FMCSA Extends Use of Paper Medical Cards to 60 Days

As of August 21, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has updated a previous waiver to allow a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate to serve as proof of certification for up to 60 days after issue. The previous waiver, posted July 14, allowed the paper copy for 15 days. As before, this waiver is valid through October 12, 2025.

The FMCSA made this update to give carriers and drivers more support while medical examiners transition to the secure electronic transmission to medial certification data update. The FMCSA decided drivers should not be punished for delays that may occur while medical examiners and State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) transition to the new system. The agency feels that this waiver is in the best interest of the public and will provide the same, if not a greater, level of safety.

The agency recommends that certified medical examiners continue to issue paper medical examiner’s certificates as well as submit examination results electronically, until further notice. 

This waiver applies to both CDL and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders. Non-CDL drivers are not affected by this waiver since they already are required to be issued a paper medical card.

As a reminder, the two key impacts of this waiver include:

1. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers can use paper medical cards as proof of medical certification for up to 60 days after the certificate has been issued (following the DOT exam) while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
2. Carriers can use the medical card in the DQ file to be replaced by the CDL motor vehicle record (MVR) with the latest medical certification within 60 days. 

The waiver does not apply to:

• A driver who doesn’t have a copy of their current, valid medical examiner’s certificate that was issued by a certified examiner 60 days prior; or
• A motor carrier that doesn’t have a copy of its driver’s current, valid medical examiner’s certificate that was issued 60 days prior.

Additionally, the FMCSA reserves the right to revoke the waiver if safety conditions are negatively impacted in terms of the goals and objectives of the original order. 

The FMCSA has updated its waiver to allow drivers, carriers, and permit holders 60 days to carry a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of the driver’s medical certification. This is an update on the previously allowed 15 days and will stay in effect through October 12.

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