Process restructured, exemptions lifted for diabetic drivers

Individuals with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) are now permitted to be qualified to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. These individuals were previously prohibited unless they obtained an exemption from FMCSA. The final rule revising federal regulations was announced by the FMCSA on September 18.

With the old exemption program, the average processing time of an application was 77 days, during which time the individual couldn’t drive CMVs in interstate commerce. That has been eliminated with the new rule. There are nearly 5,000 drivers with ITDM currently with exemptions. The FMCSA estimates the new rule will save these individuals an aggregate $5 million per year as well as their associated motor carriers approximately $215,000 annually in opportunity and compliance costs related to the waiting period.

The final rule also adjusts the physical qualification standards. With the new rule, a certified medical examiner must grant an individual with ITDM a certificate, with the individual assessed on an annual basis. This is done with the assistance of the treating clinician, the healthcare professional who is managing the treatment of an individual’s diabetes, who submits an assessment form to the ME showing the person being examined has a stable insulin regimen and proper control of the disease. The medical examiner then determines if the individual meets physical qualification standards and can operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. An annual vision examination and four annual evaluations by an endocrinologist have are no longer required with the final rule. The treating clinician is the primary healthcare authority, ensuring continuity of care for an individual’s diabetes treatment.

Diabetes is a growing concern in North America, where currently it’s estimated that 10 percent of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

In the past, the United Motorcoach Association expressed concern about not restricting ITDM individuals from transporting passengers; however, the association supported the exemption program. The primary reason was that “over-the-road bus operations may not be conducive to maintaining proper blood glucose levels because schedules often vary and not flexible, testing and snacking opportunities are limited, and passengers may become alarms when observing a driver injecting insulin or monitoring blood glucose.” The FMCSA maintains that individuals with proper control of their ITDM can operate any category of CMV safely.

“This final action delivers economic savings to affected drivers and our agency, and streamlines processes by eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens, and redundancy,” said FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez. “It’s a win-win for all parties involved.”

According to the Federal Register, as an agency, the FMCSA will save more than $1 million per year over the next three years in costs associated with administering the diabetes exemption program. The final rule is effective on Nov.19, 2018.

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