Feds Renew Exemptions for 11 Epileptic Drivers of Big Trucks
Published Date: 12/5/2025
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for 11 truck drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders, letting them keep driving commercial vehicles across state lines while on medication. This update affects drivers who’ve had seizures but are medically stable, helping them keep their jobs safely. Comments on this decision are open until January 5, 2026, so speak up if you have thoughts!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
11 Drivers Allowed To Keep Driving
FMCSA renewed exemptions for 11 commercial drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders so they may continue to operate interstate commercial motor vehicles while on anti‑seizure medication. Seven of the renewals were applicable on October 4, 2025 and expire on October 4, 2027; four were applicable on October 22, 2025 and expire on October 22, 2027.
Exemptions Are Two-Year Renewals And Can Be Rescinded
FMCSA issues these exemptions for renewable 2‑year periods (to align with medical certificates) but will rescind an exemption earlier if a driver fails to comply with terms, if safety is reduced, or if continuation conflicts with statutory goals. Exemptions in this notice expire October 4, 2027 or October 22, 2027 for the listed drivers.
Medical Monitoring And Reporting Requirements
To keep the exemption, each driver must remain seizure‑free, report any seizure to FMCSA within 24 hours, submit annual treating‑physician reports, undergo an annual medical exam by a certified medical examiner, and provide annual certified driving records. Drivers must also report crashes within 7 days and report citations/convictions for disqualifying offenses within 7 days.
Federal Exemption Preempts Conflicting State Law
While an exemption is in effect, a State may not enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with that exemption for a person operating under it. The stated exemptions run through October 4, 2027 or October 22, 2027 for the listed drivers.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08144 — Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-10341 — Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
The FMCSA is renewing special permission for 14 hard of hearing and deaf drivers to keep driving big trucks across state lines until May 15, 2028. This means these drivers can continue working without having to meet the usual hearing rules. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until June 22, 2026, to speak up!
2026-10345 — Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
The FMCSA is considering requests from 12 hard of hearing or deaf drivers who want to be exempt from the usual hearing rules to drive commercial trucks across state lines. If approved, these drivers can hit the road legally, boosting opportunities without compromising safety. You’ve got until June 22, 2026, to share your thoughts—no fees involved, just your voice!
2026-09943 — Fees for Commercial Driver's License Information System
The FMCSA wants to start charging State driver agencies a fee to use the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS), which helps keep track of commercial driver licenses. These fees will be collected by AAMVA, the group that runs CDLIS. If you’re part of a State agency, get ready for this change and send your thoughts by June 17, 2026!
2026-09633 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Request for Revocation of Authority Granted
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is renewing a form that lets motor carriers, freight forwarders, and property brokers cancel their operating authority if they want. This renewal keeps the process easy and official, with no new fees or big changes. If you’re involved, make sure to share your thoughts by July 13, 2026!
2026-09622 — Commercial Driver's License: State of Hawaii Department of Transportation; Application for Exemption
The Hawaii Department of Transportation asked for a special rule to let certain Pacific Island residents get regular commercial driver’s licenses in Hawaii. The government said yes—but only for a special kind of license that lasts five years and is for people from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau who live in the U.S. This change starts May 14, 2026, and helps keep roads safe without extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21974 — Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for 13 truck drivers who have epilepsy or seizure disorders, letting them keep driving big trucks across state lines while on medication. This means these drivers can continue working safely without losing their jobs. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until January 5, 2026, to speak up!
Next: 2025-21976 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Extension: Rule 204-5
The SEC is asking to keep the rule that makes investment advisers give a clear, easy-to-understand summary to retail investors before starting work together. This helps people make smart choices about who manages their money. About 10,050 advisers spend time and money on this, and the public can comment on the rule extension until January 5, 2026.