Press Release

For Immediate Release

OOIDA applauds FMCSA for recognizing that truck drivers with diabetes can operate safely

For more than a decade, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has encouraged the government to reduce the costly and unnecessary obstacles that prevent safe truck drivers with diabetes to operate in interstate commerce. Today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a final rule revising regulations permitting individuals with properly controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) to be qualified by a certified medical examiner for up to 12 months.

“It’s time that drivers were recognized for their commitment to safety and commitment to health,” said Todd Spencer, president of OOIDA. “This rule makes sense and we hope to see more like it.”

Previously, individuals with ITDM were prohibited from driving commercial vehicles in interstate commerce unless they obtained an exemption from FMCSA, which meant additional administrative and financial burdens. The final rule will eliminate the exemption program that requires those with diabetes to take on recurring costs to renew and maintain their exemptions.

“We hope to see more efforts like this from the agency, where the focus is on reducing red tape and regulatory burdens to keep safe drivers on the road. We look forward to working with FMCSA on other revisions to medical regulations,” added Spencer.