Five More Epileptic Haulers Cleared for Cross-State Cargo Runs
Published Date: 1/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for five truck drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders to keep driving across state lines while on medication. These exemptions started November 6, 2025, and last until November 6, 2027. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until February 19, 2026, to speak up—no extra fees involved!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Five drivers allowed to keep driving
If you are one of the five named drivers (Brian Bommer (OH); Alex Hunter (SD); David Kietzman (WI); Marion Franklin Legg (MD); William Rainer (TX)), FMCSA renewed exemptions letting you operate interstate commercial motor vehicles while on anti-seizure medication. The exemptions are applicable November 6, 2025, and expire November 6, 2027, and may be renewed for additional 2-year periods.
Medical monitoring and reporting rules
If you hold one of these exemptions, you must remain seizure-free, report any seizure to FMCSA within 24 hours, submit annual treating-physician reports and an annual medical exam by a certified medical examiner, provide annual certified driving records, report crashes and disqualifying citations within 7 days, and keep a copy of the exemption while driving. Each exemption is valid for 2 years and remains subject to these ongoing conditions.
Federal preemption of conflicting state laws
While the exemptions are in effect (November 6, 2025 through November 6, 2027), no State may enforce a law or regulation that conflicts with an exemption for a person operating under it. This protects exempt drivers from state rules that would otherwise prevent their interstate driving during the exemption period.
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The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for 16 drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders to keep driving commercial 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, comments are open until February 19, 2026.