Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/232692
Logbook Jan. 30: Deadline for medical requirement Truck drivers have until Jan. 30 to self-certify their operating status and provide medical examiner's certificates to state driver's licensing agencies. On Jan. 30, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration began requiring commercial driver's license holders to identify if they conduct intrastate or interstate commerce and if they hold nonexcepted or excepted status. Most truckers are classified under nonexcepted interstate commerce and must furnish a current medical examiner's certificate to state agencies. Drivers qualify as excepted intrastate commerce if driving is limited to activities their licensing state has determined do not require them to meet its medical certification requirements. There are 11 federally excepted interstate categories, such as transporting propane winter heating fuel to a state that has declared an emergency, or driving as an employee of the federal, state or local government. Those who do not need to have a license renewal, upgrade or transfer during the two-year implementation process still must self-certify and provide the certificate, often called a DOT card, by this month's deadline. Drivers possessing medical examiner's certificates that are only valid with a vision, diabetes or a skills performance evaluation variance must provide copies of the variance to state agencies by the compliance date. State agencies that do not receive self-certification or any required documentation by the deadline must notify drivers that they no longer are medically certified in nonexcepted interstate commerce and will lose all CDL privileges. Most truckers must furnish a current certificate to state agencies proving they have passed a medical exam. A 2008 final rule required CDL holders subject to federal physical qualification to provide a medical certificate to state agencies. After several states reported they could not meet the original 2012 deadline, FMCSA extended the paper copy requirement. Interstate CDL holders must keep paper copies of their medical certificate with them, and carriers must file a paper copy, until Jan. 30. After that, the paper certificates will be valid the first 15 days after issuance. After the 15-day limit, certificates will be recorded on CDL holders' driving records and will be considered the valid medical certification. – Jill Dunn NOT FORGOTTEN. More than 143,000 Christmas wreaths were placed at the headstones of fallen U.S. soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery by 30,000 volunteers working with Wreaths Across America. Across the country, volunteers laid 540,000 wreaths delivered by more than 100 trucking companies at 908 veterans cemeteries. The program is sponsored in part by the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive publisher Randall-Reilly. THE OREGON TRUCKING ASSOCIATION last month sought a limited exemption for state timber haulers from the hours of service 30-minute break requirement, agreeing to restrict their duty day to 12 hours if relief was granted. WEST VIRGINIA will offer a guidance system to alert truckers to available parking in real time via roadside signs and the 511 Traveler Information platform. 14 | Overdrive | January 2014 Logbook_0114.indd 14 12/20/13 11:52 AM