# 2026-12323: FMCSA Lets Drivers with Epilepsy Operate Big Rigs

2026-12323, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published 2026-06-18, effective 2026-03-04; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-25).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12323
- As of: 2026-06-25
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12323
- Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 36935
- Published: 2026-06-18
- Effective: 2026-03-04
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-25

## In one line

FMCSA Lets Drivers with Epilepsy Operate Big Rigs

## Summary

The FMCSA is giving 63 drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders a green light to drive commercial trucks across state lines while on medication. These special permissions started on March 4, 2026, and last until March 4, 2028, helping skilled drivers keep rolling without risking safety. This move balances safety with opportunity, showing that having seizures doesn’t automatically mean you can’t drive big rigs.

## Abstract

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 63 individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have "no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV." The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

## Effects PRIA read

- 63 Drivers Cleared to Drive Interstate: benefit, high. FMCSA granted exemptions to 63 named individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders allowing them to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce while taking anti-seizure medication. The exemptions became effective March 4, 2026 and expire March 4, 2028.
- Mandatory Medical and Reporting Conditions: cost, medium. Each exempted driver must remain seizure-free, maintain a stable treatment regimen, report any seizure to FMCSA within 24 hours, submit annual physician reports and an annual medical exam by a certified medical examiner, and provide certified driving records and copies of medical certification. The…
- Federal Preemption of Conflicting State Laws: benefit, low. While each exemption is in effect (March 4, 2026 to March 4, 2028), no State may enforce laws or regulations that conflict with the exemption as to a person operating under it. Exempted drivers must carry a copy of the exemption for presentation to law enforcement.

## Related documents

- [2026-08144](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08144): Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures, 2026-04-27
- [2026-22829](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22829): Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 2026-11-09
- [2026-22507](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22507): Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 2026-11-04
- [2026-22508](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22508): Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 2026-11-04
- [2026-22512](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22512): Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Metronet Application for Exemption, 2026-11-04
- [2026-22510](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22510): Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 2026-11-04

## Sources
- [2026-12323 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/18/2026-12323/qualification-of-drivers-exemption-applications-epilepsy-and-seizure-disorders)
- [2026-12323 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-18/pdf/2026-12323.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12322, Notice of Proposals To Engage In or To Acquire Companies Engaged In Permissible…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12322)
- [Next: 2026-12325, Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holdin…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12325)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12323 (as of 2026-06-25).