Feds Let Epileptics Haul Freight Across America—With Pills
Published Date: 9/9/2026
Notice
Summary
FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 14 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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
14 Drivers Granted Epilepsy Exemptions
FMCSA granted exemptions to 14 named individuals, allowing them to operate interstate commercial motor vehicles despite a history of seizures while taking anti-seizure medication. The exemptions became effective April 21, 2026 and run through April 21, 2028; the applicants had been seizure-free for between 4 and 22 years and on a stable treatment regimen for the last 2 years.
Ongoing Medical and Reporting Conditions
Drivers operating under these exemptions must remain seizure-free, keep a stable treatment, and report a seizure to FMCSA within 24 hours. They must also provide annual physician attestations and medical examinations, supply annual certified driving records, report crashes and certain citations within 7 days, carry a copy of the exemption while driving, and meet all commercial driver's license testing requirements.
Federal Exemption Preempts State Conflicts
While these exemptions are in effect (April 21, 2026 through April 21, 2028), no State may enforce a law or regulation that conflicts with the exemption for a person operating under it. This federal preemption protects the exempted drivers from state rules that would otherwise prevent interstate operation during the exemption period.
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Department and Agencies
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