In February, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended its COVID-19 waivers through May 31, allowing states to extend truck driver’s commercial driver's licenses (CDL), commercial learner’s permits (CLP) as well as medical certifications. FMCSA has again extended this waiver through the end of August.
According to FMCSA, limited operations and backlogs have made drivers unable to obtain appointments for physical examinations with medical examiners to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
Because of the continuing national emergency due to COVID-19, FMCSA remarked in its updated notice that “ensuring drivers are available to operate CMVs during the national emergency is critical to continued operation of the transportation and energy supply networks and the safety and economic stability of our nation.”
Effective June 1, this waiver extension applies to all CLP holders, CDL holders, and non-CDL drivers whose licenses were issued for less than the maximum period, and for whose licenses were valid on Feb. 29, 2020 and expired on or after March 1, 2020.
