FMCSA Updates Drivers on Diabetes Standard Proposal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reminded drivers at the Mid-America Trucking Show of its plan to amend its medical qualification standards to allow drivers with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce, without seeking an exemption.

The agency plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking on the matter in July.

A ban prohibiting any driver with diabetes who used insulin from driving commercial vehicles in interstate commerce was in place from 1970 to 2003. But, in 2004, the agency started to accept applications for diabetes exemptions to allow drivers to be given medical certificates on a case-by-case assessment every two years.

Then, in 2005, Congress required the agency to drop the exemption requirement.