Medical Self Certification Thing?
Topic 15386 | Page 1
It's DOT medical clearance for commercial drivers to ensure they're in adequate enough health and to flag any physical issues. Consider it "a physical" predominately for the CDL. Depending on physician's findings and if cleared, the next physical can be in a year, two years, or 3 years. You wouldn't get notices in the mail because it's your responsibility to obtain and renew the DOT medical clearance. Most schools and company sponsored trainings (if not all) require this preliminary clearance to enroll. Mine was basic without a drug screen. I failed the "forced whisper" test but passed the audiogram substitution (exception waivers can also be requested if the audiogram was failed, as well). I might be wrong on this as I already knew my firehouse's occupational physician also did DOT physicals (so i didn't have to "find" anyone and just used my own firehouse's doc), but the physician/practice must be state- and OSHA-approved to administer DOT physicals.
Welcome to the modern age of trucking!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Stomper wants to get back in the saddle:
I used to drive back in the 90's, OTR vans, reefers, and a bit of flats. Now that the kids are grown I'm thinking about getting back out on the road.
I assume you haven't driven 18 wheels since the 90's. Things have changed in the last 20 years. As Chris says, the only notice you'll get is the expiration date of the medical card in your wallet - is all up to you.
You can get a copy HERE to look over.
Also, even though you have the experience, expect to have to go through driving school again. When I went through the company school for Swift, there was a driving instructor who had to stop driving for family reasons for six months. Had to do school all over. But he tested out within a week. (This is not some driver lounge story, I have Gordon's phone number if you want to ask him.)
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Thanks guys!
I'm specifically asking about this that came into effect in 2013 it looks like.
I never did this. It used to be the medical examiner would give me a long form, I turned that in, and done.
This is something new. I never did this.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
So, Stomper, are you asking what to do now?
I believe Stomper's question is (obviously he can chime in and correct me if I'm wrong) this:
If I kept my CDL updated, but not my medical card, do I need to get my CDL again or is there a way to just get a new medical card and use my existing CDL?
So, Stomper, are you asking what to do now?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Not sure where you are located, but when I obtained my cdl-a permit last October in Kentucky, I was required to fill out a simple form called a Self Certification Form. It basically was a strange but simple form that I had to put my name, address, and driver's license number on with a couple of check boxes merely asking if I would be driving intrastate or interstate. It was worded very odd and basically the school told us how to fill them out lol. I think the forms came from the Ky Transportation Cabinet?, but my cdl school provided them, we filled them out and the school submitted them back to the state for us. We had to fill these out before we could take our written exams for our permit.
Maybe this is what you're asking about? If so, I couldn't imagine it would apply to you, as you've kept your cdl all these years.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Also stomper, if you maintained your cdl-a, I'd guess you're familiar with the DOT medical card requirements too. Only thing now is the DOT physical has to be performed by a DOT certified medical examiner and a copy must be submitted to your state or your cdl is inactivated if they don't have proof you've kept your DOT physical current.
I'd recommend calling your state DMV/BMV whatever they call it in your state and ask them.
Best of luck to you!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Bmv:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
FMCSA Regs regarding medical certs, are "supposed to be uniform" throughout all states as of 2016.
Your CDL will be "downgraded" to an regular operators license upon expiration of your DOT Med Cert.
For the state of Florida - you can log into the DMV and upload a scan of your new Med Card to their Commercial Drivers site and "self certify". At least in my case, after a couple of days I got an email telling me my self-certification was accepted. Keeps me from having to go into a DMV office and present my med card.
If you let your license downgrade, you must TURN IT IN for a regular operators - but can re-instate your CDL upon presentation of a current DOT Med Card.
I'm not sure HOW LONG you can leave it downgraded, without having to re-test to get your CDL back. Most DMV's are pretty vague about that (as is the FMCSA site).
VERY IMPORTANT to keep your med card current, and on file with your states DMV.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
FMCSA Regs regarding medical certs, are "supposed to be uniform" throughout all states as of 2016.
Your CDL will be "downgraded" to an regular operators license upon expiration of your DOT Med Cert.
For the state of Florida - you can log into the DMV and upload a scan of your new Med Card to their Commercial Drivers site and "self certify". At least in my case, after a couple of days I got an email telling me my self-certification was accepted. Keeps me from having to go into a DMV office and present my med card.
If you let your license downgrade, you must TURN IT IN for a regular operators - but can re-instate your CDL upon presentation of a current DOT Med Card.
I'm not sure HOW LONG you can leave it downgraded, without having to re-test to get your CDL back. Most DMV's are pretty vague about that (as is the FMCSA site).
VERY IMPORTANT to keep your med card current, and on file with your states DMV.
Rick
That's what I was looking for! I hope CA works the same as FL. So I'll just run over to DMV with my med card and ask for the right form or have mine reinstated, whatever they do. I've kept my CDL current and always got a med card when I had to renew but kind of fudged it a bit when my license wasn't up for renewal.
Thanks everyone, and thanks Sue, you were right on track also.
There is a local/regional outfit down the road from me that has sleeper trucks and day cabs. They say on their website that they occasionally take new students with a permit or license so I'm going to go and talk to them and see what they can do for me.
Thanks again all!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Day Cab:
A tractor which does not have a sleeper berth attached to it. Normally used for local routes where drivers go home every night.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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Hey gang,
I used to drive back in the 90's, OTR vans, reefers, and a bit of flats. Now that the kids are grown I'm thinking about getting back out on the road.
So I was chatting with an old driving buddy a bit ago and he asked me if I've done the medical card certifying thing. I had no idea what he was talking about (I've kept my CDL all these years).
I looked it up and apparently a few years back they made a law changing something with medical cards and that we have to send in a form of some sort, and if we didn't our class A was removed from our license.
I never got a letter or any kind of notification, which seems kind of shady....
Has anyone heard if it's a matter of going in and doing that form and get my class A turned back on or am I screwed?
Thanks!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.