Effective January 30, 2015, in accordance with federal regulations, the medical examination information is to be linked to the van operator’s CDL, allowing the roadside inspectors and law enforcement the ability to check a van operator’s medical examination status by reviewing the driving record of the van operator. After January 30, 2015, the roadside inspectors will not be requesting the CDL van operators to produce a medical examiner’s certificate for their review. The inspectors will ask for the van operator’s CDL to check for both the status of the van operator’s CDL and medical examination. The following procedures will need to be followed to ensure the CDL van operator’s medical examination information is linked to their CDL in a timely manner.
- The medical examiner used to obtain the medical examination MUST be listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). This National registry listing can be found under ‘Links’ on AtlasNet or at nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov. (also required for non-CDL operators)
- A copy of the medical examiner’s certificate must be submitted to the state DMV within 5 days of obtaining the medical examination.
- Once received by the state, the van operator’s driving record is to be updated with the current medical information within 10 days.
- Submit a copy of the medical examination form and the medical examiner’s certificate to Atlas Safety
- Carry the medical examination form and medical examiner’s certificate for 15 days ***
- Atlas Safety will be required to obtain a motor vehicle report (MVR) on the van operator during the 15 day period to ensure the medical information has been updated on the driving record. This MVR will be retained as part of the van operator’s Driver Qualification (DQ) file.
Failure to comply with the above procedures could result in the downgrading of the van operator’s CDL by the state. If the renewed medical examination is not received by the state DMV within 30 days of the expiration of the previous medical examination, the state can downgrade the van operator’s CDL to a non-CDL license. Operating a CMV after the CDL has been downgraded could result in a serious violation of “Unqualified Driver” being assessed during a roadside inspection.
Atlas Safety does have some recommendations to help with “linking” process:
- Obtain the new medical examination at least one month prior to the expiration date of the current medical examination,
- If at all possible, obtain the new medical examination in your domiciled state,
- Ensure the medical examiner’s certificate is completed in full before submitting it to the state DMV, and
- Submit a copy of the medical card to the state DMV immediately after obtaining the new medical examination.
*** Although, the inspectors should not be requesting to view the medical examiner’s certificate, Atlas Safety recommends retaining the certificate past the 15 day requirement, even after the information has been updated on the driving record. If the certificate is discarded, how will the van operator know when the medical examination expires?
Non-CDL operators will still be required to carry their medical examiner’s certificate, since the medical information will not be linked to their driving record.
Any questions regarding the medical examinations being linked to the van operator’s CDL, please contact Atlas Safety.