Physical Qualifications For CDL Holders

Beginning January 30, 2014, changes to the driver medical certification process will go into effect.

Currently, all carriers are responsible for tracking the expiration of medical cards for their drivers. If a Fed Med card expires, the company usually reminds the driver to get a medical exam and get a new card.

By January 2014, the states will be required to take this over and centralize tracking of which drivers are maintaining a valid Fed Med card.  If the state’s DMV doesn’t have a card on file for a driver, they’ll suspend their license. Most states are starting this process now to ensure compliance by 2014, beginning with those who are receiving Fed Med cards and CDLs for the first time or renewing them.

According to the FMCSA, a driver is fit to operate a CMV if he or she:

A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person—

• Has no loss of a foot, a leg, a hand, or an arm, or has been granted a skill performance evaluation certificate

Has no impairment of:

• A hand or finger which interferes with prehension or power grasping; or
• An arm, foot, or leg which interferes with the ability to perform normal tasks associated with operating a commercial motor vehicle; or any other significant limb defect or limitation which interferes with the ability to perform normal tasks associated with operating a commercial motor vehicle; or has been granted a skill performance evaluation certificate