Commercial Drivers Get More Time to Renew Licenses, Medical Certificates
Waivers Put in Place
To give drivers more time to obtain the necessary medical certificates to renew their license, the FMCSA put waivers in place on March 24 and June 15th. CDL and CLP holders as well as non-CDL drivers were covered by these waivers.
Extending the Waiver
As COVID-19 continues to affect the trucking industry, the FMCSA chose to extend the waiver to December 31st. A specific item in the waiver states, “…For those with proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after June 1, it is waived until Dec. 31.” (September 21, 2020 article in Heavy Duty Trucking)
Plus, the waiver extension temporarily does away with the 14-day waiting period for CLP holders who plan to take the CDL skills exam.
Adhering to Trucking Regulations
The waivers put in place, then extended by the FMCSA are not meant to bypass trucking regulations. Instead, they give drivers extra time to obtain the proper certifications due to the delays and closures brought on by COVID-19. Drivers must still have the proper certification and medical approvals needed to operate their vehicle.
