FMCSA proposes rule to immediately transmit medical exam results to state licensing agencies

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Friday, May 10, issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking changing the form medical examiners use when performing physical exams on commercial motor vehicle drivers and requiring the medical examiners to report results of completed physicals to FMCSA by close of business on the day of examination.

This is the second part of an original rule created last year by FMCSA that established the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, which requires truck drivers to receive medical certification from an FMCSA-approved examiner. The bulk of the requirements goes into effect next year.

FMCSA says the new portion of the rule proposed this week also includes a requirement that FMCSA transmit medical information electronically for all CDL holders to state drivers license agencies upon receipt from the medical examiner. This would ensure that state and federal enforcement officers have the most current information available regarding the medical status of a CDL holder, FMCSA says. It also means, however, that a medical report that voids a CDL due to failure to meet medical requirements also would be transmitted immediately.

However, the rule change would mean drivers would no longer have to give their medical certificates or any medical documents to their state issuing agency, FMCSA says. Fleets would no longer be required to verify the National Registry Number of the medical examiner who issued the certification, either, the agency says.

FMCSA is proposing that the rule go into effect three years from the date it is finalized.

To comment on the proposed rule, visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov and use the docket number FMCSA-2012-0718. Comments may also be mailed to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, D.C., 20590 or hand delivered to the same address.

They can also be faxed to 202-493-2251.

All submissions must reference the docket number.

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