Truck drivers must continue to keep a copy of their medical certificate with them for another year, while states gear up to implement an electronic system for tracking the certificates.


The possession requirement was supposed to end January 30, 2012, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it needs to give states more time to get the automated system in place.

In that system, drivers will submit their certificates to the state licensing bureaus, which will in turn add the medical data to Commercial Driver Licensing Information System database, which roadside enforcement officials can access.

But a number of states will not be able to get the data transmitted in time to meet the 2012 deadline, so FMCSA is pushing it back to January 30, 2014.

Until then, drivers must continue to keep a copy of the certificate with them. They also must give one to their employer, who must keep it on file, and give a third to the state licensing agency.