# 2026-07173: Truck Drivers Gain Temporary Paper Medical Cert Exemption Nationwide

2026-07173, Qualification of Drivers; Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Application for Exemption, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published 2026-04-14, effective 2026-04-11 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07173
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-07173
- Title: Qualification of Drivers; Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Application for Exemption
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 19255
- Published: 2026-04-14
- Effective: 2026-04-11
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Truck Drivers Gain Temporary Paper Medical Cert Exemption Nationwide

## Summary

Starting April 11, 2026, truck drivers and their companies across the U.S. can use a paper copy of their medical certificate for up to 60 days after it's issued, thanks to a six-month exemption. This helps drivers avoid penalties during delays caused by new medical certification rules being rolled out in a few states. The exemption ends October 11, 2026, and no more nationwide waivers are expected after that.

## Abstract

FMCSA announces its decision to grant a six-month exemption to allow motor carriers and drivers in all States and the District of Columbia to rely on a paper copy of the medical examiner's certificate (MEC) as proof of the driver's medical certification for up to 60 days after the MEC was issued. FMCSA has analyzed the request from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the public comments and has determined that the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved in the absence of the exemption. The purpose of the exemption is to ensure that drivers with valid medical certification and their employers are not penalized for delays outside of their control as five remaining States implement the Medical Examiner's Certification Integration final rule (NRII). FMCSA does not anticipate granting additional, nationwide NRII waivers or exemptions after the six-month duration of this exemption.

## Effects PRIA read

No economic effects identified for this document.

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- [2026-20649](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20649): Qualification of Drivers; Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Application for Exemption, 2026-10-08
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- [2026-20325](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20325): Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration, 2026-10-05

## Sources
- [2026-07173 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/14/2026-07173/qualification-of-drivers-commercial-vehicle-safety-alliance-application-for-exemption)
- [2026-07173 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-14/pdf/2026-07173.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07173 (as of 2026-06-08).