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USDOT FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) CDL Waiver -3/24/2020

USDOT FMCSA Enforcement Notice on Expiring CDL’s

On March 24th, the FMCSA issued a waiver for drivers whose CDLs and/or medical cards expired or will expire after March 1, 2020. In issuing the waiver, the FMCSA recognized the COVID-19 difficulties drivers may face in renewing licenses and medical cards due to DMV closures and the inability of drivers to obtain appointments for physical examinations, and the essential need for medical supplies, food and other supplies to be delivered to those in need .  The waiver extends the expiration dates on qualifying CDLs and medical certificates until June 30, 2020. Note the waiver also applies to Commercial Learner’s Permits and non-CDL drivers.

FMCSA has granted a waiver through June 30, 2020 for COVID-19 for the following:

·        CDLs with expiration dates on or after March 1, 2020 will now be valid until June 30, 2020 (expiration date is now June 30, 2020).

·        CLPs (Commercial Learning Permit) with expiration dates on or after March 1, 2020 will now be valid until June 30, 2020 without requiring holders to retain general or endorsement knowledge tests.

·        Waives requirement CLP holders wait 14 days to take CDL skills tests.

·        Waives medical exams and certifications for CDL, CLP and non-CDL holders whose medical cards expired on or after March 1, 2020, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification that was issued for a period of 90 days or longer and that expired on or after March 1, 2020.

·        Waives the requirement that in order to maintain the medical certification status of “certified,” CDL or CLP holders provide the State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) with an original or copy of a subsequently issued medical examiner’s certificate. Also waives the requirement that SDLAs downgrade CDLs to not-certified, provided that the license holder has proof of a valid medical certification that expired on or after March 1, 2020.

Important Points Summarized:

  • CDLs that expire on or after March 1 are now valid until June 30, 2020. These associates can operate PTL and customer units.  CDLs that expired before March 1 and were not renewed are invalid.  Those associates cannot operate a PTL or customer units.
  • The FMCSA has no jurisdiction over driver licensing not involving a CDL.  They are controlled by the states.  You will need to check with your state of residence to determine if your state was one of many that extended the expiration dates for non CDL license holders.  Contact your local Safety Specialist if you need assistance.
  • Any physicals for CDL, CLP and non CDL license holders that were issued for 90 days or longer and expired on or after March 1, are valid for the duration of the State of Emergency. These associates can operate PTL and customer units.  Physicals that expired before March 1 and were not renewed are invalid.  Those associates cannot operate a PTL or customer unit.
  • Note: We do not know when the State of Emergency will be lifted. Once lifted, associates will have to get new physicals ASAP.  Drivers must have proof of a valid medical certificate that expired on or after March 1, 2020 and carry of a paper copy of the expired medical certificates. Drivers who take advantage of the waiver should also carry a copy of the Waiver (attached) and the Enforcement Notice.

Impact on DQ File Management and Compliance:

  • DQ files must still be maintained as usual.
  • The waiver has no impact on such required items as the application, SPHRRs, annual review/certification of violations, etc.
  • All FMCSA required road testing shall be delayed until further notice.
  • For associates with CDLs and Med Certs that expired before March 1, those renewals are required and you must ensure those associates to not drive until renewed.
  • Since you may be unable to conduct road tests, obtain new licenses, CDLs and med certs during this National Emergency, JJ Keller will not count these items as violations when calculating your DQ File compliance scores.  You will continue to get the periodic notices so that you are informed and can prepare to address these items when we return to normalcy.
  • We will continue to send out the monthly DQ File Compliance Report.
  • Any questions should be directed to your local Safety Specialist

USDOT Information courtesy of Dominic Krupp, Penske