June 29, 2020


From PMAA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a three-month extension of the emergency waiver validating expiring commercial driver licenses (CDL), commercial learner’s permits (CLP), and driver medical qualification certificates. The new emergency waiver takes effect July 1 and ends on September 30, 2020. The waiver applies to both intrastate and interstate drivers. The FMCSA said the waiver extension is necessary due to the ongoing closures of state licensing agencies and certified medical examiners that prevent drivers from renewing their CDL, CLP, and medical certificates. View the FMCSA waiver extension here.

Important! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an emergency waiver on April 2, 2020 extending expiring CDL hazardous material endorsements (HME) through July 31, 2020. PMAA is working with TSA to extend the HME waiver through September 30, 2020, as well.

Commercial Driver License Waivers

• The validity of an expiring or expired CDL license is extended through September 30, 2020 provided, it was valid on or before March 1, 2020.

Medical Examiner Certificates

• The validity of an expiring or expired medical certificate is extended through September 30, 2020 provided, it expired on or after March 1, 2020.
• The waiver is only valid if the driver has proof of a valid medical certificate and any medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020.
• Drivers must carry a copy of the expired certificate or variance while on duty.
• Drivers who have been diagnosed with a disqualifying medical condition or a medical condition requiring a variance since the issuance of their last medical certificate, are not covered under the waiver.
• The waiver does not apply to medical certificates issued for a period less than 90 days. 

Commercial Learner’s Permits

• The validity of an expiring or expired commercial learner’s permit is extended through September 30, 2020, provided it was valid on or before March 1, 2020.
• The 14-day period a CLP must wait before taking the CDL skills test is waived. 

Restrictions

• The waiver does not apply to any CDL or CLP holder if the driver’s privileges have been suspended or withdrawn for traffic offenses.
• The waiver does not alter any of the knowledge and skills testing requirements for obtaining either a CDL, a CLP, or a necessary endorsement.

Notification of Accidents

• Each motor carrier must notify FMCSA within 5 business days of an accident involving any CDL holder, CLP holder, or non-CDL driver operating under the terms of the waiver (see waiver for reporting process).