FMCSA announces delay of rule involving driver medical cards

From Transport Topics.

A new federal rule due for implementation in June that would eliminate the need for truck drivers to carry their medical cards has been delayed for three years due to a hack of the registry of certified medical examiners in December.

In an April 26 announcement, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said that the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration final rule, due to go into effect June 22, will not require compliance until June 22, 2021.

The national registry, down for more than four months, is “dependent upon the implementation of information technology infrastructure that will not be available on June 22,” the agency said.

The final integration rule specifically requires FMCSA to electronically transmit from the national registry to state driver licensing agencies the driver identification information, examination results and restriction information from examinations performed for holders of learner permits and commercial driver licenses.

It also requires the agency to transmit electronically to state licensing agencies the medical variance information for all commercial vehicle drivers and post driver identification, examination results and restriction information received electronically from FMCSA.

However, FMCSA said that as the final rule compliance date draws nearer, it has “reluctantly concluded” that it will not be able to electronically transmit medical examiner certification information from the registry to the state licensing agencies, nor will the licensing agencies be able to electronically receive medical certification information from the national registry for posting to their CDL information system driver record.

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