What is self-certification for a commercial driver's license?
Certification: Test Prep CDL - Commercial Drivers License
Registry of motor vehicles (RMV) have been given instructions by the Federal regulations, that by 30th April 2014, all the drivers are required to mention the motor vehicle they wish to ply interstate or intrastate and also confirm if it is mandatory to carry a medical certificate. The driver himself needs to assess his driving skills and accordingly he/she has to notify the RMV of the above requirements, this is termed as “self-certification”.
Any CDL (commercial driver’s license) driver fails to notify the RMV within the stipulated time, he/she could self-certify.
- CDL Self-Certification Form, which needs to be filled, and a copy of medical certificate to be sent by mail to the authority at Boston.
- Visiting the website www.massrmv.com, and applying online, one can self-certify to the RMV.
- Self-certified by Fax to (857) 368-0818
- Self-certification at the branch office of the RMV.
Interstate commerce
Any kind of trade, traffic or transportation in the United States is known as Interstate commerce.
- Between a place outside the state (includes a place outside United States) and a place in a state.
- Between two places in a state through another state or a place outside of the United States
- Between two places in a state as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the state or the United States.
Intrastate commerce
Any kind of trade, traffic or transportation, which does not fall in the definition of interstate commerce, is known as Interstate commerce.
Self-Certification FORM
The CDL drivers are required to self-certify the type of vehicle they wish to operate as per the new Federal regulation; i.e. Excepted Intrastate, Non-excepted Interstate, Excepted Interstate or Non-excepted Intrastate. Medical Examiner’s Certificate is required as per the selection made by the drivers.
Submission of Self-certification Form
Any Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holder, any driver who is applying for the Commercial Learner’s Permit, drivers complying under Non-excepted transport are required to submit a valid copy of Medical Examiner’s Certificate to Department of Transportation (DOT).
4 Categories to Self-Certification
The category selection is purely based on the selection of the driver’s operation whether interstate or intrastate; it also depends if the candidate is compulsorily required to present or hold a medical certificate.
Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
CDL drivers who are self-employed or operate on a private basis whether Class A, Class B or Class C, is required to meet the federal DOT medical standard and complies with interstate commerce. This also includes, exemption grants of diabetes, federal vision grant and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE).
Excepted Interstate (EI)
It is not mandatory for the driver to meet the federal DOT medical card requirements and complies with interstate commerce. They are not required to fulfill every part of the federal medical standard. These include:
- Beekeeper drivers
- All school drivers complying with §390.5
- CDL drivers of the municipality, city or the State.
- Drivers operating rescue vehicles, fire trucks, vehicles complying in an emergency.
- Drivers driving the sick or carrying corpses.
- Drivers transporting 9 to 15 people (including the driver)
- Drivers complying custom-harvesting vehicles as defined in §391.1.
- Drivers driving a farm vehicle except a combination CMV (commercial motor vehicle).
- Drivers transport the migrating workers.
- Driving plying private motors, non-commercial
Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
It is mandatory for the driver to meet the State driver qualification requirements and complies with intrastate commerce.
These include all Class A, B, or C CDL drivers who are self-employed or operate privately.
- 18-21 years: operating with a K Restriction
- 21 years and above: Operating with a W Restriction.
Excepted Intrastate (EA)
It is not compulsory for the driver to meet the federal DOT medical card requirements and complies with intrastate commerce. They are not required to fulfill every part of the federal medical standard. These include:
- Beekeeper drivers
- All school drivers complying with §390.5
- CDL drivers of the municipality, city or the State.
- Drivers operating rescue vehicles, fire trucks, vehicles complying in an emergency.
- Drivers driving the sick or carrying corpses.
- Drivers transporting 9 to 15 people (including the driver)
- Drivers complying custom-harvesting vehicles as defined in §391.1.
- Drivers driving a farm vehicle except a combination CMV (commercial motor vehicle).
- Drivers transport the migrating workers.
- Driving plying private motors, non-commercial
Medical Certificate
• Self-certificate does not allow an expired medical certificate. If a medical certificate is expiring in less than 90 days from the current date, it is not valid or accepted for approval.
• To obtain a medical examiner’s certificate, it is mandatory for the drivers,to go through medical examination by the Us Department of Transportation (DOT).
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) being a part of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act, improvised Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), requiring interstate CDL drivers to provide their medical examiner’s certificate to their respective state driver licensing agency.
This will ensure safety, by keeping updated records of all the CDL drivers.
Non-Compliance with the new Federal regulations
Driver must comply with the regulations, i.e. providing self-certification information and a copy of a medical examiner’s certificate, by 30th April 2014. The CDL status will be downgraded to Class D license if he/she fails to comply.
However, drivers holding Class A, B or C Learner’s Permit cannot be downgraded. Thou, upon expiry of Commercial Driver’s Learner’s Permit or self-certification, it will be deleted.
Re-Certification
The drivers complying with NI and NA category have to re-certify every 2 years, on their expiry of the medical certificate.
All the drivers will be sent a notification from the Registry of Motor Vehicles, for re-certifying. If a driver fails to re-certify before the expiration date, he/she will no longer be authorized to comply a commercial vehicle requiring a CDL.
A grace period of 60 days from the expiration will be allotted, by which time the driver needs to re-certify. Even after the expiry of the grace period the driver fails:
- The Registry will downgrade the driver to Class D license.
- License amendment fee of $25 will be collected and recorded against the driver, in his/her next visit.
Whereas the drivers complying with EI and EA category have to re-certify every 5 years, on their license renewal.
How to restore your downgraded License
If a driver wishes to restore his/her Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 365 days of expiry, must request for restoration to Registry branch office. After fulfilling all the requirements even the requisite fee, CDL will be restored.
If a driver appeals for restoring his/her Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) after 365 days of expiry, must request for restoration to Registry branch office. After retaking and passing the CDL learner’s permit exam and road test, also fulfilling all the requirements, will be newly issued a 5-year license.
