It’s always important as a trucker to be on top of your registration and CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). That’s why everyone with a CDL should be aware that a big change is coming in January 2014.
By January 30, 2014, all CDL holders will need to submit a special new form to their CDL state’s licensing authority stating if they need to be medically certified by USDOT. Should you need to be certified, you need to present a copy of a current DOT medical certificate. Regardless of a CDL’s expiration date, all drivers must complete this form and, if applicable, submit their medical cards by this date. This new regulation is being put in place to link a driver’s DOT medical certificate with their CDL. Once the system is fully operational in 2014, drivers will no longer need to carry around a DOT medical certificate.
The form can be confusing, so be sure to familiarize yourself with it before going to the drivers license office (you can see some commonly asked questions about the form here). A driver that wants to keep a CDL that allows nationwide driving should check the box declaring they are an “interstate” driver and are required to have a physical. If you declare you are an interstate or intrastate driver but do not need to be medically certified, you will have to choose a driving occupation that does not legally require medical certification.
We encourage everyone to do this sooner rather than later. Especially in states like Texas, the penalties for not filling out this form by the required date include “downgrading” your CDL which wipes it completely from the books!
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