Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/62228
For the Record CDLs, medical certificates to combine N by JAMES JAILLET ew and existing CDL holders must comply by Jan. 30, 2014, with a new Federal Motor Car- rier Safety Administration policy that combines CDLs and driver medical certification cards, said FMCSA safety investigator John Seidl at a March 23 seminar in Louisville, Ky. The new CDL-medical certifi- cation card should be obtained when drivers renew their CDL within the next 22 months by simply providing your current medical certificate to your state drivers licensing agency. Seidl also said FMCSA is working on a policy to build a list of trained and certified health examiners, which, if passed, would require drivers to receive their medical certification from a doctor or physician on the certified list. Until then, drivers can receive their medial certification from any doctor, nurse practitioner or chiropractor. The general qualifi- cation for receiving certification, FYI | SHIPPERS DEFEND HOS RULE | On March 23, the National Shippers Stra- tegic Transportation Council intervened in the federal court appeal brought by Public Citizen and other interests that intend to oppose the most recent hours of service rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad- ministration. The group defends the FMCSA ruling that maintains the daily driving time at 11 hours. | FOR-HIRE TRUCKING INDEX UP | American Trucking Associations' seasonally adjusted truck tonnage index increased 5.5 percent in February from a year earlier and 0.8 percent from January. February's seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index followed a revised 3.1 percent increase in January. 12 | TRUCKERS NEWS | MAY 2012 Seidl said, is that a driver must "be in good health and physically able to perform all duties of a driver." Drivers must be evaluated and re-certified at the interval speci- fied. Also, if a new condition is discovered or a driver's condition changes, he or she must be evalu- ated again, even if the original certification is not out of date. Seidl also offered advice for talking with doctors, including describing what you do and asking how illnesses or injuries may affect you as a driver; if any treatments you receive may hamper your ability to drive, and, if so, what are alternatives; and what you can do to improve your recovery. He also recommended talking to pharmacists and doctors about your medications, including why you're taking a certain medica- tion, how much of it you should take, when you should take it, how you should take it, what you should do if you miss a dose and any side effects. | NAFTA SURFACE TRADE INCREASE | Surface transportation trade between the United States and Canada and Mexico in January increased 11.5 percent over January 2011 to $75.5 billion. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported both U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade increased in January compared with a year earlier. U.S.-Canada trade rose 9.6 percent to $44.1 billion, and U.S.-Mexico trade gained 14.3 percent to $31.4 billion. | NEW PETRO OPENS IN GEORGIA | A new Petro Stopping Center has opened at Interstate 85 off exit 150 in Carnesville, Ga., TravelCenters of America said. The stop has 250 truck parking spaces, 12 die- sel lanes, 18 showers, a Petro Lube service shop with five bays, a truck wash, weigh scale, driver's lounge, WiFi service and Under current policy, drivers must carry their medical certifica- tion cards with them and be able to produce it upon inspection. Certification is typically good for two years, unless there is an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure, that would cause a doctor to certify a driver for less time. scanning and faxing and copy services, among other amenities. | NEW IDLEAIR LOCATION OPENS | A new IdleAir service has opened in at the Love's truckstop off Interstate 10 at exit 302 near Benson, Ariz. The location is one of 26 sites across 12 states and provides truckers an alternative to idling engines. | RANDY HOUSER TO PERFORM AT WALCOTT | Country music singer Randy Houser will headline a 7 p.m. concert July 12 for the 33rd Walcott Truckers Jamboree. The event will be at the truckstop, off Interstate 80 at exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. The jamboree, held July 12-13, will feature more than 200 exhibits, a Super Truck Beauty Contest, antique truck display, cookout, trucker Olympics, carnival games, live music and a fireworks display. MAX HEINE