New federal law requiring a copy of your medical card to be sent to BMV.

[Corrupted_Tongue]

All CDL drivers who cross state lines must submit a copy of their Medical Examiners Certificate (medical card) to their local BMV. This new law will take place Jan. 30, 2012.

What do you think about this new federal requirement?

[Fozzy]

It's already the law in several states.. not a big deal really.

[golfhobo]

We had a pretty good discussion about this some time ago. I can't seem to find the thread. Anyway, I called Raleigh and got the scoop. Although the effective date is Jan 30, 2012... you actually have until the end of 2014. IF your license is up for renewal before then, you can do it when you go to renew your license... but, they don't suggest you wait that long. IF you're license is up for renewal anytime in 2015, it will be too late (or at least, that's what she said.) As of January 2016, you will begin to get a letter decertifying your CDL.

It really is no big deal. You should have gotten (or soon will) a letter telling you about it. There is an address on the letter where you can mail a "front and back" copy of your medical card and CDL. That's all you have to do. [I suggest including a copy of the letter you receive.]

IF, however, you have any kind of medical restrictions, or that SPE thingy (not sure about the acronym,) you must appear in person before the DMV (BMV) and show your card.

[Malaki86]

It's been the law in WV since I got my CDL in 2000. Every time I renew, I have to take in my long form.

[Mackman]

What happens if you stop driving but want to keep your CDL. Just to have it. You still have to get your med. card to renew?? If so that sounds like a joke to me.

[Fozzy]

Sort of.. without a medical card, you do not have a fully functional CDL

[dle]

I renewed my license in November, the folks at the DPS never said anything about this. Nothing on the announcement boards either.

[Douglas]

I'm a city worker and we've never been required to have a medical card.

[Fozzy]

I'm a city worker and we've never been required to have a medical card.

Do you cross state lines? If not that's probably why.. intra-state driving in some states doesn't require the Med Card

[Bumper]

In Kalifornia we have to send them a copy of the long form physical and carry the original in the truck with us at all times.

[Roadhog]

In Michigan, even the Chauffeur license requires a Med card.

[beaner]

ok wondered what that was about got the letter in the mail last month now i know thanks

[golfhobo]

What happens if you stop driving but want to keep your CDL. Just to have it. You still have to get your med. card to renew?? If so that sounds like a joke to me.

Under the new regulations... and this is NOT a State definable issue... YES!

Unless your state DMV has a copy of your Med certification on file in the SDLIS, they will be required to DOWNGRADE your license to a class "C" after the effective date. At that point, you would have to have another physical AND pay for the upgrade back to class "A." [Don't know if you'll have to retake the tests.]

Apparently, there are far too many drivers out there using their CDL to get jobs driving big rigs without "current" medical certification. It's all about highway safety and no... Obama didn't start this!

If I had to guess at the root cause of this, it would be that most states have gone to 5 or 8 year license renewal periods, whereas... CDL med certs have always been for only 2 years. Obviously, it would be a problem to have drivers out there with "active" CDL's who are no longer medically qualified to drive per regulations.

IF you get stopped for a traffic violation, OR in case of an accident, it is only reasonable that when the officer runs your license it should tell him if you are medically qualified to be driving the truck you just rammed into the back of passenger vehicle killing 3 small children!

These new requirements are to make sure that your medical "status" is part of the database they can access when they run your license. AND to make sure that state DMV's can revoke CDL's for any driver who is not currently medically qualified. I don't see a problem.

[GMAN]

I keep my medical card in my wallet. If the DOT wants to see it I can pull it out at the same time I get my license because they are next to one another in my wallet. This is yet another way for them to gain more incremental control.

[golfhobo]

Sort of.. without a medical card, you do not have a fully functional CDL

Nice to see you again, Fozzy. At the risk of irritating you...

Without current medical certification ON FILE in your SDLIS, you don't actually HAVE a CDL. It will immediately be downgraded to a class "C." Just another 4-wheeler.

There is no such thing as a "marginally" functional CDL. But, I'm sure that's what you meant.

BTW... IF this happens, your company will be notified (as I understand it) and you will immediately lose your job.

But, I suppose you know as much or more about this than I as I gather you are employed in Safety at a carrier.

I just read fmcsa articles and updates to regs.

I really hope we continue to see participation from you this year. Some of us really miss you. And we will NEVER forget.

Best wishes for a happy and peaceful New Year.

[golfhobo]

I keep my medical card in my wallet. If the DOT wants to see it I can pull it out at the same time I get my license because they are next to one another in my wallet. This is yet another way for them to gain more incremental control.

Firstly, how often has an officer asked to see your medical card? Do they even check the back of your license for "restrictions?" Would they know what they are looking at if your license is out of state?

Secondly, how easy is it to "alter" a paper copy of a Med card?

I realize you think everything is a power grab by Obama... but, are you not concerned that drivers out there aren't suffering from some condition that makes them unsafe?

As an O/O, you probably don't have to deal with this but... EVERY time I leave my terminal, or any OTHER FedEx terminal, I have to show my Med Card. Apparently, this has become a problem that has gotten the attention of the fmcsa. They have decided that the easiest way to ensure medical qualification is to tie it to a national database under your driver's license number. What could be more simple and efficient?

It's not so different than checking the tag (registration) of a 4-wheeler they pull over for "wants and warrants." All they are doing is making sure that the driver of the big rig is legally licensed and medically qualified to be driving the rig.

Perhaps, as an O/O they should check to see if you've paid your TAXES for the year? That your insurance company hasn't gone out of business? That, if you are self-insured, you actually HAVE big bucks in your bank account?

There are much worse things that they could do besides ensuring that CDL holders are actually medically "safe" to be on the roads.

[GMAN]

Firstly, how often has an officer asked to see your medical card? Do they even check the back of your license for "restrictions?" Would they know what they are looking at if your license is out of state?

I have been asked for my medical card before. I don't have any restrictions on my license, but I am confident that any office would be able to read and understand any restrictions on my license, regardless of the state of issue.


Secondly, how easy is it to "alter" a paper copy of a Med card?

I don't think that it would be that easy to alter a paper copy without it being obvious that the original was changed.

I realize you think everything is a power grab by Obama... but, are you not concerned that drivers out there aren't suffering from some condition that makes them unsafe?

I am more concerned about being cut off by a 4 wheeler talking or texting on a cell phone, putting on make up or reading a newspaper than some driver who may have a medical condition that would cause him to have an accident.

As an O/O, you probably don't have to deal with this but... EVERY time I leave my terminal, or any OTHER FedEx terminal, I have to show my Med Card. Apparently, this has become a problem that has gotten the attention of the fmcsa. They have decided that the easiest way to ensure medical qualification is to tie it to a national database under your driver's license number. What could be more simple and efficient?

Whether I own the truck or am a company driver I have to abide by the same laws and regulations as everyone else who has a CDL. I would question if bogus or out of date medical cards are that prevalent. Just like the background checks for hazmat and TWIC, this is bound to line someone's pockets. Otherwise, I don't see that it would be an issue. I don't have a problem showing my medical card to any DOT officer who asks. I don't really have a problem showing it to my DMV when I renew my license. The problem is that it will take my time and money to make a trip to my DMV every 2 years to show them my current medical form. I also don't know who will have access to my personal medical information. It is too easy for people to gain access to personal information in this country. Once it is out there, you don't know what happens to it. It is not efficient for me to have to remember to go to my dmv every 2 years to show my medical form. It will increase costs to states to comply and they will likely pass those additional costs to all of us when we renew our CDL.

It's not so different than checking the tag (registration) of a 4-wheeler they pull over for "wants and warrants." All they are doing is making sure that the driver of the big rig is legally licensed and medically qualified to be driving the rig.

It is different in that it involves personal information. There is no need for them to have a copy of the medical form. They can ask for the medical card at the same time they ask for my CDL if they want to run a check on me.

Perhaps, as an O/O they should check to see if you've paid your TAXES for the year? That your insurance company hasn't gone out of business? That, if you are self-insured, you actually HAVE big bucks in your bank account?

It may be coming. The more information the government compiles on citizens the more control they will want. The IRS is already quietly getting John Doe warrants to be able to search state databases for transfers of property. It enables them to do fishing expeditions on citizens who may never have done anything. The more information they compile the easier it will be for them to harrass or shake down citizens. I am amazed that you can't see the potential for abuse.


There are much worse things that they could do besides ensuring that CDL holders are actually medically "safe" to be on the roads.

We don't know what they will want next. If someone has a medical card or long form then you can expect that the driver is medically qualified. Showing the form to the dmv will not do any more to demonstrate a driver's medical qualifications than to show it to a dot officer.

[Orangetxguy]

Here is an article posted on OOIDA's website about this very subject;


Medical certification rule to have truckers checking in with DMV

By Jami Jones, Land Line managing editor
After Jan. 30, truckers headed off to the state driver’s licensing agency need to have one more piece of paper to stay legal with your CDL – proof of medical certification.
A new regulation that goes into effect on Jan. 30 mandates that all interstate CDL holders and applicants provide proof of their medical certification to their home state licensing agency.
The regulation, which was published in 2008, will eventually require by Jan. 30, 2014, that the agencies input the proof of certification into the commercial driver’s license information system – dubbed CDLIS by the feds – to give roadside law enforcement access to the certification and CDL electronically.
However, many states were not prepared for the CDLIS reporting requirement so the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration delayed the state’s data entry deadline to 2014.
In the meantime, anyone who has a licensing “action,” such as renewal, upgrade, transfer, etc., after Jan. 30 will have to provide proof of medical certification. It’s up to the states to decide if the medical examiners “long form” or the actual medical certificate will be required. Either way, that proof must be presented when conducting CDL-related business at the state licensing agency.
In addition to proving your medical certification, drivers will be asked to self-certify whether they are interstate or intrastate drivers and whether they work in an exempt segment of the industry – like school bus drivers or fire department personnel.
Each state will enact different timelines for CDL holders to provide medical certification proof and to self certify those who do not have a licensing action coming up for the next couple of years because all CDL holders must report by Jan. 30, 2014.
OOIDA will maintain a state-by-state breakdown of the requirements on its website. You can also find frequently asked questions about the medical certification there as well.
Copyright © OOIDA

Okie Dokie??

[Orangetxguy]

Firstly, how often has an officer asked to see your medical card? Do they even check the back of your license for "restrictions?" Would they know what they are looking at if your license is out of state?

Secondly, how easy is it to "alter" a paper copy of a Med card?

I realize you think everything is a power grab by Obama... but, are you not concerned that drivers out there aren't suffering from some condition that makes them unsafe?

As an O/O, you probably don't have to deal with this but... EVERY time I leave my terminal, or any OTHER FedEx terminal, I have to show my Med Card. Apparently, this has become a problem that has gotten the attention of the fmcsa. They have decided that the easiest way to ensure medical qualification is to tie it to a national database under your driver's license number. What could be more simple and efficient?

It's not so different than checking the tag (registration) of a 4-wheeler they pull over for "wants and warrants." All they are doing is making sure that the driver of the big rig is legally licensed and medically qualified to be driving the rig.

Perhaps, as an O/O they should check to see if you've paid your TAXES for the year? That your insurance company hasn't gone out of business? That, if you are self-insured, you actually HAVE big bucks in your bank account?

There are much worse things that they could do besides ensuring that CDL holders are actually medically "safe" to be on the roads.

1; I have been asked for my medical card every time I have been inspected. And......I have been inspected a bunch over the years.

2; Yes ............. I wear glasses.......

3; Yes again. I haven't had to many LEO's whom did not understand the back of any of the licenses from the various states I have resided in over the years. When the CDL program was fully implemented in 1990, it became a lot easier for them to check you out.

In the 70's and early 80's......When you could hold drivers licenses from multiple states.......It was harder for the Dog to know what you had done.....hence the CDL program.

I at one time had valid licenses in my wallet for Montana, Wyoming, Oklahoma .......and Utah. Of course.....they were handy when I was roaring back home to Montana for a long weekend....and the national speed limit was 55. I always protected my job.....and my license of "residence". I got popped for 70 in a 40 in Georgetown Idaho once. Used my Oklahoma license for that (when I was driving back to my job after that weekend I cut down the tree that hid the speed zone sign on US30). I was going slightly faster in late 79 (I was driving my sister's brand new Camero Z....that sucker floated at 95 across the salt flats) when I was headed over to Wendover for a weekend of gambling on a 4 day weekend. Luckily I won enough playing Black Jack to pay for the entire weekend. Used my Utah license for that one!!

and lastly.........I have never thought to change my medical card. Why would I want to??