The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s impending deadline of Jan. 30, 2015 for implementing a new electronic medical file for commercial drivers must be pushed back, according to Charles Horan, director of driver and vehicle safety standards. On Wednesday, Horan told NASDPTS members that the compliance date would be delayed because a technology bridge is not in place to support this switchover.
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An FMCSA spokesman told STN that a Federal Register notice will be forthcoming to provide complete information.
Since Jan. 30 of last year, drivers are required to report their operating status and provide medical examiner’s certificates when renewing their commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition, they must retain paper copies of their certificates when operating a commercial motor vehicle. The amended rule applies to holders of either a CDL or commercial learner’s permit (CLP). Drivers who do not adhere to this requirement are subject to losing their CDL privileges.
“This action is being taken to ensure that the medical qualification of CDL and CLP holders are documented adequately until all State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) are able to post the drivers’ self-certification whether the physical qualifications standards are applicable to them and the medical examiner’s certificate information, on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) driver record,” the rule states.
Commercial drivers were required to certify their status (e.g., interstate or intrastate, exempt or non-exempt) with their state driver license agency by this past Jan. 30 and to provide the agency with a copy of any new medical certificate received after Jan. 30, 2012.
As of late June, more than 8,000 additional health professionals had been added to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) since the new system for USDOT medical examinations launched with 22,000 providers in May.
Meanwhile, EPA was also represented at the NASDPTS Annual Meeting. Jennifer Keller, program manager and supervisor for the National Clean Diesel Campaign, said phase II of the federal greenhouse gases regulations are under development. She said the focus for medium-duty commercial vehicles including school buses will be continued enhancements of low rolling resitance tires and additional engine efficiencies. She said nothing is expected in terms of vehicle aerodynamics. Research outlining more details is expected in December.
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