Info for Drivers

FMCSA Now Requires Medical Exams For Commercial Truck and Bus Drivers

Source: Teamster Nation
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued a rule that establishes a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry). Healthcare professionals who are on the National Registry are the only individuals who are permitted to perform physical qualification examinations for commercial truck and bus drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in interstate commerce. The healthcare professionals who are on the National Registry must first successfully complete training and testing on physical qualification standards and guidelines as set forth by the FMCSA.

Background Information

  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted crash investigations and determined that some crashes that resulted in fatalities and serious injuries were caused by drivers who had disqualifying medical conditions. To address this issue, the NTSB recommended that the FMCSA raise the standards for healthcare professionals who perform the medical examinations.
  • In response to the NTSB recommendation and a directive from the Congress, the FMCSA conducted rulemaking that resulted in a final rule that accomplished the following:
    • Established a National Registry; and
    • Developed training, testing, and continuing education requirements for healthcare professional who perform the physical examinations for commercial drivers who are involved in interstate commerce.

Impact on Interstate CMV Drivers

  • If your medical certificate expires on or after May 21, 2014, you must obtain a physical examination from a medical examiner who is listed on the National Registry.
  • Employers are still required to ensure that all drivers who operate CMVs on their behalf are medically qualified. As was the case prior to the effective date of this rule, those employers may require drivers to be examined by medical examiners that are acceptable to the employer.

To find an approved medical examiner in your area, use the following link. http://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov. To learn more, or if you have any questions please contact the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Safety and Health Department at phone: 202.624.6960 or email: ibtsafety@teamster.org

IBT Safety and Health Dept: National Registry of Medical Examiners

 

Federal laws will affect your commercial driver license!

Posted: July 1, 2015
Source: WA State Dept. of Licensing

On September 1, 2015, We will comply with the Federal requirement that all commercial drivers provide proof of lawful permanent residency or U.S. citizenship when they apply for or renew their commercial driver license (CDL) or commercial learner permit (CLP).

For current CDL and CLP holders this means 5 things:

  1. You are only required to present proof of lawful permanent residency or U.S. citizenship at your next renewal or other transaction that requires a change to your record. This includes name, address, and endorsement changes. The ability to renew and make changes to your personal driver license is not affected by these requirements.
  2. Sample photo of enhanced driver licenseIf you hold a valid enhanced personal driver license or enhanced commercial driver license issued in Washington before September 1, 2015, you are not required to again prove your permanent legal residency or U.S. citizenship. This type of license is identified by a red colored bar at the top of the card and the words “ENHANCED DRIVER LICENSE” or “ENHANCED COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE.”
  3. Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is not required to replace a lost, damaged or stolen card. Duplicate commercial learner permits and commercial driver licenses may be purchased at any driver license office.
  4. Visit a CDL/CLP office to complete your transaction.
  5. You must provide 1 of 6 federally approved, government-issued documents. Obtaining duplicate documents can take several weeks. We advise you to begin the process immediately if you do not currently have at least one in your possession. Photocopies are not accepted.
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Teamsters Local Union No. 174