What happens if you get pulled over without a dot medical card

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued multiple waivers and extensions related to Commercial Driver Licenses. In particular, the following waivers are currently in effect regarding medical certifications (Med Cards):

• Drivers whose medical certification or variance expired on or after March 1 and before June 1, 2020, have until October 31, 2020 to update their medical certificate; and

• Drivers whose medical certification or variance expired on or after June 1, 2020, have until December 31, 2020 to update their medical certificate.

It is vital that drivers falling into these categories update their Med Cards to avoid decertification and disqualification. Drivers are encouraged to self certify and/or update their medical certification information using the link below.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require all Commercial Driver License holders to certify with the State’s Driver License Agency in one of the four categories below prior to the issuance or renewal of a CDL. Those certifying in non-excepted interstate or non-excepted intrastate commerce (Category A or C) must also ensure their medical examiner certificate (Med Card) is on file with the state issuing agency and that it remains current. Failure to present a valid Med Card, when required, will result in the denial of the issuance or renewal of the CDL. Failure to maintain current a valid Med Card on file may result in CDL disqualification. Visit //www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical to learn more about medical requirements.

1. Non-excepted Interstate – I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce and am required to maintain federal medical certification. (Med Card Required)
2. Excepted Interstate – I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, but engage exclusively in operations that qualify me for exception from the requirement to maintain federal medical certification.
3. Non-excepted Intrastate – I operate or expect to operate only in intrastate commerce and am required to meet state of Florida medical certification requirements. (Med Card Required)
4. Excepted Intrastate – I operate or expect to operate only in intrastate commerce, but engage exclusively in operations that qualify me for exception from state of Florida medical certification requirements.

CDL holders can no longer claim exemption from medical certification requirements because they are not currently operating in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce. If not specifically included in category B or D above, they must maintain their medical certification or downgrade to a non-commercial license.

Note: If you self-certify in a category exempt from medical certification requirements (Category B or D) and later change to a non-exempt type of operation (Category A or C), you must recertify in the appropriate category and provide proof of valid medical certification to avoid potential enforcement actions.

Medical Certification FAQ

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations now require all drivers obtaining an original CDL, or renewing their CDL, to certify with the driver license office in one of four categories. Drivers certifying in non-excepted interstate or non-excepted intrastate commerce must also provide valid medical documentation. Certification categories are listed above.

• CDL holders can no longer claim exemption from medical certification requirements because they are not currently operating in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce. If not specifically included in category B or D, you must maintain your medical certification or downgrade to a non-commercial license.

• Yes. Drivers operating only in intrastate commerce are advised to consider self-certifying in the non-excepted interstate category (Category A) if eligible. Drivers not eligible to certify in Category A include drivers under 21 years of age and drivers with certain medical conditions who do not have a federally issued medical variance. Drivers self-certifying in Category C who are not eligible to self-certify in Category A will have restrictions to intrastate commerce placed on their CDL.

• Yes. You are required to maintain current medical documentation on file. Failure to do so may result in CDL disqualification.

• No. Once you have provided the Med Card to the driver license agency you are not required to carry the Med Card.  We suggest carrying your Med Card for at least 15 days after submission to ensure the driver record has been updated.

• Since you will be operating, at times, in non-excepted interstate commerce for a long haul trucking firm, you must certify in Category A – Non-excepted Interstate, and you must have a valid Med Card.

• All CDL holders required to have a valid medical certificate must comply with the regulations in Part 383. The regulations provide no exceptions to service members on active deployment. If a service member can provide an acceptable medical certificate, his/her medical certification will continue. Otherwise, the state will have to begin the downgrade process.