# 2026-12540: Twelve Drivers With Epilepsy Win Rare Truck Permits

2026-12540, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published 2026-06-23, effective 2026-01-25; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-30).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12540
- As of: 2026-06-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12540
- Title: Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 37491
- Published: 2026-06-23
- Effective: 2026-01-25
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-30

## In one line

Twelve Drivers With Epilepsy Win Rare Truck Permits

## Summary

The FMCSA is giving 12 drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders a green light to drive commercial trucks across state lines while on medication. These special permissions started on January 25, 2026, and last until January 25, 2028, helping qualified folks keep their wheels turning without breaking the bank. This change opens doors for drivers who play by the rules and manage their health responsibly.

## Abstract

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 12 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

- 12 Drivers Cleared to Drive Interstate: benefit, medium. FMCSA exempted 12 named individuals from the rule that bars drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders, allowing them to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce while taking anti-seizure medication. The exemptions are effective January 25, 2026 and expire January 25, 2028.
- Ongoing Medical Reporting and Exams Required: cost, medium. Each exempt driver must remain seizure-free, maintain a stable treatment, and report any seizure to FMCSA within 24 hours. They must also submit annual treating-physician reports, undergo an annual medical exam by a certified medical examiner, provide a copy of medical certification to their employ…
- Federal Preemption for Exempt Drivers: benefit, low. While the exemptions are in effect (January 25, 2026 to January 25, 2028), no State may enforce a law or regulation that conflicts with the exemption for a person operating under it. This protects the exempt drivers from state rules that would otherwise bar their interstate operation during the exe…
- Two-Year Exemption Period and Revocation Triggers: cost, medium. Each exemption is valid for two years from the effective date (January 25, 2026 through January 25, 2028) unless revoked earlier. FMCSA may revoke an exemption if the driver fails to comply with the terms, the exemption results in a lower level of safety, or continuation would be inconsistent with…

## 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
- [2026-12540 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/23/2026-12540/qualification-of-drivers-exemption-applications-epilepsy-and-seizure-disorders)
- [2026-12540 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-23/pdf/2026-12540.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12539, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12539)
- [Next: 2026-12541, Biweekly Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12541)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12540 (as of 2026-06-30).