On 6/17/2015 a bulletin was sent from the FMCSA to medical examiners answering questions about CMV driver exam submission. Questions regarding the intrastate only box and 49 CFR 391.64 are also answered. Please note that these questions are answered as they pertain to the current Medical Examiner Report Form (MER) and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), and not the new forms.
The new forms MER (MCSA-5875) and MEC (MCSA-5876) are not yet published at the FMCSA website. The links provided here are examples of the forms as they currently appear in FMCSA’s Medical Examiner Certificate Integration Final Rule. The date to remember regarding the use of these forms is 12/22/2015, and there will be significant changes made in both the MCSA-5875 and MCSA-5876. For example both MCSA-5875 and MCSA-5876 will have a state and a federal portion. Drivers that do not meet the federal standards but operate only in their state and meet whatever variance there is in that particular state will have the “state” portion only filled out. Drivers that need to meet federal standards will be certified in the usual manner, with some new choices on the MCSA-5875 regarding the new “pending” (45 day pending status) and updated examination for those drivers that return within the 45 days to provide required documentation .
For now medical examiners will continue to use the current MER form and MEC as they currently exist at the FMCSA website. More discussion on this topic as we approach 12/22/2015. For more information on this topic and many other related DOT physical exam topics visit dotmedicalexaminerblog.com.
The following is an excerpt from the actual FMCSA bulletin itself..
1. What Forms Do I Use for the DOT Driver Exams?
Certified Medical Examiners (MEs) must continue to use the Medical Examination Report and Medical Examiner’s Certificate as found on the FMCSA website at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/medical-applications-and-forms until December 22, 2015.
On April 23, FMCSA published a final rule, Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration, which will require MEs to use the new Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875 and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) Form, MCSA-5876 beginning December 22, 2015. FMCSA will publish the new forms on the FMCSA website soon.
2. How do I determine “Intrastate Only” on the Medical Examiner’s Certificate?
You mark “Intrastate Only” as “No” when a driver operates or intends to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, even if the driver operates a vehicle that weighs less than 26,001 pounds and does not require a commercial driver’s license.
A driver operates in interstate commerce if he or she:
(1) Drives across a State line; or
(2) Carries freight that is originating or terminating outside the State.
3. What is the Maximum Certification Period for a Federally Grandfathered Driver?
For a driver who is grandfathered under 49 CFR 391.64, the maximum certification period is one year.
These drivers participated in a Vision Waiver Study Program or a Diabetes Waiver Study Program in the early 1990s. In 1996, FMCSA grandfathered these drivers and sent them a letter. They may continue to drive if they meet the requirements in 49 CFR 391.64, including having an annual DOT medical examination for certification.
References:
1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
2. CDME (Commercial Driver Medical Examiner). American College of occupational and Environmental Medicine.
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