Big news from the FMCSA this month! On July 14, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a temporary waiver that affects how CDL and CLP holders can show proof of their medical certification.
If you’re a commercial driver, medical examiner, or motor carrier, here’s what you need to know:
📄 What’s the Waiver About?
The FMCSA is temporarily allowing drivers to use paper copies of their Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MECs) as valid proof of medical certification—even during the transition to the new electronic system.
Specifically:
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Paper MECs are valid for up to 15 days after the date they’re issued.
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This applies to CDL and CLP holders, and the motor carriers that employ them.
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The waiver is effective immediately and runs through October 12, 2025.
🧠Why the Change?
This move supports a smoother rollout of the NRCME II (Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration) final rule, which requires secure electronic transmission of medical certification data from certified medical examiners to State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs).
Basically, FMCSA wants to:
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Give medical examiners and state agencies more time to fully transition.
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Avoid disruptions for drivers who need to stay certified and on the road.
👨‍⚕️ What Should Medical Examiners Do?
FMCSA is encouraging medical examiners to do two key things during this waiver period:
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Submit exam results electronically through the NRCME system (as usual).
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Still print and hand out a paper certificate for the driver to carry—just in case electronic transmission hits a snag.
💡 Good to know: There’s no change in the workflow if you’re using FormFox. Just continue submitting as normal and print a copy of the certificate for the driver at the end of the exam.
đź“Ś Key Dates to Remember
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Waiver Starts | July 14, 2025 |
| Waiver Ends | October 12, 2025 |
| Paper MEC Validity | 15 days after issuance |
đź“š Extra Resources
If you want to dig deeper, check these out:
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đź”— FMCSA Issues Temporary Waiver to Support NRII Transition
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đź“„ FINAL NRII Waiver 7-14-2025 (PDF)
🚦Bottom Line
If you’re a commercial driver—don’t worry if your certification isn’t electronically processed right away. Carry your paper copy, and you’re good for 15 days. Clinics and medical examiners, just keep doing what you do—submit electronically, and hand drivers their paper cert.
DOT Check Point Clinic will stay on top of all FMCSA updates, so you stay road-ready and regulation-compliant.
