The FMCSA announced in the Federal Register that it is seeking comment on a proposal to repeal the blanket exclusion for diabetic drivers.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces that it is considering submitting the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment on a revision to the Information Collection (IC) titled Medical Qualification Requirements, covered by OMB Control Number 2126-0006, which is currently due to expire on August 31, 2018.
This revision is due to the Agency's anticipation of a final rule to revise its regulations to eliminate the blanket prohibition against insulin-dependent diabetic individuals' operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in interstate commerce.
The final rule is based on the Agency's 2015 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and subsequent announcement of the availability of recommendations provided by FMCSA's Medical Review Board (MRB) after an analysis of the comments received in response to the NPRM. Based on the MRB's analysis of the comments and their recommendations,
FMCSA is considering replacing the previously proposed written notification from the treating clinician (TC) with a form titled Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form to be completed by the TC and provided to the certified medical examiner (certified ME). This form could be required for CMV drivers treated with insulin for diabetes who wish to drive in interstate commerce. FMCSA invites public comment on the proposed IC revision and the form that it is being considered.
The deadline for comments if September 25, 2017.
For additional background on the restrictions for diabetic drivers, the American Diabetes Association has a very good FAQ on commercial drivers and diabetes that can be found on their website.
