Proving you’re physically able to drive a commercial motor vehicle has long been a U.S. requirement – but beginning June 23, 2025, the process will be easier, thanks to changes in the DOT’s medical certification process.
What’s changing
Beginning on June 23, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will electronically transmit DOT medical exam results directly to state driver licensing agencies (SDLA). You will no longer have to manually submit your medical certificates to the state agencies.
This streamlined process will reduce administrative burdens, enhance security and minimize the chance of human error.
What do I need to do?
Technically, there’s nothing for you to do – the change will happen automatically. However, to be sure you’re in good standing, we recommend the following:
- Ensure medical certifications are up-to-date and valid – if your certification expires or becomes invalid, states will automatically downgrade CDLs within 60 days of notifying you
- Continue carrying a physical copy of your medical examination record (MEC) for backup purposes.
Go deeper
Here’s a closer look at how the new system will work and its main features:
- No more manual submissions: Drivers will no longer need to physically submit their MEC to their SDLA. Certified Medical Examiners will now transmit exam results directly to the FMCSA by midnight of the next calendar day. From there, the FMCSA will send the results electronically to SDLAs.
- Integration with motor vehicle records: Once SDLAs receive the medical certification information, it will be directly integrated into the driver’s Motor Vehicle Record. This ensures that certifications are up-to-date and easily accessible if needed for verification.
- Streamlined verification for motor carriers: With this update, motor carriers can more safely rely on state and FMCSA systems, reducing risk and enhancing accuracy.
- Automatic downgrade for noncompliance: States will automatically downgrade CDLs within 60 days of notifying the driver if their medical certification expires or becomes invalid. This emphasizes the importance of always maintaining a valid and up-to-date MEC.
Benefits of the rule changes
These updates bring a range of benefits for drivers including:
- Time savings: Manual submissions and verifications will no longer consume valuable time.
- Improved accuracy: Automated electronic transmissions reduce the potential for errors in medical certification records.
- Greater security: Sensitive medical data will now move through a more secure and controlled process.
- Simplified compliance: Both drivers and carriers benefit from clearer, streamlined processes to meet FMCSA requirements.
Additional resources
To learn more, read the FMCSA’s fact sheet on the change.
