NEENAH, Wis., – The DOT requires motor carriers to verify that the medical examiners performing physical exams on their drivers are officially qualified to do so. The final rule mandates that carriers comply with these new requirements in 49 CFR 391.23 and 391.51, beginning on May 21, 2014.
Motor carriers are not required to conduct the verification process themselves, however. They may outsource it, thereby avoiding the time commitment and inherent risk of error associated with this compliance responsibility.
Those interested in outsourcing the process can turn to the National Registry Verification Service — developed by J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., the nation’s leading provider of safety and compliance products and services for the transportation industry. This service is available to new and existing clients of J. J. Keller’s driver qualification management services.
For subscribers to the new National Registry Verification Service, J. J. Keller’s team manages the entire verification process, which begins when they receive a driver’s medical card from the carrier. The team first confirms that the medical examiner who performed the driver’s physical exam has been certified to examine drivers operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, and is included in DOT’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
J. J. Keller’s team then verifies that the driver’s driver qualification file contains the medical examiner’s correct registry number, and that the same number appears on the driver’s medical card and is valid on the exam date. If any of the medical examiner’s information is inaccurate, the team will contact the motor carrier so corrective action can be taken.
Kari DuBois, Director of Managed Services-Major Accounts at J. J. Keller, stressed the benefits for motor carriers: “In an effort to reduce administrative burden and recordkeeping requirements imposed on carriers, J. J. Keller’s new service — in combination with the management of driver qualification files — greatly increases overall compliance and assists with meeting regulatory requirements.”
Motor carriers can learn more about the National Registry Verification Service — available as part of J. J. Keller’s Driver Qualification and DQ Platinum services — online at JJKellerservices.com or by calling 888-473-4638.
About J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Since its beginning as a one-man consulting firm in 1953, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. has grown to become the most respected name in safety and regulatory compliance. Now over 1,300 associates strong, J. J. Keller serves over 420,000 customers — including over 90% of the Fortune 1000. The company’s subject-matter expertise spans nearly 1,500 topics and its diverse solutions include E-Logs and mobile technology; training via online courses, streaming video or DVD; online management tools; managed services; consulting services; publications; forms and supplies.
Transportation professionals rely on J. J. Keller in-house expertise and wide selection of products and services to reduce risk and improve regulatory compliance, performance management and operational efficiency. For more information, visit JJKeller.com, JJKellerELogs.com and JJKellerservices.com.
For more information, contact:
Mary Borsecnik
Corporate Marketing Communications Specialist
J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
1-800-843-3174, ext. 7050
Email: mborsecnik@jjkeller.com
