Qualification of Drivers; Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Application for Exemption

FMCSA announces its decision to grant a six-month exemption to allow motor carriers and drivers in all States and the District of Columbia to rely on a paper copy of the medical examiner's certificate (MEC) as proof of the driver's medical certification for up to 60 days after the MEC was issued. FMCSA has analyzed the request from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the public comments and has determined that the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved in the absence of the exemption. The purpose of the exemption is to ensure that drivers with valid medical certification and their employers are not penalized for delays outside of their control as five remaining States implement the Medical Examiner's Certification Integration final rule (NRII). FMCSA does not anticipate granting additional, nationwide NRII waivers or exemptions after the six-month duration of this exemption.