Commercial Drivers Required to Certify by January 2014

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Some Minnesota commercial licensed drivers, including school bus, semi-tractor trailer and garbage truck drivers could lose their commercial driving privileges by the end of January if they don’t take action to comply with federal and state regulations.

Approximately 115,000 (46 percent) of Minnesota’s 250,000 Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders have not provided self-certification of their commercial driving status and,  in some cases, proper medical documentation. 

Non-exempt interstate and intrastate drivers must provide a current medical examiner’s certification along with any waivers required to maintain commercial driver status. Exempt interstate and intrastate drivers do not need to provide a medical examiner’s certificate but do need to complete a self-certification form. The deadline to provide all documentation is Jan. 30, 2014.

Commercial driver heart attacks or other physical impairments lead to 3,000 crashes nationally each year and many result in fatalities or serious injuries, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates.

CDL holders not in compliance on Jan. 30, 2014, will be downgraded to a Class D license, leaving most drivers unable to legally engage in inter- or intrastate commercial driving.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division (DVS) is in the process of sending letters to all CDL holders in Minnesota reminding them to complete their self-certification.

How to Self-Certify

CDL holders need to:

·        Check the status of the driver’s license online at http://bit.ly/d3r8zL. If “Self-cert” is not listed, then a Self-Certification form must be submitted.

·        Complete the Commercial Driver License Medical Self-Certification Form (PS33203)

·        If a CDL driver certifies that they are subject to medical examination requirements, they must provide a copy of their Medical Examination Report (PS30158) and any required waiver (Insulin-treated diabetes, vision, seizure/loss of consciousness, limb impairment).

·        Submit a completed self-certification form and, if applicable, a current medical examiner’s certificate, to DVS via mail, fax or in person to any driver exam station or driver license office.

These forms can be found on the DVS Website at dvs.dps.mn.gov.

Visit the DVS Website at dvs.dps.mn.gov for more information on how to self-certify, for definitions of interstate and intrastate commerce, along with information about medical certification requirements. CDL drivers can also call (651) 205-4908.

Categories and medical examiner’s certificate requirements are determined by the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) and state statute.

About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.

About Driver and Vehicle Services
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DVS) is responsible for driver testing, driver licensing and maintenance of driver records; driver evaluation and compliance; motor vehicle title and registration; commercial vehicle registration; motor vehicle dealer licensing and regulation; and enforcement of no-fault insurance requirements.

DVS has initiated the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS) project to design, build and implement a new information technology (IT) system. MNLARS will replace the 30-year old mainframe, which houses DVS motor vehicle and driver licensing information, with a more secure modern, responsive and reliable system.

Driver and Vehicle Services Highlights

·        Annually, DVS conducts more than 500,000 written and road tests, and issues about 3.8 million licenses. It also registers 4.3 million vehicles and issues about 1.3 million titles.

·        The DVS Public Information Center handles about 1.2 million calls each year.

·        Web-based services include driver’s license status check, registration renewal (tabs) and test scheduling.