FMCSA Extends CDL/CLP/Medical Certificates Waiver

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended its CDL Waiver with conditions and restrictions. The waiver will become effective on January 1, 2021 and expires on February 28, 2021. State Driver’s License Agencies (SDLA) can exert discretion on extending these dates. Motor carriers and drivers need to check with their SDLA to verify expiration dates.

Commercial Driver License (CDL)/Commercial Learner Permit (CLP):

• CDLs expired on or after March 1, 2020 will remain valid until February 28, 2021;
• CLPs expired on or after March 1, 2020 will remain valid until February 28, 2021, without requiring CLP holders to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests;
• The requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL test;

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

• Requirements for proof of valid medical certification and any required variance that were issued for a period of 90 days or longer, that expired on or after September 1, 2020, will be waived until February 28, 2021.
• Requirements to keep a medical certification status of “certified” have been waived for any valid certifications that expired on or after September 1, 2020, will be waived until February 28, 2021.

SDLA:

• Requirements for SDLA change a CDL or CLP holder’s medical certification status to “not certified” upon expiration of a medical certificate or medical variance, that expired on or after September 1, 2020, has been waived until February 28, 2021.

Lee Trans will continue to post updates as more information is released.