Epileptic Truckers Get Green Light: FMCSA's Seizure Exemption Sparks Debate
Published Date: 3/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for five truck drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders to keep driving commercial vehicles across state lines while on medication. These exemptions started March 15, 2026, and last until March 15, 2028. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until April 9, 2026, to comment—no extra costs involved, just your voice!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Five Drivers' Epilepsy Exemptions Renewed
Five named interstate commercial drivers (Andrew Anzalone (MA); Ramon Hinojosa (AZ); Richard Packer (ID); Brian Adam Runk (PA); Keith White (PA)) have had their exemptions renewed so they may operate commercial motor vehicles while taking anti-seizure medication. Each exemption is effective March 15, 2026 and expires March 15, 2028, allowing those individuals to continue driving in interstate commerce during that 2-year period.
Strict Medical Monitoring and Reporting Rules
Drivers operating under these exemptions 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, report crashes within 7 days, report citations/convictions within 7 days, submit annual certified driving records, and keep a copy of the exemption and medical certification in their qualification file. Failure to comply, a decline in safety, or inconsistency with statutory goals may cause FMCSA to rescind the exemption before the March 15, 2028 expiration.
Federal Exemption Preempts Conflicting State Rules
While an exemption is in effect (March 15, 2026 through March 15, 2028 for these drivers), no State may enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with the exemption with respect to a person operating under it. This protects the exempted drivers from state-level rules that would otherwise prevent their interstate operation during the exemption period.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile 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.
2026-16288, English Language Proficiency; Out of Service Criteria
The FMCSA wants to make sure truck drivers who don’t speak English well enough can be taken out of service to keep roads safer. This change affects all commercial drivers and aligns rules with current safety checks, making enforcement clearer and fairer. Comments on this proposal are open until October 9, 2026, with no new costs expected for drivers or companies.
2026-15760, Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection Request: Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
The FMCSA is renewing its approval to keep running the Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a system that helps track drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol. This affects nearly 10 million drivers, employers, and related groups, ensuring safety by making sure drivers complete the return-to-duty process before getting back on the road. Comments on this renewal are open until September 3, 2026, with no new fees involved.
2026-15414, Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for Exemption From Transit Solutions, LLC
FMCSA requests public comments on an application for exemption submitted by Transit Solutions, LLC (dba TSI Video) to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) equipped with TSI's ClearView E-Mirror camera monitor system (CMS) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). FMCSA is required by statute to publish a notice explaining each exemption request and such notice does not indicate what decision FMCSA will ultimately reach on the request. After reviewing the application, safety analyses, and public comments submitted, FMCSA will grant or deny the exemption.
2026-15430, Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers: Precision Fireworks LLC; Application for Exemption
FMCSA requests public comment on Precision Fireworks LLC's (Precision) application for exemption from the HOS requirement that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must not drive following the 14th hour after coming on duty. FMCSA is required by statute to publish a notice explaining each exemption request. This notice does not indicate what decision FMCSA will ultimately reach on the request. After reviewing the application, safety analyses, and public comments submitted, FMCSA will grant or deny the exemption.
2026-15431, Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for Exemption Renewal From Charles Machine Works, Inc.
FMCSA withdraws its January 16, 2026, notice that requested public comment on an application from Charles Machine Works, Inc. (CMW) seeking renewal of a five-year exemption from the Agency's prohibition against the use of gravity-fed or siphon-fed fuel systems on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). FMCSA has determined that the Agency's February 19, 2026, final rule titled "Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Auxiliary Fuel Tanks," provided the requested relief by amending the relevant regulation in a way that resolves the concerns outlined in CMW's original exemption request. Consequently, the exemption is now unnecessary, not only for CMW but also for any other entities that might have planned to request an exemption from the prohibition on gravity-fed or siphon-fed fuel systems on CMVs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04615, Notice of Public Meeting of the Utah Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
The Utah Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding two public Zoom meetings on March 30 and April 27, 2026, to finish their report about the civil rights of students with disabilities in Utah. Anyone interested can join, listen, and even share their thoughts during the meetings. These meetings don’t cost anything to attend but might help shape important changes for students with disabilities in Utah schools.
Next: 2026-04617, Lithium Hexafluorophosphate From China; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Scheduling of Preliminary Phase Investigations
The U.S. government is starting investigations to see if cheap or unfairly supported lithium hexafluorophosphate from China is hurting American businesses. If they find it is, extra taxes might be added to these imports to protect U.S. companies. The first big decision is due by April 20, 2026, so things are moving fast!