FMCSA Grants Extension of Medical
Certificate Expiration Waiver

Waiver Extension to September 30, 2020
"To respond to this unique event and to continue the ability of intrastate and interstate CDL and CLP holders and interstate non-CDL drivers to transport goods in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, this waiver:

  • Extends until September 30, 2020, the maximum period of CDL validity for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020.

  • Extends until September 30, 2020, 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.

  • Waives the requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test.

  • Waives 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 certification and any required medical variance that were issued for a period of 90 days or longer and that expired on or after March 1, 2020. 

  • Waives the requirement that, in order to maintain the medical certification status of “certified,” CDL or CLP holders provide the State Driver Licensing Agency 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 March 1, 2020.

  • Waives the requirement that the State Driver Licensing Agency 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 the CDL or CLP holders have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020.

  • Waives the requirements that the State Driver Licensing Agency initiate a CDL or CLP downgrade upon the expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided that the CDL or CLP holders have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after March 1, 2020.
FMCSA continues to recognize the validity of commercial driver’s licenses issued by Canadian Provinces and Territories and Licencias Federales de Conductor issued by the United Mexican States, when such jurisdictions issue a similar notice or declaration extending the validity date of the medical examination and certification and/or validity of the corresponding commercial driver’s license due to interruption to government service resulting from COVID-19.
To Whom Does This Waiver NOT Apply?
(1) This waiver does not apply to a CDL or CLP holder if the driver’s privileges have been suspended or withdrawn for traffic offenses.

(2) This waiver does not apply to a CDL or CLP holder if the driver’s license or permit expired before March 1, 2020.

(3) Drivers who cannot produce evidence of a prior medical certification that expired on or after March 1, 2020, are not covered under this waiver, including new drivers who have never obtained a medical certification.

(4) Drivers who have been diagnosed with a medical condition that would disqualify them from operating in interstate commerce, or drivers who have developed a condition that requires an exemption or Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) from FMCSA are not covered under this waiver.

(5) This waiver does not apply to medical examiner’s certificates originally issued for less than 90 days.
Nationwide Network of DOT Medical Examiners
509 SW Frazer Ave.
Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone: (541) 276-6032
Fax: (541) 276-7062

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 8am to 5pm
Friday 8am to 12pm