How to authorize CDL self certification?

Certification: CDL - Commercial Drivers License

On 30^th January 2014, it was made mandatory that all the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders and applicants applying for a Commercial Learner’s Permit had to self-certify at Driver’s Licensing Office.

In order to self-certify it is first necessary for the holder of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to determine:

>Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) in INTERSTATE:

If YES:

Operating the vehicles for:

Government employee per 49 CFR part 390.3(f)
School bus per 49 CFR part 390.3(f)
Personal property per 49 CFR part 390.3(f)
Transporting corpses or the sick per 49 CFR part 390.3(f)
Fire truck or rescue vehicle per 49 CFR part 390.3(f)
Propane/winter heating fuel in an emergency per 49 CFR part 390.3(f)
Custom farm vehicles per 49 CFR part 391.2
Beekeeper per 49 CFR part 391.2
“Covered farm vehicle” as defined in 49 CFR 390.5
Private transport of passengers for nonbusiness per 49 CFR part 391.68
Transporting Migrant workers per 49 CFR part 398.3
Transport 9 to 15 passengers, not for direct compensation
per 49 CFR part 390.3(f)

If NO: Non-Excepted Interstate

Self certify as a non-excepted interstate driver.
Medical Examiner’s Certificate Submission to DOT.

If YES: Excepted Interstate

Self certify as an excepted interstate driver.

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) in INTRASTATE:

Operating the vehicles for:

Public utility truck per Iowa Code 321.449
Truck hauling gravel per Iowa Code 321.449*
Private construction truck or equipment per Iowa Code 321.449*
Truck transfer of husbandry implements per Iowa Code 321.449*
Farmer, or hired help, operating a farm vehicle
School district-employed school bus driver
Government driver per adoption of federal rules in 761 IAC 520
Farm and agricultural exemptions per Iowa Code 321.449 and 450
Motor vehicles, which have weighing, rate of 26,000 lbs. or less.
Transport a maximum of 15 passengers (including the driver).

If NO: Non-Excepted Intrastate

Self certify as a non-excepted intrastate driver.
Medical Examiner’s Certificate submission is not mandatory to DOT.

If YES: Excepted Interstate

Self certify as an excepted intrastate driver.

In order to open driving opportunities, it is recommended that the driver must self certify at the highest position. Even if the driver does not think that he/she is capable enough for the category certified one must apply for the same. The widest category of all is the Non-excepted Interstate (NI). Thou one can be confused while applying for interstate or intrastate.

DOT Physical

A periodic physical examination is required by all the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders, the Department of Transport (DOT) has made this mandatory which will be administered by DOT medical examiner. The examiner examines the previous records as well as the current ones to ensure safety. It is beneficial for both the CDL drivers and those on the road to operate the CMV with care. The drivers are issued a medical examiner’s certificate also known as DOT medical card, thus certifying the CDL holder.

Requirements for a CDL holder:

At least 20/40 correctable visions in each eye. The driver can use glasses or contact lenses.
He/she must not be on needle-injected insulin if diabetic.
The blood pressure should be ideal; if it is over 180/110 the driver is disqualified.
Being on narcotic or similar form of drugs will get you disqualified.
Sugar level must not exceed 200.
If you are dealing with any cardiovascular disease, medical certificate is required from your doctor.

Medical Document required for operating Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV):

Excepted if driving for the following:

Beekeeper drivers
All school drivers complying with §390.5
CDL drivers of the municipality, city or the State.
Drivers operating rescue vehicles, fire trucks, vehicles complying in an emergency.
Drivers driving the sick or carrying corpses.
Drivers transporting 9 to 15 people (including the driver)
Drivers complying custom-harvesting vehicles as defined in §391.1.
Drivers driving a farm vehicle except a combination CMV (commercial motor vehicle).
Drivers transport the migrating workers.
Driving plying private motors, non-commercial

Non-Excepted if driving for any other reason other than notified above. However updated United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Medical Examiners Certificate must be kept with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Driving Type

Holding a commercial driver license (CDL) of Class A, B or C and DMV issued CDL permit are required to certify driver’s Federal driving type.

Non-Excepted interstate (NI)

Federal medical requirements are to be met while operating commercial motor driving interstate.

You must be at least 21-year old
No type of restriction, whether K (CDL Interstate Only) or A3 (Med Cert Exempt), on your driver’s license.
Can be selected if you have a HAZMAT (H) or HAZMAT/Tank (X) endorsement.

Non-Excepted intrastate (NA)

Federal medical requirements are to be met while operating commercial motor driving except New York.

You must be at least 18-year old
Can be selected if you have a HAZMAT (H) or HAZMAT/Tank (X) endorsement.
No type of restriction, A3 (Med Cert Exempt), on your driver’s license.
Must have a restriction of K (CDL Interstate Only) on driver’s license.

Excepted Interstate (EI)

Federal medical requirements are exempt while operating commercial motor driving interstate.

You must be at least 18-year old
Must have a restriction of A3 (Med Cert Exempt) on driver’s license.
No type of restriction, K (CDL Interstate Only), on your driver’s license.

Excepted Intrastate (EA)

Federal medical requirements are exempt while operating commercial motor driving except New York.

You must be at least 18-year old
Must have restriction, whether K (CDL Interstate Only) or A3 (Med Cert Exempt), on your driver’s license.

HAZMAT (H) or HAZMAT/Tank (X) Endorsement

You must be at least 21-year old and if you have fulfilled all the Federal medical requirements you are eligible for HAZMAT (H) or HAZMAT/Tank (X) Endorsement.

"V" restriction and Medical variances

If any indication has been provided by USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate, that says, “ must be accompanied by a Diabetic, Hearing, Seizure or Vision waiver exemption or an SPE Certificate”, the driver is said to have a Medical Variance.

Note

>The DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) record’s address must be up-to-date.

>Completed and signed Self-Certification Notification letter along with a legible photocopy of USDOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate must be sent if you select NA or NI, your driving type.

> An updated copy of USDOT Medical Examiner’s Certificatemust be mailed to DMV before its expiry.

>The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) records must be up-to-date if you have Medical Variance.

>It is not DMV’s duty to notify expiry date of USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate or Medical Variance.

> If you fail to comply to keep your records up-to-date, you might lose the privilege to commercial driving.