Title 49

SECTION 383.73

383.73 State procedures.

§ 383.73 State procedures.

(a) Commercial Learner's Permit. (1) Prior to July 8, 2015. When issuing a CLP to a person prior to July 8, 2015, a State must meet the requirements in § 383.71(a)(1):

(2) On or after July 8, 2015. Prior to issuing a CLP to a person on or after July 8, 2015, a State must:

(i) Require the applicant to make the certifications, pass the tests, and provide the information as described in § 383.71(a)(2);

(ii) Initiate and complete a check of the applicant's driving record as described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.

(iii) Make the CLP valid for no more than one year from the date of issuance without requiring the CLP holder to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests. CLPs issued for a period of less than one year may be renewed provided the CLP is not valid for more than one year from the date of initial issuance.

(iv) Allow only a group-specific passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsement and tank vehicle (N) endorsement on a CLP, provided the applicant has taken and passed the knowledge test for the specified endorsement. All other Federal endorsements are prohibited on a CLP; and

(v) Complete the Social Security Number verification required by paragraph (g) of this section.

(vi) Require compliance with the standards for providing proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency specified in § 383.71(a)(2)(v) and proof of State of domicile specified in § 383.71(a)(2)(vi). Exception: A State is required to check the proof of citizenship or legal presence specified in this paragraph only for initial issuance, renewal or upgrade of a CLP or Non-domiciled CLP and for initial issuance, renewal, upgrade or transfer of a CDL or Non-domiciled CDL for the first time after July 8, 2011, provided a notation is made on the driver's record confirming that the proof of citizenship or legal presence check required by this paragraph has been made and noting the date it was done;

(vii)(A) Before June 22, 2021, for drivers who certified their type of driving according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) (non-excepted interstate) and, if the CLP applicant submits a current medical examiner's certificate, date-stamp the medical examiner's certificate, and post all required information from the medical examiner's certificate to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section.

(B) On or after June 22, 2021, for drivers who certified their type of driving according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) (non-excepted interstate) and, if FMCSA provides current medical examiner's certificate information electronically, post all required information matching the medical examiner's certificate to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section.

(b) Initial CDL. Prior to issuing a CDL to a person, a State must:

(1) Require the driver applicant to certify, pass tests, and provide information as described in § 383.71(b);

(2) Check that the vehicle in which the applicant takes his/her test is representative of the vehicle group the applicant has certified that he/she operates or expects to operate;

(3) Initiate and complete a check of the applicant's driving record to ensure that the person is not subject to any disqualification under § 383.51, or any license disqualification under State law, and does not have a driver's license from more than one State or jurisdiction. The record check must include, but is not limited to, the following:

(i) A check of the applicant's driving record as maintained by his/her current State of licensure, if any;

(ii) A check with the CDLIS to determine whether the driver applicant already has been issued a CDL, whether the applicant's license has been disqualified, or if the applicant has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle;

(iii) A check with the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) to determine whether the driver applicant has:

(A) Been disqualified from operating a motor vehicle (other than a commercial motor vehicle);

(B) Had a license (other than CDL) disqualified for cause in the 3-year period ending on the date of application; or

(iv) A request for the applicant's complete driving record from all States where the applicant was previously licensed over the last 10 years to drive any type of motor vehicle. Exception: A State is only required to make the request for the complete driving record specified in this paragraph for initial issuance of a CLP, transfer of CDL from another State or for drivers renewing a CDL for the first time after September 30, 2002, provided a notation is made on the driver's record confirming that the driver record check required by this paragraph has been made and noting the date it was done;

(v) Beginning January 30, 2012, a check that the medical certification status of a driver that self-certified according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) of this chapter (non-excepted interstate) is “certified;”

(4) Require the driver applicant to surrender his/her non-CDL driver's license and CLP;

(5)(i) Before June 22, 2021, for drivers who certified their type of driving according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) (non-excepted interstate) and, if the CDL holder submits a current medical examiner's certificate, date-stamp the medical examiner's certificate and post all required information from the medical examiner's certificate to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section.

(ii) On or after June 22, 2021, for drivers who certified their type of driving according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) (non-excepted interstate) and, if FMCSA provides current medical examiner's certificate information electronically, post all required information matching the medical examiner's certificate to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section.

(6) Require compliance with the standards for providing proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency specified in § 383.71(b)(9) and proof of State of domicile specified in § 383.71(b)(10). Exception: A State is required to check the proof of citizenship or legal presence specified in this paragraph only for initial issuance, renewal or upgrade of a CLP or Non-domiciled CLP and for initial issuance, renewal, upgrade or transfer of a CDL or Non-domiciled CDL for the first time after July 8, 2011, provided a notation is made on the driver's record confirming that the proof of citizenship or legal presence check required by this paragraph has been made and noting the date it was done;

(7) If not previously done, complete the Social Security Number verification required by paragraph (g) of this section;

(8) For persons applying for a hazardous materials endorsement, require compliance with the standards for such endorsement specified in §§ 383.71(b)(8) and 383.141;

(9) Make the CDL valid for no more than 8 years from the date of issuance; and

(10) Beginning January 6, 2023, request information from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in accordance with § 382.725 of this chapter.

(11) Beginning on February 7, 2022, not conduct a skills test of an applicant for a Class A or Class B CDL, or a passenger (P) or school bus (S) endorsement until the State verifies electronically that the applicant completed the training prescribed in subpart F of part 380 of this subchapter.

(1) Require the driver applicant to make the certifications contained in § 383.71(b)(1) and (5);

(2) Complete a check of the driver applicant's record as contained in paragraph (b)(3) of this section;

(3) Request and receive updates of information specified in subpart J of this part;

(4) If such applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, require compliance with standards for such endorsement specified in §§ 383.71(b)(8) and 383.141 and ensure that the driver has, within the 2 years preceding the transfer, either:

(i) Passed the test for such endorsement specified in § 383.121; or

(ii) Successfully completed a hazardous materials test or training that is given by a third party and that is deemed by the State to substantially cover the same knowledge base as that described in § 383.121;

(5) If not previously done, complete the Social Security Number verification required by paragraph (g) of this section;

(6) Require the applicant to surrender the CDL issued by the applicant's previous State of domicile;

(7) Require compliance with the standards for providing proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency specified in § 383.71(b)(9) and proof of State of domicile specified in § 383.71(b)(10). Exception: A State is required to check the proof of citizenship or legal presence specified in this paragraph only for initial issuance, renewal or upgrade of a CLP or Non-domiciled CLP and for initial issuance, renewal, upgrade or transfer of a CDL or Non-domiciled CDL for the first time after July 8, 2011, provided a notation is made on the driver's record confirming that the proof of citizenship or legal presence check required by this paragraph has been made and noting the date it was done;

(8) Beginning January 30, 2012, verify from the CDLIS driver record that the medical certification status of driver is “certified” for those who certified according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i). Exception: A driver who certified according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) that he/she plans to operate in non-excepted interstate commerce may present a current medical examiner's certificate issued prior to January 30, 2012. The medical examiner's certificate provided by the driver must be posted to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section;

(9) Make the CDL valid for no more than 8 years from the date of issuance; and

(10) Beginning January 6, 2023, request information from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in accordance with § 382.725 of this chapter.

(d) License Renewals. Prior to renewing any CDL a State must:

(1) Require the driver applicant to make the certifications contained in § 383.71(b);

(2) Complete a check of the driver applicant's record as contained in paragraph (b)(3) of this section;

(3) Request and receive updates of information specified in subpart J of this part;

(4) If such applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, require the driver to pass the test specified in § 383.121 and comply with the standards specified in §§ 383.71(b)(8) and 383.141 for such endorsement;

(5) If not previously done, complete the Social Security Number verification required by paragraph (g) of this section;

(6) Make the renewal of the CDL valid for no more than 8 years from the date of issuance;

(8) Beginning January 30, 2012, verify from the CDLIS driver record that the medical certification status is “certified” for drivers who self-certified according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i). Exception: A driver who certified according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) may present a current medical examiner's certificate issued prior to January 30, 2012. The medical examiner's certificate provided by the driver must be posted to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section; and

(9) Beginning January 6, 2023, request information from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in accordance with § 382.725 of this chapter.

(e) License upgrades. Prior to issuing an upgrade of a CDL, a State must:

(1) Require such driver applicant to provide certifications, pass tests, and meet applicable hazardous materials standards specified in § 383.71(e);

(2) Complete a check of the driver applicant's record as described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section;

(3) If not previously done, complete the Social Security Number verification required by paragraph (g) of this section;

(4) Require the driver applicant to surrender his/her previous CDL;

(5) Require compliance with the standards for providing proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency specified in § 383.71(b)(9) and proof of State of domicile specified in § 383.71(b)(10). Exception: A State is required to check the proof of citizenship or legal presence specified in this paragraph only for initial issuance, renewal or upgrade of a CLP or Non-domiciled CLP and for initial issuance, renewal, upgrade, or transfer of a CDL or Non-domiciled CDL, for the first time after July 8, 2011, provided a notation is made on the driver's record confirming that the proof of citizenship or legal presence check required by this paragraph has been made and noting the date it was done;

(6) Beginning January 30, 2012, verify from the CDLIS driver record that the medical certification status is “certified” for drivers who self-certified according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i). Exception: A driver who certified according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) may present a current medical examiner's certificate issued prior to January 30, 2012. The medical examiner's certificate provided by the driver must be posted to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section;

(7) Make the CDL valid for no more than 8 years from the date of issuance; and

(8) Beginning January 6, 2023, request information from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in accordance with § 382.725 of this chapter.

(9) Beginning on February 7, 2022, not conduct a skills test of an applicant for an upgrade to a Class A or Class B CDL, or a passenger (P), school bus (S) endorsement, or administer the knowledge test to an applicant for the hazardous materials (H) endorsement, unless the applicant has completed the training required by subpart F of part 380 of this subchapter.

(f) Non-domiciled CLP and CDL. (1) A State may only issue a Non-domiciled CLP or CDL to a person who meets one of the circumstances described in § 383.71(f)(1).

(2) State procedures for the issuance of a non-domiciled CLP and CDL, for any modifications thereto, and for notifications to the CDLIS must at a minimum be identical to those pertaining to any other CLP or CDL, with the following exceptions:

(i) If the applicant is requesting a transfer of his/her Non-domiciled CDL, the State must obtain the Non-domiciled CDL currently held by the applicant and issued by another State;

(ii) The State must add the word “non-domiciled” to the face of the CLP or CDL, in accordance with § 383.153(c); and

(iii) The State must have established, prior to issuing any Non-domiciled CLP or CDL, the practical capability of disqualifying the holder of any Non-domiciled CLP or CDL, by withdrawing or disqualifying his/her Non-domiciled CLP or CDL as if the Non-domiciled CLP or CDL were a CLP or CDL issued to a person domiciled in the State.

(3) The State must require compliance with the standards for providing proof of legal presence specified in § 383.71(b)(9) and § 383.71(f)(2)(i).

(4) Beginning January 6, 2023, for drivers seeking issuance, renewal, upgrade or transfer of a non-domiciled CDL, request information from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in accordance with § 382.725 of this chapter.

(g) Social Security Number verification. (1) Prior to issuing a CLP or a CDL to a person the State must verify the name, date of birth, and Social Security Number provided by the applicant with the information on file with the Social Security Administration. The State is prohibited from issuing, renewing, upgrading, or transferring a CLP or CDL if the Social Security Administration database does not match the applicant-provided data.

(2) Exception. A State is only required to perform the Social Security Number verification specified in this paragraph for initial issuance of a CLP, transfer of CDL from another State or for drivers renewing a CDL for the first time after July 8, 2011 who have not previously had their Social Security Number information verified, provided a notation is made on the driver's record confirming that the verification required by this paragraph has been made and noting the date it was done.

(h) License issuance. After the State has completed the procedures described in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section, as applicable, it may issue a CLP or CDL to the driver applicant. The State must notify the operator of the CDLIS of such issuance, transfer, renewal, or upgrade within the 10-day period beginning on the date of license issuance.

(i) Surrender procedure. A State may return a surrendered license to a driver after physically marking it so that it cannot be mistaken for a valid document. Simply punching a hole in the expiration date of the document is insufficient. A document perforated with the word “VOID” is considered invalidated.

(j) Penalties for false information. If a State determines, in its check of an applicant's license status and record prior to issuing a CLP or CDL, or at any time after the CLP or CDL is issued, that the applicant has falsified information contained in subpart J of this part, in any of the certifications required in § 383.71(b) or (g), or in any of the documents required to be submitted by § 383.71(h), the State must at a minimum disqualify the person's CLP or CDL or his/her pending application, or disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a period of at least 60 consecutive days.

(k) Drivers convicted of fraud related to the testing and issuance of a CLP or CDL. (1) The State must have policies in effect that result, at a minimum, in the disqualification of the CLP or CDL of a person who has been convicted of fraud related to the issuance of that CLP or CDL. The application of a person so convicted who seeks to renew, transfer, or upgrade the fraudulently obtained CLP or CDL must also, at a minimum, be disqualified. The State must record any such withdrawal in the person's driving record. The person may not reapply for a new CDL for at least 1 year.

(2) If a State receives credible information that a CLP- or CDL-holder is suspected, but has not been convicted, of fraud related to the issuance of his/her CLP or CDL, the State must require the driver to re-take the skills and/or knowledge tests. Within 30 days of receiving notification from the State that re-testing is necessary, the affected CLP- or CDL-holder must make an appointment or otherwise schedule to take the next available test. If the CLP- or CDL-holder fails to make an appointment within 30 days, the State must disqualify his/her CLP or CDL. If the driver fails either the knowledge or skills test or does not take the test, the State must disqualify his/her CLP or CDL. Once a CLP- or CDL-holder's CLP or CDL has been disqualified, he/she must reapply for a CLP or CDL under State procedures applicable to all CLP and CDL applicants.

(l) Reciprocity. A State must allow any person who has a valid CLP, CDL, Non-domiciled CLP, or Non-domiciled CDL and who is not disqualified from operating a CMV, to operate a CMV in the State.

(m) Document verification. The State must require at least two persons within the driver licensing agency to participate substantively in the processing and verification of the documents involved in the licensing process for initial issuance, renewal or upgrade of a CLP or Non-domiciled CLP and for initial issuance, renewal, upgrade or transfer of a CDL or Non-domiciled CDL. The documents being processed and verified must include, at a minimum, those provided by the applicant to prove legal presence and domicile, the information filled out on the application form, and knowledge and skills test scores. This section does not require two people to process or verify each document involved in the licensing process. Exception: For offices with only one staff member, at least some of the documents must be processed or verified by a supervisor before issuance or, when a supervisor is not available, copies must be made of some of the documents involved in the licensing process and a supervisor must verify them within one business day of issuance of the CLP, Non-domiciled CLP, CDL or Non-domiciled CDL.

(n) Computer system controls. The State must establish computer system controls that will:

(1) Prevent the issuance of an initial, renewed or upgraded CLP or an initial, renewed, upgraded, or transferred CDL when the results of transactions indicate the applicant is unqualified. These controls, at a minimum, must be established for the following transactions: State, CDLIS, and PDPS driver record checks; and Social Security Number verification. Knowledge and skills test scores verification controls must be established for an initial, renewed, or upgraded CDL.

(2) Suspend the issuance process whenever State, CDLIS, and/or PDPS driver record checks return suspect results. The State must demonstrate that it has a system to detect and prevent fraud when a driver record check returns suspect results. At a minimum, the system must ensure that:

(i) The results are not connected to a violation of any State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control (other than parking, vehicle weight, or vehicle defect violations);

(ii) The name of the persons performing the record check and authorizing the issuance, and the justification for the authorization are documented by the State; and

(iii) The person performing the record check and the person authorizing the issuance are not the same.

(o) Medical recordkeeping - (1)(i) Status of CLP or CDL holder. Before June 22, 2021, for each operator of a commercial motor vehicle required to have a CLP or CDL, the current licensing State must:

(A) Post the driver's self-certification of type of driving under § 383.71(b)(1) to the CDLIS driver record;

(B) Post the information from the medical examiner's certificate within 10 calendar days to the CDLIS driver record, including:

(1) Medical examiner's name;

(2) Medical examiner's telephone number;

(3) Date of medical examiner's certificate issuance;

(4) Medical examiner's license number and the State that issued it;

(5) Medical examiner's National Registry identification number;

(6) The indicator of medical certification status, i.e., “certified” or “not-certified”;

(7) Expiration date of the medical examiner's certificate;

(8) Existence of any medical variance on the medical examiner's certificate, such as an exemption, SPE certification, or grandfather provisions;

(9) Any restrictions (e.g., corrective lenses, hearing aid, required to have possession of an exemption letter or SPE certificate while on-duty, etc.); and

(10) Date the medical examiner's certificate information was posted to the CDLIS driver record; and

(1) Date of medical variance issuance; and

(2) Expiration date of medical variance;

(D) Retain the original or a copy of the medical examiner's certificate of any driver required to provide documentation of physical qualification for 3 years beyond the date the certificate was issued.

(ii) Status of CLP or CDL holder. On or after June 22, 2021, for each operator of a commercial motor vehicle required to have a CLP or CDL, the current licensing State must:

(A) Post the driver's self-certification of type of driving under § 383.71(b)(1) to the CDLIS driver record;

(B) Post the information from the medical examiner's certificate received from FMCSA to the CDLIS driver record, including:

(1) Medical examiner's name;

(2) Medical examiner's telephone number;

(3) Date of medical examiner's certificate issuance;

(4) Medical examiner's license number and the State that issued it;

(5) Medical examiner's National Registry identification number;

(6) The indicator of medical certification status, i.e., “certified” or “not-certified”;

(7) Expiration date of the medical examiner's certificate;

(8) Existence of any medical variance on the medical examiner's certificate, such as an exemption, Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certification, or grandfather provisions;

(9) Any restrictions (e.g., corrective lenses, hearing aid, required to have possession of an exemption letter or SPE certificate while on-duty, etc.); and

(10) Date the medical examiner's certificate information was posted to the CDLIS driver record;

(C) Post the medical variance information received from FMCSA within 1 business day to the CDLIS driver record, including:

(1) Date of medical variance issuance; and

(2) Expiration date of medical variance;

(D) Retain the electronic record of the medical examiner's certificate information for any driver required to have documentation of physical qualification for 3 years beyond the date the certificate was issued.

(2) Status update. (i) Before June 22, 2021, the State must, within 10 calendar days of the driver's medical examiner's certificate or medical variance expiring, the medical variance being rescinded or the medical examiner's certificate being voided by FMCSA, update the medical certification status of that driver as “not certified.”

(ii) On or after June 22, 2021, the State must, within 10 calendar days of the driver's medical examiner's certificate or medical variance expiring, the medical examiner's certificate becoming invalid, the medical variance being rescinded or the medical examiner's certificate being voided by FMCSA, update the medical certification status of that driver as “not certified.”

(3) Variance update. (i) Before June 22, 2021, within 10 calendar days of receiving information from FMCSA regarding issuance or renewal of a medical variance for a driver, the State must update the CDLIS driver record to include the medical variance information provided by FMCSA.

(ii) On or after June 22, 2021, within 1 business day of electronically receiving medical variance information from FMCSA regarding the issuance or renewal of a medical variance for a driver, the State must update the CDLIS driver record to include the medical variance information provided by FMCSA.

(4) Downgrade. (i) If a driver's medical certification or medical variance expires, or FMCSA notifies the State that a medical certification was invalidated or voided or a medical variance was removed or rescinded, the State must:

(A)(1) Before June 22, 2021, notify the CLP or CDL holder of his/her CLP or CDL “not-certified” medical certification status and that the CMV privileges will be removed from the CLP or CDL unless the driver submits a current medical examiner's certificate and/or medical variance, or changes his/her self-certification to driving only in excepted or intrastate commerce (if permitted by the State);

(2) On or after June 22, 2021, notify the CLP or CDL holder of his/her CLP or CDL “not-certified” medical certification status and that the CMV privileges will be removed from the CLP or CDL unless the driver has been medically examined and certified in accordance with 49 CFR 391.43 as physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle by a medical examiner, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, or the driver changes his/her self-certification to driving only in excepted or intrastate commerce (if permitted by the State).

(B) Initiate established State procedures for downgrading the CLP or CDL. The CLP or CDL downgrade must be completed and recorded within 60 days of the driver's medical certification status becoming “not-certified” to operate a CMV.

(ii)(A) Before June 22, 2021, if a driver fails to provide the State with the certification contained in § 383.71(b)(1), or a current medical examiner's certificate if the driver self-certifies according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) that he/she is operating in non-excepted interstate commerce as required by § 383.71(h), the State must mark that CDLIS driver record as “not-certified” and initiate a CLP or CDL downgrade following State procedures in accordance with paragraph (o)(4)(i)(B) of this section.

(B) On or after June 22, 2021, if a driver fails to provide the State with the certification contained in § 383.71(b)(1), or, if the driver self-certifies according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) that he/she is operating in non-excepted interstate commerce as required by § 383.71(h) and the information required by paragraph (o)(2)(ii) of this section is not received and posted, the State must mark that CDLIS driver record as “not-certified” and initiate a CLP or CDL downgrade following State procedures in accordance with paragraph (o)(4)(i)(B) of this section.

(5) FMCSA Medical Programs is designated as the keeper of the list of State contacts for receiving medical variance information from FMCSA. Beginning January 30, 2012, States are responsible for insuring their medical variance contact information is always up-to-date with FMCSA's Medical Programs.

(6) In the event of a conflict between the medical certification information provided electronically by FMCSA and a paper copy of the medical examiner's certificate, the medical certification information provided electronically by FMCSA shall control.

(p) After February 7, 2022, the State must notify FMCSA that a training provider in the State does not meet applicable State requirements for CMV instruction.

[76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019; 85 FR 6100, Feb. 4, 2020]