METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

FMCSA to exempt some diabetic bus, truck drivers

The new program for these exemptions will apply to drivers of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

September 8, 2003
2 min to read


The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will exempt certain insulin-treated diabetic bus and truck drivers from the diabetes prohibitions in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The new program for these exemptions will apply to drivers of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. The FMCSA, which is not amending its diabetes standard, will accept applications for diabetic exemptions beginning Sept. 22. The maximum exemption period is two years, and the agency may renew exemptions at the end of the two-year period, or after an exemption period expires. The disease, diabetes mellitus, can on occasion, result in a loss of consciousness or orientation in time and space. Current FMCSA safety regulations regarding diabetes state that a person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person:

  • Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for control.

  • Factors related to long-haul commercial motor vehicle operations, such as fatigue, lack of sleep, poor diet, emotional conditions, stress and concomitant illness, compound the diabetic problem. Because of these inherent dangers, the FMCSA has consistently held that a diabetic who uses insulin for control does not meet the minimum physical requirements of the FMCSRs. The FMCSA's decision to establish an exemption process is based on a number of factors, including studies on the effects of insulin-treated diabetes on driver performance, a review of U.S. Department of Transportation and state exemption programs and substantial medical input from a panel of endocrinologists.

Topics:Management

More Management

Ray Melleady and industry leaders on Capitol Hill
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 24, 2026

The Business Voice Behind Public Transportation

As chair of APTA’s Business Members Board of Governors, Ray Melleady explains how more than 850 business members are partnering with transit agencies to advance funding, innovation, and industry-wide collaboration.

Read More →
A purple and white CDTA bus parked at a bus stop.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 24, 2026

New York’s CDTA Service Rebalancing Boosts Productivity, On-Time Performance

Despite a slight dip in ridership, the agency’s FY2026 results show its service rebalancing strategy is helping the agency carry more riders per service hour while improving reliability.

Read More →
People Movement: John Walsh
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 21, 2026

People Movement: ABC Names John Walsh as Chief Commercial Officer

In this edition, METRO also covers recent appointments and announcements at the DART, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
METROspectives: The Overlooked Issues Holding Bus Operators Back
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 21, 2026

From Surviving to Thriving: Building Stronger Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants founder Brian Dickson shares lessons on leadership, organizational health, and creating options for long-term success in a changing transportation industry.

Read More →
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 18, 2026

LA Metro Ridership Continues Growth as Rail Gains Accelerate

New rail connections and major events help drive continued ridership gains, with Metro recording its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year rail growth.

Read More →
The group shot at TransPro's TransDash Summit
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 18, 2026

TransDASH Summit Focuses on Measuring What Matters in Transit

Transit agencies unveil a national performance platform designed to benchmark customer experience, safety, community value, and other outcomes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The Future Hits the Road
Technologyby Alex RomanAugust 17, 2026

Jacksonville’s NAVI Project Charts a New Course for Autonomous Public Transportation

Through its NAVI program, JTA is showing how autonomous vehicles, intelligent infrastructure, and coordinated operations can work together to deliver everyday public transportation.

Read More →
An Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset at a station.
Railby Alex RomanAugust 14, 2026

FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak

Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.

Read More →
Finding the Right Balance: Optimizing Transit Maintenance
ManagementAugust 14, 2026

Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability

The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Jonathan Hunt, GM/CEO at MARTA
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 13, 2026

People Movement: MARTA Drops Interim Tag on GM/CEO Hunt and More

In this edition, METRO covers recent appointments and announcements at the FMCSA, HDR, SilverRide, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →