As of this week, truck drivers still have backup options when it comes to medical cards. On October 13, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration extended its waiver that lets drivers use a paper copy of their medical examiner’s certificate for up to 60 days after it’s issued. That extension runs through January 10, 2026.
This matters for anyone renewing or updating their medical certification right now. Without the waiver, drivers would have to rely on the new electronic reporting system being used by examiners and state licensing agencies, and that system isn’t fully in place everywhere yet.
Originally, FMCSA only allowed 15 days of paper use when the first version of the waiver came out in July. By August, that window was stretched to 60 days for CDL holders, CLP holders, and motor carriers. This new extension keeps the 60-day allowance in place.
The delays tie back to the rollout of FMCSA’s National Registry II (NRII) rule. Under NRII, medical examiners send exam results electronically to FMCSA, which then passes the information to state driver’s licensing agencies so it can be added to a driver’s MVR. But not all states are ready.
As of October 10, 12 states still haven’t fully implemented NRII.
FMCSA explained the move this way: “This action further supports drivers and carriers as State Driver’s Licensing Agencies and certified medical examiners continue to transition to the secure electronic transmission of medical certification data required under the National Registry II (NRII) final rule.”
Extending the waiver is meant to protect drivers from being delayed or sidelined because of processing holdups they can’t control. FMCSA says keeping the paper option available helps prevent unnecessary disruptions for both drivers and fleets.
The agency is also urging certified medical examiners to continue handing out paper copies of the MCSA 5876 form, even as they send results electronically, until further notice.
For drivers, the takeaway is straightforward: if you get your med card issued anytime now through early January, that paper copy is valid proof for up to 60 days. Hold onto it and keep it in the truck until your state confirms everything has been posted electronically.
This update doesn’t change any medical certification requirements; it just gives drivers time and coverage while the system catches up.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
