A new entrant that commits any of the following actions, identified through roadside inspections or by any other means, may be subjected to an expedited safety audit or a compliance review or may be required to submit a written response demonstrating corrective action:

• Using a driver not possessing a valid commercial driver’s license to operate a commercial vehicle as defined under§ 383.5.
• An invalid commercial driver’s license includes one that is falsified, revoked, expired, or missing a required endorsement
• Operating a vehicle placed out of service for violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations or compatible State laws and regulations without taking necessary corrective action
• Being involved in, through action or omission, a hazardous materials reportable incident, as described under 49 CFR 171.15 or 171.16, involving—
• • A highway route controlled quantity of certain radioactive materials (Class 7)
  • Any quantity of certain explosives (Class 1, Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3)
  • Any quantity of certain poison inhalation hazard materials (Zone A or B)
• Being involved in, through action or omission, two or more hazardous materials reportable incidents as described under 49 CFR 171.15 or 171.16, involving hazardous materials other than those listed above
• Using a driver who tests positive for controlled substances or alcohol or who refuses to submit to required controlled substances or alcohol tests
• Operating a commercial motor vehicle without the levels of financial responsibility required under part 387 of this subchapter
• Having a driver or vehicle out-of-service rate of 50 percent or more based upon at least three inspections occurring within a consecutive 90-day period

Source: 49 CFR 385.308

For more information on the New Entrant Program, click here.

FMCSA recognizes that effective identity proofing and verification is essential for building trust with new and existing customers and for demonstrating our commitment to security. Once a customer submits their information, biometric, and document data is extracted and verified against one another and against an authoritative data source or a trusted system of record.  

FMCSA and its vendor will not store, share/transmit, or sell any customer information. The proofing and verification process is a stand-alone process that only allows FMCSA to verify identity as part of the Agency’s registration process when the customer requests new registration(s). Please note, in future updates, customers will be required to complete an identity verification to make a change to an existing company registration record.  

The truck driver must be medically qualified to not only drive the vehicle safely, but also to do pre and post trip safety inspections, secure the load and make sure it has not shifted. Bus drivers have different demands.

By regulation, Specific Medically Disqualifying Conditions Found Under 49 CFR 391.41 are Hearing Loss, Vision Loss, Epilepsy and Insulin Use.

Drivers who require a Diabetes or Vision exemption to safely drive a CMV in addition to those pre-printed on the certification form are disqualified until they receive such an exemption.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

The physical qualification regulations for CMV drivers in interstate commerce are found at Section 391.41(b) of the FMCSRs. Instructions to Medical Examiners performing physical examinations are found at Section 391.43. Advisory criteria under 391.41 are recommendations. They are accessible on the FMCSA's Web site at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical.

FMCSA has published medical conference reports as recommendations to assist Medical Examiners determine whether a driver is qualified under Section 391.41(b). The conference reports may be accessed on the FMCSA Web site.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

A driver cannot take a controlled substance or prescription medication without a prescription from a licensed practitioner.
If a driver uses a drug identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 (391.42(b)(12)) or any other substance such as amphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit forming drug, The driver is medically unqualified.

There is an exception: the prescribing doctor can write that the driver is safe to be a commercial driver while taking the medication. In this case, the Medical Examiner may, but does not have to certify the driver.

Any anti-seizure medication used for the prevention of seizures is disqualifying.

The Medical Examiner has 2 ways to determine if any medication a driver uses will adversely affect safe operation of a CMV:

1. Review each medication - prescription, non-prescription and supplement
2. Request a letter from the prescribing doctor

Last Updated : September 18, 2017

Starting on January 30, 2012, when you:

• Apply for a CDL
• Renew a CDL
• Apply for a higher class of CDL
• Apply for a new endorsement on a CDL
• Transfer a CDL from another State

You will be required to self-certify to a single type of commercial operation on your driver license application form. Based on that self-certification, you may need to provide your SDLA with a current medical examiner’s certificate and show any variance you may have to obtain or keep your CDL. Source: 76 FR 70661

The administrative review process in section 385.423 still applies.  However, if the denial, suspension, or revocation is based on a proposed safety rating or final safety rating that is less than satisfactory, the carrier may request administrative review if it believes FMCSA has committed an error, as stated in §385.15.  Additionally, a motor carrier may request an administrative review based on the request for an upgrade of a proposed or final safety rating of conditional or unsatisfactory based on submission of corrective action as stated in §385.17.

For other conditions for suspension or revocation listed in section 385.421, HMSP carriers still have the right to administrative review under section 385.423.

Last Updated : July 29, 2015

The current hours-of-service (HOS) exception in § 395.1(k) covers any motor carrier transporting agricultural commodities or farm supplies to an eligible destination. The revision expands the current 100 air-mile radius to 150 air-miles (176.2 statute miles), and makes transportation from wholesalers to retailers eligible for the exception. Eligible transportation includes:

• Farm supplies for agricultural purposes transported from a wholesale or retail distribution point to a farm or other location where the supplies are intended to be used. Exception is limited to a 150 air-mile (176.2 statute miles) radius [formerly 100 air-miles] from the wholesale or retail distribution point
• Farm supplies for agricultural purposes transported from a wholesale distribution point to a retail distribution point within a 150 air-mile radius of the wholesale distribution point

Agricultural commodities transported from the source of the commodities to a location within a 150 air-mile radius of the source.

Last Updated : May 8, 2014

A “covered farm vehicle” (CFV) and its operator are exempt from the following:

• Part 382 (Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing)
• Part 383 (Commercial Driver’s License Standards; Requirements and Penalties)
• Part 391 (Subpart E - Physical Qualifications and Examinations)
• Part 395 (Hours of Service of Drivers)
• Part 396 (Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance)

Last Updated : May 8, 2014

You may send a written statement to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Bus & Truck Standards and Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 381.400

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

If you have paid the mover 110% of the non-binding estimate or 100% of the binding estimate and the mover fails to deliver your goods, they have violated the Federal regulations for the protection of household good shippers. You should file a complaint online or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).

Your best option is to renew them prior to the expiration date. If your certificate does expire, you must have a new medical examination and obtain a new medical certificate. You must then provide the State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) the new medical examiner’s certificate. You are also responsible for applying to FMCSA for a renewal of your variance per CFR§391.51(b)(8)

For a copy of the medical examiner’s certificate, see Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875 located in CFR§391.43(f)

You can find contact information for your state’s driver licensing agency on the USA.gov website.

To search for a medical examiner, click here.

Customers may use their mobile devices, such as their cell phone or tablet, to access the identity verification on their browser. Customers will be able to scan a QR code with a mobile device to open a browser to the website. Please note, customers should use their internet browsers (chrome, safari, etc.), to access the mobile browser.   

Customers will follow the prompts to enter their personal information and to capture a picture of their government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, and permanent resident card (also known as a green card). Customers will also take a photo themselves during the identity verification process. 

The system will then validate the customer’s form of ID and identity of the customer and compare the results compare the results with data in their existing databases. For more information on the identity verification process, please review the instructional walkthrough video. 

• Your name, address and telephone number
• The name, address and telephone number of the mover/broker
• The origin and destination of your shipment
• The mover's U.S. DOT and MC numbers if available
• A short narrative of specific violations alleged

Beginning April 2025, FMCSA will incorporate the identity verification process within the Unified Registration System (URS). New applicants will complete the identity verification process at the end of the application process.  

For more information on the identity verification process, please review the instructional walkthrough video. 

The tests are either the forced whisper test or audiometry. For the whispered voice test, the driver should be 5 feet from the examiner with the ear being tested turned toward the examiner. The other ear is covered. Using the breath which remains after a forced expiration, the examiner whispers words or random numbers such as 66,18.23. The examiner should not use only sibilants (s-sounding test materials). If the individual fails the whisper test, the audiometric test should be administered.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

• Select an electronic navigation system intended for use by truck and bus drivers
• Before drivers begin their trip, they should type in all relevant information about their vehicles so the system can provide the appropriate route
• Follow the route recommended by the navigation system, but ALWAYS obey traffic signs and advisories (such as low bridge overpasses, axle weight limits, detour signs, variable message signs, etc.)
• Do not engage in distracted driving! Avoid typing or entering addresses or information into the navigation system while driving
• If your navigation system does not provide automatic updates of the maps, be sure to obtain updates to ensure you are following the most current route planning information

Last Updated : April 3, 2014

a. Fully utilize the SMS as part of the HMSP monitoring and review process; and

b. Institute an ongoing requirement to conduct comprehensive investigations on HMSP motor carriers with insufficient data to utilize SMS.

Last Updated : July 29, 2015

The final rule (73 FR 76794) added a new type of safety assessment, the roadability review. A roadability review is an on-site examination of an intermodal equipment provider’s (IEP)  inspection, repair, and maintenance operation and records to determine compliance with applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (i.e., 49 CFR parts 390, 393, and 396). The Agency conducts roadability reviews to evaluate the safety and regulatory compliance status of IEPs.

Last Updated : April 3, 2014

Your SDLA will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in non-excepted interstate commerce. The SDLA will then downgrade all your CDL privileges. Click here for more information.