FMCSA will publish a final rule extending the requirement for interstate commercial drivers to have paper copies of their medical examiner’s certifications with them when operating a commercial motor vehicle. An advance copy of the rule has been posted to FMCSA’s website. This requirement will stay in effect until January 30, 2015. This requirement applies to any drivers with either a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or the commercial learner’s permit (CLP) who must be medically certified under 49 CFR part 391. Please note that drivers are still required to certify their status (e.g., interstate or intrastate, exempt or non-exempt) with the State Driver License Agency (SDLA) agency before January 30, 2014 and to provide the SDLA a copy of any new medical certificate received after January 30, 2012. FMCSA also extended the requirement for interstate motor carriers to retain copies of their drivers’ medical certificates in their driver qualification files. This extension of the requirement to carry a medical certificate card was needed to ensure that all SDLAs are prepared to accept and transmit the medical qualification of CDL and CLP holders on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) driver record.

Please go to FMCSA’s webpage at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/rulemakings/rule-programs/rule_making_details.