# 2026-12456: Feds Weigh Letting 16 Epileptic Drivers Haul Freight

2026-12456, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published 2026-06-22, effective Comments must be received on or before July 22, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12456
- As of: 2026-06-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12456
- Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 37222
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Effective: Comments must be received on or before July 22, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-07-22
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-29

## In one line

Feds Weigh Letting 16 Epileptic Drivers Haul Freight

## Summary

The FMCSA is considering special permission for 16 people with epilepsy or seizure disorders to drive big trucks across state lines, even though current rules usually say no. These folks have been seizure-free while on medicine and want a chance to work as commercial drivers. You’ve got until July 22, 2026, to share your thoughts, so jump in and help shape the rules!

## Abstract

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 16 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would 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

- 16 Drivers Seek Interstate Exemptions: benefit, high. The FMCSA received exemption applications from 16 individuals who have a history of epilepsy or seizure disorders and who are taking anti-seizure medication. If any exemption is granted, that individual would be allowed to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce despite the…
- Exemptions Typically Last Two Years: benefit, low. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the FMCSRs for a 2-year period to align with the maximum duration of a driver's medical certification. That means, if an exemption is granted to one of these applicants, it would typically be effective for two years unless renewed or otherwise limited.

## Related documents

- [2026-08144](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08144): Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures, 2026-04-27
- [2026-20734](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20734): Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for Exemption From Aurora Operations, Inc (USDOT #341156), 2026-10-09
- [2026-20649](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20649): Qualification of Drivers; Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Application for Exemption, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20524](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20524): Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information Collection: Hours of Service of Drivers; Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Driver…, 2026-10-07
- [2026-20476](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20476): Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information Collection: Hours of Service of Drivers: Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Driver…, 2026-10-06
- [2026-20325](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20325): Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration, 2026-10-05

## Sources
- [2026-12456 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/22/2026-12456/qualification-of-drivers-exemption-applications-epilepsy-and-seizure-disorders)
- [2026-12456 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-22/pdf/2026-12456.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12455, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12455)
- [Next: 2026-12457, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12457)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12456 (as of 2026-06-29).