The US Department of Transportation has instituted new Self Certification Requirements for commercial drivers. As of January 30, 2012, and no later than January 30, 2014, all CDL holders are required to choose one of 4 categories of Self-Certification. In addition, drivers operating in certain types of commerce are required to submit a current medical examiner's certificate to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). DMV will add your medical certification status to your record in the commercial driver's license system (CDLIS). Failure to provide and keep a medical examiner's certificate up-to-date will result in an automatic downgrade to a regular operator's license. In the past, employers kept the records and drivers kept the card in their possession.
All CDL holders must determine what type of commerce they operate in from one of four categories listed below:
- Interstate non-excepted: You are an Interstate, non-excepted driver and must meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements (e.g. – you are "not excepted").
- Interstate excepted: You are an Interstate excepted driver and do not have to meet the Federal DOT medical Card requirements.
- Intrastate non-excepted: You are an Intrastate non-excepted driver and are required to meet the medical requirements for your State.
- Intrastate excepted: You are an Intrastate excepted driver and do not have to meet the medical requirements for your State.
Most CDL holders who drive in interstate commerce are non-excepted drivers. Excepted interstate commerce drivers include federal, state or local government employees who drive a commercial motor vehicle, or fire truck or rescue vehicles during emergencies and other related activities.
If you operate in both excepted interstate commerce and non-excepted interstate commerce, you must choose non-excepted interstate commerce to be qualified to operate in both types of interstate commerce. If you operate in both excepted intrastate commerce and non-excepted intrastate commerce, you must choose non-excepted intrastate commerce.
If you are subject to the new DOT medical card requirements, you must provide a new DOT medical card to DMV in Cranston prior to the expiration of your current DOT medical card. The document is scanned and returned immediately. If you cannot appear at the DMV in person, another individual is allowed to do it for you – as long as they bring a copy of your license, your self-certification form and your original medical card. This is done in larger trucking companies where office staffers bring the required documentation for their drivers who are on the road.