemption.
Nathaniel Ware
Mr. Ware is a 33 year-old driver in Alabama. He has a history of
seizures and has remained seizure free for 4 years. He takes anti-
seizure medication with the dosage and frequency remaining the same for
2 years. If granted the exemption, he would like to drive a CMV. His
physician states that he is supportive of Mr. Ware receiving an
exemption.
Jason Yowell
Mr. Yowell is a 42 year-old driver in Virginia. He has a history of
seizures and has remained seizure free for 4 years. He discontinued his
anti-seizure medication 10 months ago. If granted the exemption, he
would like to drive a CMV. His physician states that he is supportive
of Mr. Yowell receiving an exemption.
Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), FMCSA requests
public comment from all interested persons on the exemption
applications described in this notice. We will consider all comments
received before the close of business on the closing date indicated
earlier in the notice.
Issued on: February 26, 2014.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014-05501 Filed 3-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P