Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/482464
W hether you're behind the wheel of your family's minivan or your company's drilling rig, you're responsible for your own safety—and the safety of others—every time you turn the key. To keep our nation's roads safer, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been taking a closer look at drivers' health and has officially changed how commercial drivers receive and report their medical certifications. "These standards aren't really new," says Jim Wright, com- pliance manager with National Exploration Wells and Pumps in Shawnee, Kansas. "The entire process has been going on for the past three years." Changes began going into effect in 2012, but parts were delayed until 2015 to allow states time to comply with the new regulations. The final portion of the regulation went into effect on January 30, 2015. Here's what drivers and business owners need to know in order to avoid being put out service for noncompliance. Medical exams completed by certified examiners If drivers are used to seeing their family doctor for their federal medical certification exams, they may need to switch doctors in order to be medically certified to drive. All interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers— drivers who cross state lines—whose current medical card expired on or after May 21, 2014 must now be examined by a certified physician on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (77 FR 24130). CMV drivers who only drive within their state are not affected by this rule, although some states may also require an exam from a certified examiner for their medical require- ments. Check with your state's licensing agency to verify the medical requirements in your state. DON'T BE PUT OUT OF SERVICE Make sure you know how to comply with recent FMSCA driver qualifications. By Jennifer Strawn Twitter @WaterWellJournl WWJ April 2015 15 QUALIFICATIONS continues on page 16 (COVER STORY)