FMCSA gives okay to drive trucks to 14 applicants with seizure history

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) exempted more than a dozen commercial vehicle drivers from epilepsy and seizure disorder rules.

FMCSA announced that 14 drivers will be exempted from regulations that require 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.”

In a Notice to be published in the Federal Register on June 9, FMCSA noted that the agency reviewed the medical records of each of the 14 drivers, including each 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.

FMCSA also reviewed recommendations from medical providers and each applicant’s driving record for moving violations or reported crashes.

Officials said that each of the 14 applicants have been seizure-free for between 9 and 27 years while taking anti-seizure medication and have maintained a stable medication treatment regimen for the last 2 years.

Each of the applicants have the support of a doctor to drive commercially, FMCSA said.

“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 in the operation of a CMV,” FMCSA said.

FMCSA requires that each of the 14 exempted individuals continue treatment and remain seizure-free, submit to FMCSA annual reports from their treating physicians attesting to the stability of treatment and that the driver has remained seizure-free, undergo an annual medical exam, and report any crashes, citations, or convictions to FMCSA.

The medical exemption is valid for a two year period, though it can be revoked if drivers fail to comply with terms.