The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a waiver on October 9, 2025, extending the deadline for full implementation of the National Registry II electronic medical certification system to January 10, 2026.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its temporary waiver allowing commercial drivers and motor carriers to use paper medical examiner certificates for up to 60 days after issuance, up from the previous 15-day allowance, as state licensing agencies continue transitioning to electronic medical certification systems. The modified waiver addresses ongoing implementation challenges with the National Registry II electronic transmission requirements that took effect June 23, with only 38 states and the District of Columbia currently compliant while 12 states including California, Florida, and New York have yet to implement the new system.
Starting June 2025, the FMCSA will enforce long-delayed rules on driver medical certification and English proficiency, with direct implications for fleets, intrastate drivers and licensing agencies. From MVR downgrades to out-of-service roadside inspection orders, these rules shift from paper compliance to real-world enforcement. Fleets that fail to adapt may face costly violations or sidelined equipment.
With 1 in 3 drivers only medically qualified for short-term certification, and FMCSA policy updates arriving next month, fleets must treat driver fitness like the operational risk it is. A house in New Jersey hit by a truck might have been spared. The next one might not.
FMCSA’s Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration rule aims to streamline medical certification by digitizing the process, but delays have pushed full implementation to June 23, 2025. Until then, CDL and CLP holders must continue submitting paper copies of their Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) to state licensing agencies, and motor carriers must verify compliance manually.
Failure to maintain a valid MEC can result in a CDL downgrade, putting drivers’ jobs at risk and exposing fleets to compliance violations. Staying informed and following FMCSA updates is crucial to ensuring a smooth transition when the new system goes live.
FMCSA needs more time to integrate the electronic transfer of driver medical certificates to and from state motor carrier agencies.
FMCSA agrees to take action after OIG warns of weaknesses in its medical examiner registry.
FMCSA wants to replace the current vision program by giving medical examiners the ability qualify drivers.
Drivers with expired licenses given relief until September 30
In these trying times, regulatory compliance can’t be an afterthought. Failure to follow the rules – and the number of exemptions currently being issued makes that even more challenging – jeopardizes the fleet’s viability.
Pilots can fly aircraft with expired medical certificates for three extra months because the FAA doesn’t want to burden healthcare workers or increase chances for spreading the coronavirus.
DMV closures causing loss of estimated 25,000 to 45,000 new drivers per month
Waiver is valid for CDL and CLP holders through June 30.
COVID-19 priorities may require “non-emergency” waiver for drivers and carriers.
Company cites “staggering costs” after 2016 request went unanswered.
Fraudulent medical certifications that can put carriers and drivers at risk of more accidents.are under scrutiny.
