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Transportation Department Issues Driver Exemptions, Tanker Fleet Rule, and FAA Workforce Data Request
The Transportation Department and its sub-agencies published a cluster of rulemakings and information-collection actions covering commercial driver medical standards, a tanker vessel security fleet, FAA workforce data, and a Coast Guard navigational restriction.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced two decisions on exemption applications under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations concerning interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers with epilepsy or seizure disorders. FMCSA denied applications from 52 individuals who requested exemptions from the FMCSRs prohibiting persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, or any other condition likely to cause loss of consciousness or loss of ability to operate a CMV, from driving in interstate commerce. In a separate action, FMCSA granted exemptions to 12 individuals from the FMCSR requirement that interstate 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," enabling those individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
The Maritime Administration published a final rule implementing the Tanker Security Program, effective July 23, 2026. The rule makes changes to a TSP interim final rule published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022, in response to public comments, stakeholder feedback, and MARAD's experience during initial program administration. The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to establish TSP as a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels of the United States, intended to meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping.
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking public comments, due August 24, 2026, on its intention to request OMB approval for a new information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The collection would gather data on aerospace career pathways, program feedback, student interests, event participation and impact, registration details, and application forms to support FAA workforce development initiatives. The FAA states the collection enables ARA-100 to meet requirements under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and improve coordination and efficiency.
The Coast Guard established a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of Oyster Bay Harbor in the vicinity of Jones Beach State Park, near Wantagh, NY. The SLR controls vessel movement and prohibits entry into the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Long Island Sound or a designated representative. The restriction is in effect immediately before, during, and after an airshow to be held daily between July 1, 2026, and July 6, 2026.
What to watch
- July 1–6, 2026 — Coast Guard special local regulation in effect for Oyster Bay Harbor, Wantagh, NY.
- July 23, 2026 — MARAD Tanker Security Program final rule takes effect.
- August 24, 2026 — Deadline for public comments on FAA's new information-collection request for the Aviation Workforce and Education Division.
Related
Sources
14 citedEvery hard fact above is grounded in and cited to a primary source record.
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FMCSA denied applications from 52 individuals who requested exemptions from FMCSRs prohibiting persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition likely to cause loss of consciousness from operating CMVs in interstate commerce.
federalregister.gov -
FMCSA granted exemptions to 12 individuals from the FMCSR requirement that interstate CMV drivers have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition likely to cause loss of consciousness or loss of ability to control a CMV.
federalregister.gov -
The 12 exempted individuals have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication.
federalregister.gov -
MARAD published a final rule implementing the Tanker Security Program, effective July 23, 2026.
federalregister.gov -
The TSP final rule makes changes to an interim final rule published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022.
federalregister.gov -
The changes were made in response to public comments, stakeholder feedback, and MARAD's experience during initial program administration.
federalregister.gov -
The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to establish TSP as a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels of the United States.
federalregister.gov -
TSP is intended to meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping.
federalregister.gov -
The FAA is seeking public comments due August 24, 2026, on its intention to request OMB approval for a new information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
federalregister.gov -
The FAA information collection would gather data on aerospace career pathways, program feedback, student interests, event participation and impact, registration details, and application forms.
federalregister.gov -
The FAA states the collection enables ARA-100 to meet requirements under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
federalregister.gov -
The Coast Guard established a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of Oyster Bay Harbor in the vicinity of Jones Beach State Park, near Wantagh, NY.
federalregister.gov -
The SLR controls vessel movement and prohibits entry into the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Long Island Sound or a designated representative.
federalregister.gov -
The Coast Guard restriction is in effect immediately before, during, and after an airshow to be held daily between July 1, 2026, and July 6, 2026.
federalregister.gov