Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026:
- Drivers can continue to rely on paper medical cards following an exam as FMCSA and states continue to iron out issues in the new electronic system.
- Overnight interstate closures planned out West.
- OOIDA members with college-age dependents encouraged to apply for scholarship.
FMCSA extends waiver to allow paper medical cards
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is extending its existing waiver that allows CDL and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders to continue to rely on a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of the driver’s medical certification for up to 60 days after the date the medical examiner’s certificate was issued.
FMCSA first issued the waiver in July and extended it in October. That extension expires Jan. 10. The new extension gives truck drivers the flexibility through April 10.
The waivers followed FMCSA’s implementation of its National Registry II (NRII) final rule, which required states to implement an electronic process for medical certification -- with examiners transmitting exam results to FMCSA via the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners and FMCSA transmitting the results to state driver’s licensing agencies to post to the driver’s motor vehicle record (MVR).
[Related: How to stay compliant amid confusion around FMCSA's electronic med cert rule]
As of Jan. 7, eight states have still not implemented the system that went into effect June 23, 2025 -- Alaska, California, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Oklahoma. Progress in four other states has brought the number down over the last six months.
Drivers in those eight states are still required to submit a copy of their medical examiner’s certificate to their state's driver licensing agency. Additionally, regardless of where the medical exam is performed, drivers in those states must also ensure the examiner provides them an original/paper certificate. Drivers can use this information page from FMCSA to ensure their examiner provides them a paper certificate.
The new extended waiver covers interstate CDL holders, CLP holders, and motor carriers from Jan. 11 through April 10, with the following conditions:
- The waiver does not apply to a driver if the driver does not have a copy of his or her current, valid MEC on his or her person that was issued by a certified medical examiner within the prior 60 days.
- It does not apply to a motor carrier if the motor carrier does not have a copy of the driver’s current, valid MEC that was issued by a certified medical examiner within the prior 60 days.
[Related: CVSA asks for FMCSA guidance on paper medical card waiver]
Road closed ahead: I-5 lane closures planned
The Oregon Department of Transportation is continuing work on the Battle Creek Road Bridge as part of its I-5 widening project in south Salem, and the work will require nighttime lane closures and three nights of full I-5 closures with signed detours.
On the night of Thursday, Jan. 8, ODOT is bringing in large cranes to set the beams that support the bridge's driving surface. This will require the right lane of both northbound and southbound I-5 to be closed near milemarker 250 at Battle Creek Road. Lane closures will begin at 9 p.m. and reopen at 5 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Only one lane will be open in each direction.
Once the large cranes and other equipment are in place, ODOT will start setting the bridge beams. This will require full I-5 closures for three nights, Jan. 12-14. On these nights, I-5 will be closed in both directions between Exits 248 and 252 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. All I-5 traffic will detour onto Commercial Street SE and Kuebler Boulevard.
OOIDA accepting scholarship applications for college-bound students
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is encouraging members to remind near-college-age children, grandchildren and legal dependents to apply for the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship Fund.
Established in 1998, the scholarship fund supports the educational goals of OOIDA members’ families. Eligible applicants must be at least a high school senior and no older than 22. Each year, five scholarships are awarded -- one $2,000 scholarship and four $1,000 scholarships.
Children, grandchildren, and legal dependents of OOIDA members planning to attend a college or trade school are encouraged to apply. Truck drivers who are not currently OOIDA members but have children or grandchildren in need of scholarship assistance are also encouraged to consider joining the Association.
Each applicant must submit a completed application, including a 500-word essay addressing the following questions:
- What are three positive aspects of the influence of the trucker in your life?
- How does your choice of an educational goal utilize the strongest attributes of your personality?
- What changes do you see on the road, in five or 10 years, that would improve the trucking industry?
Applications must also include a high school or college transcript, proof of enrollment from an institution of higher education prior to receiving the award, and a photo of the applicant.
All application materials are reviewed by the OOIDA Scholarship Committee, which is appointed by the OOIDA Board of Directors. The committee conducts a blind evaluation of essays and supporting documents before selecting scholarship recipients.
OOIDA encourages students to apply early and not wait until the deadline. Scholarship applications must be postmarked no later than Feb. 1.
Required application and cover letter forms are available for download on the OOIDA website. Scholarship recipients will be notified by letter following the Association’s Spring Board Meeting. OOIDA will verify enrollment and deposit scholarship funds directly into the student’s account at the institution they attend. Funds are typically available during the first week of August. Each scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years, contingent upon completion of an annual renewal form.
For more information about the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship Program, contact Charles Sperry at [email protected].
