Feds Let Epileptic Drivers Haul Trucks: Safety or Gamble?
Published Date: 3/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for five drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders to keep driving commercial trucks across state lines while on medication. These exemptions started February 19, 2026, and last until February 19, 2028. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until April 1, 2026, to speak up—no extra fees or costs involved!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Five Drivers Granted 2-Year Exemptions
FMCSA renewed exemptions allowing five named commercial drivers (Daniel Bretz (PA), Gary Gress (PA), Ryan Moore (NC), Cory Wagner (IL), and Randy Wentz (PA)) who have had seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue driving interstate commercial motor vehicles. Each exemption is effective February 19, 2026 and expires February 19, 2028, and is renewable for subsequent 2-year periods.
Medical Monitoring and Reporting Conditions
Each exempted driver must remain seizure-free, report any seizure to FMCSA within 24 hours, provide annual physician attestations, undergo an annual medical exam by a certified medical examiner, provide the medical certificate to their employer (or keep it if self-employed), report crashes within 7 days, report disqualifying citations/convictions within 7 days, and submit annual certified driving records. Drivers must also carry a copy of the exemption when driving and meet all commercial driver's license testing requirements.
Federal Preemption During Exemption Period
While an exemption is in effect (February 19, 2026 through February 19, 2028), no State may enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with the exemption for a person operating under it. This protects the exempted drivers from conflicting state rules during the exemption period.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04056, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
The FMCSA is considering special permission for 14 people with epilepsy or seizure disorders to drive big trucks across state lines, even though current rules usually say no. These folks take medicine and want a chance to work as commercial drivers. You’ve got until April 1, 2026, to share your thoughts, and this could open new job opportunities without extra costs for the public.
Next: 2026-04058, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 153, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; CMS Circuits, Inc.; (Electronic Manufacturing Services in Aerospace, Industrial, and Medical Applications); Murrieta, California
CMS Circuits in Murrieta, California wants to make high-tech electronic parts for aerospace, medical, and industrial uses inside Foreign-Trade Zone 153. This means they can bring in certain materials without paying some import taxes, helping them save money and speed up production. The government is reviewing this plan, which could start soon and boost local manufacturing.