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.
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.
2026-10345 — 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!
2026-10341 — 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!
2026-09943 — 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: 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!