“Is there any grace period in place for DOT Medical Cards during the COVID-19 pandemic?”
Short answer: NO! not any longer.
LATEST UPDATE: October 21, 2022
FMCSA issued a series of Federal Emergency Declarations starting March 24, 2020.
The final update was issued on August 31, 2022 and expired after October 15, 2022.
No further updates have been issued by FMCSA and the FMCSA official website states for Federal Emergency Declarations
“There are no active Emergency Declarations at this time.”
Here is a history of FMCSA COVID-19 Federal Emergency Declarations.
FMCSA Update: August 31, 2022 Extension to October 15, 2022
Originally posted: March 24, 2020
FMCSA has issued both a Notice and a Waiver. Both are effective to June 30, 2020; September 30, 2020; October 31, December 31, 2020, February 28, 2021, May 31, 2021, August 31, 2021, November 30, 2021, May 31, 2022, August 31, 2022, October 15, 2022.
POST UPDATE: August 31, 2022
This notice continues the relief granted in Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002, as modified on June 15, 2020, August 15, 2020, December 1, 2020, August 31, 2021, and June 1, 2022, through October 15, 2022, subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth herein unless modified or terminated sooner. This extension of the modified Emergency Declaration addresses national emergency conditions that create a need for immediate transportation of essential supplies and provides necessary relief from the FMCSRs for motor carriers and drivers.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
POST UPDATE: May 27, 2022
FMCSA is continuing the exemption and associated regulatory relief in accordance with 49 CFR § 390.25, because the presidentially declared emergency remains in place, persistent issues arising out of COVID-19 continue to affect the U.S. including impacts on supply chains, and nationwide reporting continues to demonstrate substantial ongoing use of the regulatory relief under Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002. Therefore, a continued exemption is needed to support direct emergency assistance for some supply chains. This notice continues the relief granted in Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002, as modified on June 15, 2020, August 15, 2020, December 1, 2020, August 31, 2021, and May 13, 2022, through August 31, 2022, as amended, and subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth herein unless modified or terminated sooner. This extension and amendment of the modified Emergency Declaration addresses national emergency conditions that create a need for immediate transportation of essential supplies and provides necessary relief from the FMCSRs for motor carriers and drivers.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
POST UPDATE: February 27, 2022
Grace period for this waiver has been extended: In accordance with 49 CFR § 390.25, this extension of the modified Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 is effective at 12:00 A.M. (ET), March 1, 2022 and shall remain in effect until 11:59 P.M. (ET), May 31, 2022, unless modified or terminated sooner by FMCSA.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
4. Waives until May 31, 2022, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5T such as an exemption letter or a skill performance evaluation certificate) issued for a period of 90 days or longer and expired on or after December 1, 2021.
POST UPDATE: November 29, 2021
Grace period for this waiver has been extended: This waiver is effective December 1, 2021 and expires on February 28, 2022, upon the revocation of the Declaration of National Emergency under 42 U.S.C. § 5191(b) concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency, or upon early termination by FMCSA, whichever is soonest.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
4. Waives until February 28, 2022, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5T such as an exemption letter or a skill performance evaluation certificate) issued for a period of 90 days or longer and expired on or after September 1, 2021.
POST UPDATE: September 1, 2021
Grace period for this waiver has been extended: This waiver is effective September 1, 2021 and expires on November 30, 2021, upon the revocation of the Declaration of National Emergency under 42 U.S.C. § 5191(b) concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency, or upon early termination by FMCSA, whichever is soonest.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
4. Waives until November 30, 2021, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5T such as an exemption letter or a skill performance evaluation certificate) issued for a period of 90 days or longer and expired on or after June 1, 2021.
POST UPDATE: May 26, 2021
Grace period for this waiver has been extended: This waiver is effective June 1, 2021 and expires on August 31, 2021 or upon the revocation of the Declaration of National Emergency under 42 U.S.C. § 5191(b) concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever is sooner.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
4. Waives until August 31, 2021, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5T such as an exemption letter or a skill performance evaluation certificate) issued for a period of 90 days or longer and expired on or after March 1, 2021.
POST UPDATE: February 25, 2021
Grace period for this waiver has been extended: This waiver is effective March 1, 2021 and expires on May 31, 2021 or upon the revocation of the Declaration of National Emergency under 42 U.S.C. § 5191(b) concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever is sooner.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
4. Waives until May 31, 2021, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5T such as an exemption letter or a skill performance evaluation certificate) issued for a period of 90 days or longer and expired on or after December 1, 2020.
POST UPDATE: January 01, 2021
Grace period for this waiver has been extended: This waiver is effective January 1, 2021 and expires on February 28, 2021 or upon the revocation of the President’s Declaration of National Emergency under 42 U.S.C. § 5191(b) concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever is sooner.
See FMCSA official website for more information.
4. Waives until February 28, 2021, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 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 (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5T such as an exemption letter or a skill performance evaluation certificate) that was issued for a period of 90 days or longer and that expired on or after September 1, 2020.
POST UPDATE: September 22, 2020
Grace period for this waiver has been extended to October 31 OR December 31, 2020, depending on expiration date of current medical card.
- 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.
Link to the September 18, 2020 FMCSA Notice.
POST UPDATE: June 15, 2020
Grace period for this waiver has been extended to September 30, 2020.
“This Notice of Enforcement Policy, effective until September 30, 2020, extends a previous notice that was effective from March 24, 2020 until June 30, 2020. It provides needed relief from specified FMCSRs for CLP holders, CDL holders, and non-CDL drivers and motor carriers using those drivers. This Notice of Enforcement Policy applies to all CLP holders, CDL holders, and non-CDL drivers whose licenses were issued for less than the maximum period established by 49 CFR 383.25 and 383.73 and was valid on February 29, 2020 and expired on or after March 1, 2020.”
Link to the June 15, 2020 FMCSA Notice.
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March 24,2020 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued this NOTICE
Notice Of Enforcement Policy Regarding Expiring Driver’s Licenses and Medical Examiner’s Certificates During COVID-19 National Emergency
~~~
March 24,2020 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued this WAIVER
Waiver in Response to the COVID-19 Emergency –
For States, CDL Holders, CLP Holders, and Interstate Drivers Operating Commercial Motor Vehicles
~~~
Please read both the Notice and the Waiver to fully understand if you qualify under the Terms, Conditions, and Restrictions.
We summarize the pertinent points regarding expired or expiring medical cards:
- The waiver applies to interstate and intrastate CDL holders and to interstate non-CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles.
- The waiver applies to drivers who have a medical examination and certification, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification that was issued for a period of 90 days or longer and that expired on or after March 1, 2020.
- Drivers claiming relief under the waiver from the requirement for a valid medical certificate must have proof of a valid medical certificate that expired on or after March 1, 2020, and carry a paper copy of their expired medical certificates. Drivers who cannot produce evidence of a prior medical certification that expired on or after March 1, 2020, are not covered under the waiver.
- The waiver does not apply to medical examiner’s certificates originally issued for less than 90 days.
- Drivers who, since their last medical certificate was issued, have been diagnosed with a medical condition that would disqualify the driver from operating in interstate commerce, or who, since their last medical certificate was issued, have developed a condition that requires an exemption or Skill Performance Evaluation from FMCSA are not covered under the waiver.
In addition, to address circumstances that many State Driver Licensing Agencies are closed, the Waiver:
- Waives the requirement under 49 CFR 383.73(o)(2) that the State Driver Licensing Agency 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 the CDL or CLP holders have proof of a valid medical certification that expired on or after March 1, 2020.
- Waives the requirements under 49 CFR 383.73(o)(4) that the State Driver Licensing Agency initiate a CDL or CLP downgrade upon the expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided that the CDL or CLP holders have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020.
So YES there is relief in the form of a grace period during the COVID-19 National Emergency for you to renew your Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
Take advantage of any downtime you have and don’t wait and get caught by the Waiver expiration. Get your new medical card as soon as possible!
During the #coronavirus emergency period many of our medical examiners are still open on a full-time schedule to serve you. Some are seeing drivers on an appointment only basis. We recommend calling first to ensure you’ll be promptly and personally taken care of.
Check out our DOTPhysicalDoctors nationwide for a driver friendly™ DOT physical exam.
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I have CDL that expires in December and medical card went out 2016 although I haven’t operated a commercial vehicle since May 2016 do I still need a new medical card to keep my CDL although I will not be driving a commercial vehicle I just would like to keep my CDL worked hard for them.
@ Sharon
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Your cdl is state issued and they operate on different guidelines in each state. Best to check with your local drivers license department for the your answer.
My Medical card expired and I got a notice from Illinois SOS to surrender my License, I don’t need my CDL any more , I don’t want to mail it back until I get a New license, CDL expires 7-6-2022, What should I do??
@ Stephen G
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. If you are going to down grade at this time you will need to go get a new drivers license.
I got suspended for dwi didn’t renew health card till after Harvey and covid 19 suspended 2016 just now paying fines and getting cleared once they get my fax with knew health card will they keep my cdl since I never kept card up to date during suspension.
@ Wesley E R
Your cdl/drivers license is state issued, so check with your local DLD for the best answer.
In Georgia will it also be a grace period for expired CDL’s if I have to get an appointment and my appointment is a few days after expiration date?
@ Curtis
Since your cdl is state issued, you will need to check with your local drivers license department for further information on this issue.
I have a driver in Florida that drives a bus with passengers. He has a CDL passenger endorsement. His medical card expired in August. and also developed a medical condition since then. Are they still allowed to drive passengers, and will they need to let the examiner know the new medical condition since his expired card was issued?
@ Peter H
Florida probably would not want him driving without a valid medical card. And yes, he will need to discuss his present medical condition.
are there any exemptions for having a defibrillator. I have a class B license in WV
@ Freddy T
You are a class B driver and will fall under your states variances and guidelines. Check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.
Does a COVID-19 Grace Period for CDL Medical Cards for the state of New Hampshire still exist? If so, can I print out something to verify that?
My DOT Medical Examiners Certificate will expire in November 2020 and want to know can I have it renewed in September or is that too early? I have a day off of work in September and would like to have the exam completed then.
@ Daniel T
Yes, you can re-new your card whenever you like, just be aware that the new card will invalidate your old card and starts on the new date of the examination.
When doing physical for CDL renewal and using a CPAP will I be able to use a download that only has 8 months of data? Received new machine and they were unable to get any data from old machine. Thanks.
@ Michelle
The CME only needs the last thirty days to make his decision.
So I was not working an my liscense got suspended on 3/18/20 cause i forgot to pay a ticket and my medical card expired on 3/31/20 how screwed am i?
@ Daniel M
Probably not too bad. Get the ticket paid and provide a copy of a new medical card to the state, they will guide you from there.
just got my card and cirt.this morning my currant card expires 8/1 what do I need to do now I live in texas
@ t.w
You have time to set an appointment for a new DOT/FMCSA physical examination.
A good place to go for a DOT Physical in CT?
Are the drivers still required to use a certified DOT doctor to do their DOT physicals amid the COVID pandemic?
@ gina
To our knowledge, DOT medical cards examinations are still to be completed by a DOT/FMCSA certified medical examiner. CME’s have a full understanding of the federal guidelines and regulations, where a primary physician has full understanding of there chosen profession, but not federal DOT regs.
Hi my medical card expires on june 21st how long do I have to get updated.. Can you please help…
@ Timothy
Anytime before June 21 would be best. Some states will void a license at midnight of the med card expiration date. Some states are a bit more lenient. Best bet, check with your state drivers license depart for a solid state answer.
did they give an extension date for july now?
@ mario r
Not that we are aware of. FMCSA has been setting new information forward as they go. Check the FMCSA website for further information.
I am on Short Term Disability awaiting shoulder replacement surgery that was postponed due to Covid-19, my CDL Medical Certificate will expire July 23rd, how do keep my CDL for when I return to work?
@ Tim
Since you would not be able to pass a DOT/FMCSA medical examination, your best bet is to contact your state drivers license department and ask what their procedures are for cases like yours. Most states have a process for your type of situation.
Change your medical card exemption at the drivers facility from non exempt to exempt and then when you return to work change it back.
hi….l’m staying in europe…not traveling back to usa due to coronavirus..waiting until the things ease up…what happens if my dot physical card expire?…
@ rudolf m
Nearly all states are making exceptions given the present situation. When you get back, do a new medical examination and get it to the state as soon as possible.
My question is, if my driver’s physical is going to expire in a few days (May 27th) does he need to just carry the letter above stating the grace period?
I got the flu the second week of February and I had it for 3 and a half weeks and was told not to go out for 2 more weeks without having a temperature so I was in the house for 5 weeks total and my medical card expired over the 60 days. What can I do because I got a new medical card and then I was told that my CDL was down graded to a non cdl.
@ Frank S Jr
Check with the state DLD, if you were sick and home bound due to possible Covid, then the states are making exceptions.
I live in VA and my DOT medical examiners certificate expires on 5/22/2020 how much of an extension do I have due to covet-19. Vdot will be closed until sometime in June I am told.
@ Donald L
Each state is different, but if there is no other way, email, fax, etc., expect that you have until they reopen. But confirm that there are no other ways to get a copy of a new medical card to VDOT.
I took my CDL Medical Exam on March 16,2020 before the due date the office’s were closed on Monday called the dmv in springfield il they said to mail in the medical exam to springfield il which i did now i have a letter telling me they want to suspend my license is there a fax or email i can send it to
@ Betty B
The two pieces of mail probably passed in the mail. Just check with your dmv for further contact information for your state, they will have a fax or email to send to.
my CDL medical exam expire in april 27 but dmv office are. closed now should i wait until they open or i have to do before expire date !
@ randeep
Both the state and the fed are allowing for a bit of lenience in these odd times. If you can get the medical card information to the dmv, either via fax or email, then get your medical done on time and then a the copy to the state.