States Adopt Streamlined Medical Certification Rule Early
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Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Missouri are early adopters of a new online process to streamline the handling of Medical Examiner’s Certification for commercial vehicle drivers in advance of a summertime federal compliance deadline.
to launch the new , which aim to streamline medical paperwork by processing online medical information from holders of commercial driver licenses and commercial learner permit holders engaged in interstate commerce from the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The program will electronically integrate Medical Examiner’s Certification information on commercial vehicle drivers to state driver’s licensing agencies.
. Since then, FMCSA has automatically provided the state’s Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles with CDL/CLP holders’ medical information within 48 hours from the time of their DOT physical examinations.
“Wisconsin DMV is pleased to be among the first adopters and add this automated process to our suite of online services for commercial drivers. Our goal is to provide greater customer convenience while we meet federal mandates. The improved timeliness and accuracy of this new electronic process will keep drivers on the road and not waiting in a DMV,” John Holloway, Bureau of Driver Services program and policy analyst, told Transport Topics.
“Submitting the required documentation is no longer a multistep process,” noted state DMV Administrator Tommy Winkler. “Now, after commercial drivers complete their physical, the medical provider will submit the paperwork into the National Registry and FMCSA will automatically transmit it to Wisconsin DMV, which updates DMV’s records.” The process is expected to impact 70% of the 230,000 CLP/CDL drivers regulated by the Wisconsin DMV.
Notably, the program removes from drivers the requirement to present physical medical certification cards to a local DMV.
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“The required information will be available faster. Customers will have fewer visits and contacts with the Wisconsin DMV,” Holloway said. “Errors, including the ‘human data-entry element’ such as mis-keyed/transposed or misread information, and the challenge of reading handwritten information will be reduced. Therefore, information within our database will be more accurate.”
Electronic submissions also can help prevent fraudulent documents and information from being provided to DMV.
“With this restructured process, known as National Registry II, DMV will no longer accept paper, in-person, email, faxed or uploaded information after April 12. CDL drivers are still required to maintain valid medical examination certificates,” Wisconsin DMV announced.
In Missouri, the Department of Revenue . It now requires medical providers to submit documentation directly to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
“The transmission of MEC data back to Missouri’s DOR will be automated for current CDL and CLP holders. This removes the requirement that the driver provide a physical copy of the MEC at the time of application and reduces manual processing,” the state noted.
Among the earliest state adopters of the electronic process was the Rhode Island DMV. It in favor of receiving online submissions from the FMCSA National Registry.
“Once the Medical Certificate has been validated by the National Registry, it will be instantly updated to the driver’s record at the RI DMV and no further action will be needed,” according to the state.
On March 23, the Texas Department of Public Safety via electronic submissions through the National Registry while also still accepting paper medical certificates. As of the June 23 deadline, only electronic submissions will be accepted.
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