FMCSA renews hearing exemptions for 38 drivers and opens comment on 20 new applicants

FMCSA published four notices in the Federal Register on September 28, 2026 dealing with the federal hearing standard for interstate commercial drivers. Two notices renew existing exemptions, one for 20 individuals and one for 18, so those deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers can keep operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. The other two announce new applications for the same exemption, from nine and from 11 individuals.

These are notices, not a rule change. The hearing standard itself stays in place: a driver must be able to "first perceive a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet" or meet the audiometric thresholds in the regulations. The exemptions are granted person by person, and the renewed ones run for a renewable 2-year period.

According to the notice, exempted drivers must report crashes and citations or convictions for disqualifying offenses to FMCSA within 7 days, submit an annual certified driving record from their state licensing agency, carry a copy of the exemption to show law enforcement, and meet all CDL testing requirements. They are also prohibited from operating a motorcoach or bus with passengers in interstate commerce. FMCSA can revoke an exemption based on its safety review.

For the new applications, no decision has been made yet. FMCSA is taking public comments on both the renewals and the applications until October 28, 2026 through the dockets listed in each notice.