Medical Card / MVR Requirements

Beginning January 30, 2015, a driver required to have a commercial driver’s license, who has submitted a current medical examiner’s certificate to the State documenting he/she meets the physical qualification requirements, will no longer need to carry the medical examiner’s certificate (or a copy of the certificate) for more than 15 days after the date it was issued as valid proof of medical certification.

Beginning, July 8, 2015, a driver required to have a commercial learner’s permit, who has submitted a current medical examiner’s certificate to the State documenting he/she meets the physical qualification requirements, will no longer need to carry the medical examiner’s certificate (or a copy of the certificate) for more than 15 days after the date it was issued as valid proof of medical certification.

A CDL or CLP holder who obtained a medical variance from FMCSA must continue to have the original or copy of the medical variance documentation in his/her possession at all times when on-duty.

Driver Qualification Files

If the CDL issuing state motor vehicle record contains medical certification status information for the CDL holder, the motor carrier employer must obtain the motor vehicle records from the current licensing State and place it in the driver qualification file. The motor carrier has 15 days to obtain the MVR from the date stamped on the medical examination certificate.  The medical examiner’s certificate or a copy must be placed in the DQ file for the 15 day period (or until the CDL issuing state MVR is put there).  Without either the MVR or the medical examiner’s certificate (for the 15 day period), the motor carrier may not let the driver operate a CMV.

After January 30, 2015, a non-excepted, interstate CDL or CLP holder who does not have medical certification status information on the CDL issuing state motor vehicle record will be designated “not-certified” to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. A motor carrier may use a copy of the driver’s current medical examiner’s certificate that was submitted to the state for up to 15 days from the date it was issued as proof of medical certification.

Under a proposed rule issued May 10, 2013, the 15 day grace period will eventually be removed.  (78 Fed. Reg. 27349.)  If the proposed rule is adopted without change, carriers would be required to obtain the CDL issuing state MVR before letting the driver drive, and would not be able to rely on putting the medical examiner’s certificate in the DQ file.  The rule would require medical examiners to submit the results of their medical examinations on the same day as the examination, and for states to update their CDL issuing state MVR information within a day.  Because there would be no delay in the information being put in the CDL issuing state, here would be no need for a delay in carriers obtaining the information.

If you are under CNS Driver File Management program there is no need to worry! We have got you covered. We will pull your CDL or CLP holders record 15 day after the medical card expires. We will also keep informing you on when the CDL or CLP holder’s medical card expires.

Not enrolled in CNS Driver File Management program yet? Contact us today and learn how easy it is to enroll. Plus, we will get you 100% compliant with your driver files. Call 1-888-260-9448 today.