U.S. considers lifting CDL restrictions on insulin-using diabetics

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 2, 2001) The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has asked for public comments on a program that would allow insulin-using diabetics to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. Under current federal regulations, drivers with diabetes mellitus who require insulin to control their condition are not qualified for an interstate CDL.

Under the proposed program, requirements would be strict. Applicants must have a valid intrastate CDL or a license (non-CDL) to operate a commercial motor vehicle. They must have operated a commercial vehicle as an insulin-using diabetic for the three years preceding the application, and their driving records for those three years must contain no suspensions or revocations of any driving license (CDL or personal vehicle), no involvement in an accident where the applicant was cited for a moving violation in a commercial vehicle, no convictions for a disqualifying offense, and no more than one serious traffic violation.

Among other conditions, applicants will have to provide complete medical histories and undergo thorough examinations by an endocrinologist and an ophthalmologist, and will not qualify if they have had two or more hypoglycemic reactions in the past five years resulting in loss of consciousness, seizure, or impaired cognitive function which occurred without warning.

FMCSA says it is not yet accepting applicants. Comments on the program are due Oct. 1. They can be mailed, faxed to 202/493-2251 or submitted electronically via http://dmses.dot.gov/submit. Reference FMCSA-2001-9800. The docket, including the full proposal, can be found at http://dms.dot.gov.

Source: truckinginfo.com