In the course of helping hundreds of CDL drivers find jobs throughout the United States, we are frequently finding a surprising number of drivers who have failed to self-certify with their state’s DMV. This means they are not employable until this is fixed.
CONFUSION
This requirement was to be fully in place by January 30, 2014, but was subsequently delayed in part to allow state DMVs to finish implementation. Many drivers mistakenly believe their duty to self-certify was delayed, it was not.
Drivers were not exempted from meeting the deadline, instead the FMCSA simply has allowed carriers to accept a medical card, if the self-certification is not showing due to a state’s failure to implement the system in a timely fashion. Further, drivers are now also mandated to carry their medical card through January 2015, even if they are self-certified and that shows on their DMV report.
According to the FMCSA to self-certify here is what you must do:
What are CDL holders required to do?
You must determine whether you operate in interstate or intrastate commerce, and are excepted or non-excepted from either the Federal or State requirements. You must certify to your SDLA that you fall into one of the four operation categories listed below:
- Interstate non-excepted: You are an Interstate non-excepted driver and must meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements (e.g. – you are “not excepted”).
- Interstate excepted: You are an Interstate excepted driver and do not have to meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements.
- Intrastate non-excepted: You are an Intrastate non-excepted driver and are required to meet the medical requirements for your State.
- Intrastate excepted: You are an Intrastate excepted driver and do not have to meet the medical requirements for your State.
For the definition of interstate and intrastate please see the FAQ section.
If you are subject to the USDOT medical examiner certification requirement, provide a copy of each new USDOT medical examiner certificate to your SDLA prior to the expiration of your current medical examiner certificate. The medical examiner certificate is often referred to as your “medical card.”
The good news is this mistake is easily fixed with a trip to the DMV with your current medical card. So if you haven’t self-certified already, go do it. And if you have, spread the word, because the percentage of noncompliant drivers is high. Being removed from service under load, or missing a great job opportunity is bad for drivers and carriers alike. Certainly the confusing rule changes haven’t helped, but by spreading the word we can help each other out.