FMCSA Seeks Public Comment on 22 Epilepsy Exemption Applications for CMV Drivers

FMCSA Epilepsy Exemption Applications

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published two concurrent notices announcing receipt of exemption applications from individuals who have a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), and who are prohibited under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) from driving in interstate commerce.

The first notice (docket FMCSA-2026-0041) covers applications from 16 individuals; the second (docket FMCSA-2026-0040) covers applications from six individuals. In both cases, the notice states that if granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals — who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication — to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The agency's legal basis for the action is 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), which authorizes FMCSA to grant exemptions from the FMCSRs. Under 49 CFR 381.315(a), the agency is required to publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register. The agency must provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to each application, including the applicant's safety analysis, and must provide an opportunity for public comment. After reviewing the applications, safety analyses, and public comments, the agency determines whether granting an exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved absent such exemption, pursuant to the standard set forth in 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1). The agency must then publish its decision in the Federal Register.

Comments on both notices must be received on or before July 22, 2026. Comments may be submitted online, by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but the agency specifies that only one means of submission should be used. For docket FMCSA-2026-0041, online comments may be submitted at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2026-0041; for docket FMCSA-2026-0040, at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2026-0040. In-person review of docket materials is available at Dockets Operations in Room W58-213 of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Confidential Business Information (CBI) submissions should be directed to Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Evaluation Division, Office of Policy, FMCSA, at the same address and should be marked "PROPIN" on each page; such submissions will not be placed in the public docket.

NIH Research Grant Opportunities

The National Institutes of Health has posted two research grant opportunities with longer application horizons. The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional), program announcement PAR-25-369, carries an application deadline of November 18, 2026. A separate opportunity — Research Experiences and/or Mentoring Networks through Research Education to Enhance Clinician-Scientists' Participation in NIDCD's Research (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), program announcement PAR-25-020 — has an application deadline of September 29, 2027.

What to Watch

• July 22, 2026 — Public comment deadline for both FMCSA epilepsy exemption dockets (FMCSA-2026-0041 and FMCSA-2026-0040).
• November 18, 2026 — Application deadline for NIH grant PAR-25-369 (ELSI R21).
• September 29, 2027 — Application deadline for NIH grant PAR-25-020 (NIDCD R25).