Several FMCSA waivers are extended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. They were set to expire on September 30th. The latest extension will give drivers until December 31, 2020 to renew their expired CDL or CLP. Extension deadlines for medical card renewals will depend on when the driver’s card expired. Thеse new waivers become effective on October 1st. They apply to License renewals, Medical Certification renewals, HOS emergency and SDLA reporting requirements in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Please note that FMCSA Drug and Alcohol testing requirements are still in effect and are not part of this waiver.
Please read the specific provisions below, as the dates and applicability vary.
HOS Emergency Waiver
Federal regulators have extended a national emergency order exempting carriers and drivers from certain hour-of-service (HOS) regulations until Dec. 31.
“FMCSA is continuing the exemption because the presidentially declared national emergency remains in place, and because a continued exemption is needed to support direct emergency assistance for some supply chains,” the agency stated in its latest order. “This extension addresses national emergency conditions that create a need for immediate transportation of essential supplies and provides necessary relief from [federal regulations] for motor carriers and drivers.”
According to FMCSA , this exemption is a big relief to drivers and carriers and gives them the flexibility to move certain cargo and products. It applies to :
- Livestock and livestock feed;
- Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
- Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants;
- Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.
CDL related FMCSA Waivers
Background
On March 24, 2020, FMCSA granted a waiver covering various regulatory provisions affecting CDL holders, CLP holders, and drivers operating CMVs (non-CDL drivers) that was set to expire on June 30, 2020. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, many State Driver Licensing Agencies closed their offices. As a result, many CDL and CLP holders were unable to renew their CDLs and CLPs and were unable to provide medical certificates.
The latest FMCSA waivers extension applies to the following CDL requirements in the specified time frames and situations.
CDL Licensing
- Extend until December 31, 2020, the maximum period of CDL validity for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020;
- Extend until December 31, 2020, the maximum period of CLP validity for CLPs that are due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020, without requiring the CLP holders to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests;
- Waive until December 31, 2020, the requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test;
Medical Certification
This notice will waive, in accordance with the following periods of eligibility, the requirement that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance that were issued for a period of 90 days or longer:
- For CDL holders, CLP holders, and non- CDL drivers whose medical certification was valid on February 29, 2020 and expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1, 2020, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 is waived until October 31, 2020.
- For CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers whose medical certification expired on or after June 1, 2020, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 is waived until December 31, 2020.
**NOTE: This does not apply to drivers whose medical card is less than 90 days.
Medical Certification Requirements for SDLAs
The requirement : in order to maintain the medical certification status of “certified,” CDL or CLP holders provide the SDLA with an original or copy of a subsequently issued medical examiner’s certificate and any required medical variance:
- For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1,2020,is waived until October 31,2020.
- For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after June 1, 2020 is waived until December 31, 2020.
Requirement that the SDLA change the CDL or CLP holder’s medical certification status to “not certified” upon the expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance:
- For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1,2020, is waived until October 31, 2020.
- For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after June 1, 2020 is waived until December 31, 2020.
Requirement that the SDLA initiate a CDL or CLP downgrade upon the expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance:
- For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1,2020 is waived until October 31, 2020.
- For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after June 1, 2020 is waived until December 31, 2020.
For full FMCSA Waivers , please CLICK HERE