FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Waiver

Much like the REAL ID you have likely heard about in recent years, the transition of medical certification data to the digital era has been met with a slow uptake, and when too many people resist to the point that enforcement is borderline impossible, a compromise is to extend the due date.

Details

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created the National Registry II to help maintain nationwide data on truckers’ medical records, so that if the need arises the Maryland government would have little trouble getting much needed details regarding an Oregon driver. While the rule requiring the 50 states (and District of Columbia) to adopt the program went into effect on June 23rd, 2025, twelve states have been slow on adopting it, and as such the FMCSA is extending it until October 12th.

Currently, drivers from states that have not adopted National Registry II are allowed to keep a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate (MEC) in the truck for immediate access should the need arise, with an expiry date originally being fifteen days from issue, now being extended to sixty days as the FMCSA wrangles up the final twelve states into cooperation.

“FMCSA determined that modifying the initial waiver is in the public interest to prevent undue hardship on drivers with valid medical certification and their employers due to potential processing delays outside of their control during this transition period,” FMCSA officials said in a statement.

Conclusion

Currently, the twelve states that are slow in providing compliance are:

• Alaska.
• California.
• Florida.
• Iowa.
• Kentucky.
• Louisiana.
• New Hampshire.
• New Jersey.
• New York.
• Oklahoma.
• Vermont.
• Wyoming.

With three of the four most populous states being on the list (and the number of truck drivers strongly correlating with the population of a given state), it is hardly a surprise that the FMCSA is providing a bit of leeway into getting this done. The only question that remains is what will happen if any of the states continue to avoid compliance come October 12th. While kicking the can down the road has worked to some extent for the REAL ID program (14 years after its original deadline!), it is hard to say that the same logic will apply to the National Registry II final rule.

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