# 2025-00746: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing

2025-00746, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing, is a Federal Register notice from an unnamed agency published 2025-01-15, effective Exemptions applicable as of December 16, 2024 (expire December 16, 2026); December 22, 2024 (expire December 22, 2026); and December 30, 2024 (expire December 30, 2026). Each exemption is valid for 2 years from its effective date. (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00746
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-00746
- Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: unknown
- Citation: unknown
- Published: 2025-01-15
- Effective: Exemptions applicable as of December 16, 2024 (expire December 16, 2026); December 22, 2024 (expire December 22, 2026); and December 30, 2024 (expire December 30, 2026). Each exemption is valid for 2 years from its effective date.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## Summary

The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for 13 hard of hearing and deaf drivers, letting them keep driving big trucks across state lines. These exemptions mean they don’t have to meet the usual hearing rules but still follow all other safety laws. The renewed permissions have specific start and end dates, so affected drivers should keep an eye on those to stay legal and keep rolling.

## Abstract

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 13 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

## Effects PRIA read

- 13 Hearing-Impaired Drivers Kept Driving: benefit, high. FMCSA renewed exemptions allowing 13 hard-of-hearing and deaf individuals to keep operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce even though they do not meet the hearing requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11). The renewals were applicable on December 16, 2024; December 22, 2024; and…
- Two-Year Term and Revocation Rules: cost, medium. Each renewed exemption is valid for 2 years from its effective date and will be revoked earlier if the person fails to follow the exemption terms, the exemption causes a lower level of safety, or continuation would conflict with 49 U.S.C. 31136, chapter 313, or the FMCSRs. These conditions govern t…

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## Sources
- [2025-00746 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/15/2025-00746/qualification-of-drivers-exemption-applications-hearing)
- [2025-00746 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-15/pdf/2025-00746.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-00745, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00745)
- [Next: 2025-00747, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00747)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00746 (as of 2026-06-08).