Having trouble keeping track of when drivers physical exams are due? Office Tenders can help be sending timely reminders and all the necessary paperwork well in advance of when a driver’s physical is due.
Most interstate drivers must have their medical card renewed every two years; however, drivers with certain health conditions must renew more frequently. A valid up-to-date medical examiner’s certificate is needed whenever a driver renews his or her commercial driver’s license (CDL) and whenever operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
Not having a valid medical card means risking a DOT citation. Here’s what drivers and their employers need to know:
CMV Drivers Must Use a Certified Medical Examiner
Since May 21, 2014, CMV drivers have been required to get their physical examination from a health care professional registered with the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Medical certificates issued before this date remain valid until the expiration date, even if the examiner was not registered, but the next examination must be done by a Certified Medical Examiner.
The National Registry, developed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), ensures that medical examiners understand how medical regulations and guidance apply to CMV drivers. To become registered, a health care professional must be trained and tested on the physical qualifications and guidelines set by FMCSA. And they must continue to show competence through periodic training and recertification testing.
To find a Certified Medical Examiner, or to find out if a particular health care professional is registered, go to the National Registry website. If your medical examiner of choice is not registered and would like to be, refer him or her to the Certified Medical Examiners page to learn about how to get certified.
Submit Medical Certificates to State Driver Licensing Agency
As we reported in “Commercial Driver License (CDL) and DOT Physical Merging” in 2012, interstate drivers are now asked for a valid medical examiner’s certificate when applying for or renewing their CDL. If an existing CDL holder has a renewed medical examiner’s certificate but does not have a license renewal, the renewed certificate must be submitted to their state driver licensing agency (SDLA) within 15 days after the certificate was issued and, of course, before their last certificate expires.
The program to merge CDLs and DOT physicals was to be fully implemented by this past January. However, a FMCSA extension gave SDLAs one more year to complete the posting of driver medical information to the Commercial Drivers License Information System (CDLIS).
Drivers Must Carry Medical Certificates until January 30, 2015
The FMCSA extension requires that drivers carry their medical certificate in their possession when operating a CMV until January 30, 2015. This requirement prevents drivers from being improperly cited because their medical information is not yet available on CDLIS.
Once fully implemented, driver medical information will become a part of their driving record and will be considered a valid version of their medical certificate. In the meantime, don’t risk being improperly cited – be sure all drivers carry their medical card when operating a CMV.
Driver Qualification Files Must Include Medical Certificates
Drivers are also required to provide a copy of their current medical examiner’s certificate to their employer to be included in their driver qualification file. Reminding you to obtain that copy is one of the services Office Tenders offers to help keep your files DOT compliant.
Knowing well in advance when a physical is due and making sure that a current medical examiner’s certificate is in each driver’s qualification file is easy when you use Office Tenders driver qualification file services.
