FMCSA Announces Extension of CDL/CLP/Med Card Waivers

ATA

FMCSA has announced an extension of the CDL/CLP waiver that was set to expire on September 30th. This new waiver becomes effective on October 1, 2020 and expires on December 31, 2020**.

**NOTE: This waiver is a bit nuanced, so please read the specific provisions below, as the dates and applicability vary.

For CDL/CLP Drivers, the waiver will:

  • Extend until December 31, 2020, the maximum period of CDL validity for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020;
  • Extend until December 31, 2020, the maximum period of CLP validity for CLPs that are due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020, without requiring the CLP holders to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests;
  • Waive until December 31, 2020, the requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test;

Medical Requirements for CDL/CLP and non-CDL drivers:

  • This notice will waive, in accordance with the following periods of eligibility, the requirement that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance that were issued for a period of 90 days or longer:
    • For CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers whose medical certification was valid on February 29, 2020 and expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1, 2020, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 (persons who must be medically examined and certified) is waived until October 31, 2020.
    • For CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers whose medical certification expired on or after June 1, 2020, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 is waived until December 31, 2020;
  • This notice will also waive, in accordance with the following periods of eligibility, the requirement that, in order to maintain the medical certification status of “certified,” CDL or CLP holders provide the SDLA with an original or copy of a subsequently issued medical examiner’s certificate and any required medical variance:
    • For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1, 2020, the requirement is waived until October 31, 2020.
    • For CDL or CLP holders who have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after June 1, 2020, the requirement is waived until December 31, 2020.

The full waiver notice can be found here. Carriers and drivers should review this waiver to ensure all terms, conditions, and restrictions are met.

Additionally, FMCSA also announced the extension of waivers related to CLP holders operating with a CDL driver in the front seat, out of state CDL Applicant testing, and third-party knowledge testing.