New CDL requirements for 2014 ?

TWL

Member
Would anyone know exactly what they are changing. I have been told by my Doctor that starting in 2014 you will lose your CDL's if you are on any type of blood pressure medication or any heart medication. So far it is hear say but when the Doc says it , I'm getting concerned. Thank you for any advice
 
I've heard that a CDL will not be issued or renewed without proof of a medical card, even if you do not drive for hire or commercially. If that is true, I guess I will be illegal.
 
Its true here in NY, I don't drive much anymore, but keep the CDL A up to date, last renewed in '09 and had to drive with it expired, did not realize this then and they would not renew it without presenting a current medical card, well at least it was 1 days worth of driving expired to help my friend when he was sick, til the doctor could see me for the d.o.t. physical, passed that easily. Just had another physical this winter, missed 1 letter on the eye exam, I blame it on poor lighting!
 
Just had to renew class A in April. Only thing different from the last time was a up to date physical needed for the license to be isued. They did put some kind of federal seal or stamp on mine that required some more things, but that was optional.
 
I got a letter that just said I had to declare what kind of driving I was doing,interstate,intra state,etc on a form they sent,plus presenting a current medical card by January 1 2014.
 
Will be testing for my CDL A on tuesday and the new rules that we were taught to if you have high blood pressure and it is controlled by meds you are good to go. Reason I know is I am on the meds.

HOS changes are a pretty big change as 1 July.

Leonard
 
I just renewed mine a couple of days ago. They told me as long as I stayed in state I didn't need a health card. Anything out of state I would need one. As far as the health restrictions I can't say.
 
I was under the impression that and CDL had to have a medical card up to date. Here in Tennessee before they will renew you cdl you have to present a current medical card. I take 4 kinds of blood pressure medicine and am 70 years old but passed the physical exam the other day. Just renewed my license for 6 years but will require a new medical card each year.
 
don't forget having to belong to a drug testing group. if you let your med card expire or quit the drug testing; your complete license is supposedly no good.
 
They said they were pulling mine because I was retired and not driving any more. If you were, you would have to submit the medical info also to keep it.

That's the bad news. The good news is that I needed to go to the Texas Dept of Pub. Safety office to get a Class A CDL renewed. The regular operators permit can be renewed online with a good driving record which I have. Since the local office usually has a line running around the block, that's not that bad of an idea. Mine renews this year on my birthday for 6 years and costs about $50 as I recall. Ok fine.

Mark
 
The last I knew, if you worked for a government agency, you did not need a medical card, at least I didn't. The drug testing was random pick by computer. Sometimes guys numbers would't get picked for 2 years.
When I left government employment, I went and got my medical card.

The rules are ever changing.
 
That is wrong or at least I have not heard anything about it.

What is not changing? The driver physical qualification requirements are not changing.


What is changing............
Right now you carry your medical card in the truck with you. Starting Jan/2014 that will no longer be needed.
For all non-exempt drivers they are putting your medical card into a data base that a cop can pull up just from your license number. If you renewed/got your CDL from Feb/2012 to Jan/2014 you are in the data base. If not (*****AND HERE IS THE IMPORTANT PART*****) you need to take your medical card to your state DMV office so they can put you in the data base. Anyone not in the data base by Jan 30,2014 will loose their CDL because it will be revoked.
Then every time you get a new medical card you have to go to the DMV and give them a copy.

This is a copy and paste quote from the notes to the doctor on what will pass and what will not pass.
§ 391.43
Blood pressure (BP). If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently.

Does not say anything about you can not pass your medical exam. Just you need to be recertified more frequently; usually once every year instead of once every 2 years.

I feel this new law is going to catch a lot of non-exempt drivers with their pants down when their CDL privileges have been removed from their license.
If you need more info ask away. I will try to help you.

OH.... By the way some of you guys got it easy. I just went and got my finger prints taken and am now waiting for my federal background check to come in so I can go get my CDL renewed. Another $87 down the drain. At least my company gives it back after a set time frame.
New Medical Certification Requirements
 
What about those of us with commercial vehicles over 10,000 gross that have to have health cards but not a CDL? Mine is due to be renewed this year and I've yet to get anything from anybody telling me anything new in regard to coming changes.
 



Wayne;
I looked around a bit and found this.
a118671.jpg
 
Rusty;
It really depends on what you drive and where you drive.
You can still get a CDL with out getting a medical card if you can fall into the excepted status.
The problem is you need to let your state know you are excepted by Jan/2014 are they will revoke your CDL because they are going to assume you are non-excepted.
 
(quoted from post at 08:51:38 06/14/13) Its true here in NY, I don't drive much anymore, but keep the CDL A up to date, last renewed in '09 and had to drive with it expired, did not realize this then and they would not renew it without presenting a current medical card...

Billy, that's because the NYS Legislature adopted the FMCSR regs outright. Fed requirements now became State requirements. Real dumb, and lazy, move on the NYS Legislatures part.
 
at a company meeting, state patrol,[port of entry] were asked to come in and inform us about a few items, one was the cdl; med card, they said to be safe, so your licence doesn't get suppended from driving, at time of renewal,, take your med card into dmv, to double check it gets into data base..
 
I have plans on going for mine in NJ within this year. I was born with a whole in my heart and had it repaired but one valve still has a minor leak. Does anyone know if that would out rule me? I sure hope not.
hwstem
 

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