ย February 21, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the immediate end of the diabetic driversโ exemption process.
According to a Federal Register announcement, โObtaining certification under the new standard should be much less burdensome in terms of both time and resources than the lengthy process of applying for and maintaining an exemption. FMCSA withdraws its Sept. 3, 2003, notice concerning exemptions for certain individuals with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus and its Nov. 8, 2005 revision.โ
Despite dropping the exemption process for diabetic drivers, the affected truckers will still have to convince their primary care physician and an agency-certified medical examiner that his or her diabetes is under control.
The diabetic drivers are required to keep blood glucose records for 3 months, detail how many times per day they test their blood glucose levels, reveal if theyโve experienced any severe hypoglycemic episodes in the past 3 months, and if theyโve taken a Hemoglobin A1C measurement test over the past 12 months.
The new rule will eliminate a typical two-to-three month delay for drivers requesting an exemption from the FMCSA after being automatically disqualified for having the condition.
FMCSA stated that the exemption process will remain in place for drivers with seizure disorders, hearing disorders, and vision disorders.
