The Federal Motor Carrier Administration is seeking public comment on whether it should eliminate the requirement that drivers with insulin-treated diabetes seek a formal exemption from the agency to be allowed to operate a commercial vehicle.

Specifically, FMCSA stated in the Federal Register for July 27 that it invites comment on a revision to its medical qualification requirements, covered by OMB Control Number 2126-0006), which is due to expire on August 31, 2018.

The revision reflects 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 in interstate commerce."

That rule would be based on a 2015 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and subsequent recommendations provided by FMCSA's Medical Review Board after an analysis of the comments received in response to the NPRM.

“Based on the MRB's analysis of the comments and their recommendations,” the agency said it 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 is open to comment on both the proposed IC revision and the new assessment form that it is being considered.

Click here to read the Federal Register notice and to learn how to provide comments to the agency on the proposed revision and form.