To drive in intrastate or interstate commerce, you must have passed a medical examination, within the past 2 years, in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations 49 CFR 391, Subpart E, as defined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA)
Medical Examination Report.
New requirements and your Fed Med card -- what you need to know and do.
Acceptable proof of examination
Acceptable proof of examination for the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is a fully completed
Medical Examiner's Certificate. A medical examiner on the
National Registry will need to complete the FMCSA Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination as well as the certificate at the end of the packet. You will need to carry a copy of this certificate with you when operating a commercial motor vehicle. We recommend that you make a copy of your card to keep in your files.
Medical examiner
Medical examiners who perform driver medical exams are expected to understand fully the medical standards of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and related guidance. The National Registry requires medical examiners to participate in required training, pass a certification test, and register on the
National Registry system to become a certified medical examiner.
A waiver of certain physical impairments or diseases may be available.
For information on federal exceptions or waivers see
FMCSA Exemptions Programs or
Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE).
If you do not hold a federal medical card or are not grandfathered, you will be issued a restricted commercial driver license. This license would only be valid if you are:
- a school bus driver employed by a private contractor and you do not cross state lines for extracurricular activities;
- a school bus driver employed by a school district and drive a school bus owned by the district;
- employed by a municipality, county or state organization (i.e., a political subdivision).
For more information about school bus operations that do and do not require a federal medical card, please see the section federal medical standards frequently asked questions in the
Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual. Direct other questions concerning federal medical standards to:
1 Point Place
Suite 101
Madison, WI 53719-2809
Phone: (608) 662-2010 (federal medical standard questions only, please)
Diabetes and vision waivers for a CDL to drive intrastate commerce in Wisconsin
BDS353 – Brochure about diabetes and vision waivers for CDL to drive intrastate commerce