State Driver's License Agencies' Operating Status
As COVID surges continue to affect government operations differently across various states, here is a great resource from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, which tracks the operating status of state driver's license agencies across all 50 states:
CDL, CLP and Medical Certificate Waivers
On December 17, FMCSA announced another extension of the CDL/CLP/Medical Certificates waiver that was set to expire on December 31, 2020. FMCSA cited the extension as necessary due to the potential backlogs that exist at some State Driver’s License Agencies across the country. In addition, the agency noted a resurgence of stay-at-home orders and other emergency measures that may cause further economic and logistical disruptions.
This waiver became effective on January 1, 2021 and expires on February 28, 2021. Please read the specific provisions below, as the dates and applicability vary. Note that SDLAs have the authority to exercise discretion in extending these dates, consistent with the outline below. Carriers and drivers should check with the SDLA to confirm their states' expiration periods and should review this waiver in full to ensure all terms, conditions and restrictions are met.
For CDL/CLP Drivers, the waiver will:
- Waive until February 28, 2021, the maximum period of CDL validity for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020;
- Waive until February 28, 2021, the maximum period of CLP validity for CLPs that are due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020, without requiring the CLP holders to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests; and
- Waive until February 28, 2021, the requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test.
Medical Requirements for CDL/CLP and non-CDL drivers:
This notice will waive, until February 28, 2021, the requirement that CDL holders, CLP holders and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certificate and any required medical variance that was issued for a period of 90 days or longer and that expired on or after September 1, 2020.
This notice will also waive the requirement that, in order to maintain the medical certification status of “certified,” CDL or CLP holders provide the SDLA with an original or copy of a subsequently issued medical examiner’s certificate and any required medical variance, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after September 1, 2020.
For State Driver License Agencies:
This notice waives, until February 28, 2021, the requirement that the SDLA change the CDL or CLP holder’s medical certification status to “not certified” upon the expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after September 1, 2020.
Additionally, the notice waives certain requirements with regards to SDLAs downgrading a driver's CDL or CLP upon expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided the SDLAs have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after September 1, 2020.