The FMCSA extends its waiver (once again) for expiring commercial driver’s licenses. This extension would be a relief for truck drivers who are struggling to renew their licenses, learner’s permits, or medical cards due to the ongoing pandemic.
FMCSA announced it’s original waiver on March 24 and set to last three months. In June, the agency extended the waiver until Sept. 30. In September, a third waiver was extended through the end of the year
The new waiver extension is set to take effect Jan. 1.
The FMCSA explained that due to the public health emergency, state driver’s licensing agencies in many states shut down completely or experienced higher than normal employee absences, making it tough for truckers to get their expiring licenses renewed on time.
“Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, many states are experiencing greater than normal employee absences, reduced hours of operation or closed offices of their state driver licensing agencies in response to the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to use social distancing,” FMCSA’s waiver notice states. “The pace of return-to-normal operations has varied across the country.”
“As a result, many CDL and CLP holders may be unable to renew … or provide medical certificates to their state driver licensing agency,” the FMCSA notice stated. “In addition, due to limited operations or backlogs, drivers may be unable to obtain appointments for physical examinations with medical examiners to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.”
FMCSA Waiver for CDL/CLP Drivers:
- Waive until Feb. 28, 2021, the maximum period of CDL validity for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020;
- Waive until Feb. 28, 2021, 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 Feb. 28, 2021, the requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test;
Medical Requirements for CDL/CLP and non-CDL drivers:
- This notice will waive, until Feb. 28, 2021, 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 issued for 90 days or longer that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020.
- This notice will also waive the requirement that, 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, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020.
For State Driver License Agencies (SDLA):
- This notice waives, until Feb. 28, 2021, the 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, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020. Additionally, the notice waives certain requirements regarding SDLAs downgrading a driver’s CDL or CLP upon expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided the SDLAs have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020.
“The waiver does not alter any of the knowledge and skills testing requirements for obtaining either a CDL, a CLP, or necessary endorsement,” the notice stated. “It does not allow states to extend the license of a CDL or CLP holder whose credential expired prior to March 1, 2020. It does not apply to a CDL or CLP holder if the driver’s privileges have been suspended or withdrawn for traffic offenses or if the driver is otherwise disqualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle.”
See full waiver HERE