New FMCSA Initiative - Driver Medical Card Validation

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its State partners will be conducting random verification's of driver Medical Examiner's Certificates (MEC) during enforcement activities.

The purpose of these validations is to obtain verbal confirmation that the medical examination was conducted and the information on the Medical Examination Certificate is accurate. It is not to evaluate the driver's medical fitness to operate a CMV.

We will take the following steps to validate the authenticity of MECs:
1. Contact the Medical Examiner's (ME) office at the telephone number indicated on the certificate;
2. Explain the inquiry's purpose and indicate that it is intended solely to confirm that the document presented by the driver matches the records maintained by the ME. Direct contact with the actual ME is not required - an authorized staff member may provide the requested information; and
3. Provide the driver's name and date of birth, the date of issuance of the MEC and any restrictions indicated thereon and request verbal confirmation of the information provided.
The FMCSA appreciates the MEs' cooperation in our effort to eliminate the use of fraudulent MECs and to keep medically unqualified drivers off our nation's highways.

Be prepared for this new enforcement of the coming changes in driver medical qualifications.