The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has re-issued a temporary waiver allowing interstate CDL holders, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders, and motor carriers to continue relying on a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of a driver’s medical certification. This waiver allows paper certificates to remain valid for up to 60 days after the date of issuance.

The waiver is in effect from October 13, 2025, through January 10, 2026.

This action is intended to support drivers, carriers, and State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) during the ongoing transition to the secure electronic transmission of medical certification data required under the National Registry II (NRII) final rule. FMCSA determined that reissuing the waiver is in the public interest to prevent unnecessary hardship on drivers and employers due to potential processing delays outside of their control.

FMCSA also recommends that certified medical examiners continue issuing paper medical examiner’s certificates (Form MCSA-5876) to drivers, in addition to submitting examination results electronically, until further notice.

The full contents of the re-issued waiver are available on FMCSA’s website.

For more information and resources related to NRII, visit the FMCSA NRII Learning Center:
🔗 FMCSA NRII Learning Center

What This Means for PMTA Members

1. Drivers should continue carrying their paper medical certificate (Form MCSA-5876) with them for up to 60 days after issuance to avoid enforcement issues, especially if electronic data has not yet been fully processed by their SDLA.
2. Carriers should verify that medical certificates are current and ensure copies are maintained in the Driver Qualification (DQ) file until the transition to full electronic records is complete.
3. Medical Examiners are still expected to provide paper certificates to drivers at the time of the exam, in addition to submitting results electronically.
4. Plan ahead for possible delays. Since electronic transmission is still being refined under NRII, carriers should anticipate potential lags in state processing and avoid waiting until the last minute to address expiring medical certifications.

This temporary waiver is a reminder of FMCSA’s recognition of the challenges during the NRII rollout — but it also underscores the importance for fleets and drivers to remain diligent about maintaining medical compliance.

📢 PMTA Call-to-Action

If you have questions about this waiver, driver medical certifications, or compliance requirements, please contact:

Anthony Cloud
PMTA Director of Safety and Education
📧 Acloud@pmta.org | ☎ 717-761-7122

PMTA is here to support our members in navigating regulatory changes and staying ahead of compliance challenges.