Medical exam

Anyone that drives a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is required to obtain a physical examination at least every 24 months. The examination must be made by a qualified medical examiner as outlined in Section 391.43 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), as adopted by Ohio, and must be listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

Vehicles that meet the following conditions are considered a CMV and must obtain a physical examination as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

• Commercial motor vehicles being operated by a For-hire Motor Carrier in either interstate or intrastate commerce. (Refer to the definition of a CMV found in 49 C.F.R. 390.5.)
• Commercial motor vehicles being operated by a Private Motor Carrier operating in interstate commerce. (Refer to the definition of a CMV found in 49 C.F.R. 390.5.)
• Commercial motor vehicles being operated by a Private Motor Carrier operating a vehicle in intrastate commerce. (Refer to the definition of a CMV found in 49 C.F.R. 383.5 and Ohio Administrative Code 4901:2-5-01(b).)

As of May 21, 2014, all drivers must have their physical examination preformed by a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website. The following are instructions for obtaining a certificate.

How to schedule exam and obtain certificate:

1. Go to the National Registry website at https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov.
2. Click on the U.S. map to bring up a list of certified medical examiners in your area. You can search by ZIP Code, State, or examiner name.
3. Choose a certified medical examiner from the list and call to make an appointment.
4. The medical examiners office will issue a new certificate on location.

Additional guidance is available on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Interstate (driving in multiple states) drivers who cannot meet the medical requirements in 49 C.F.R. 391.41 should contact the Ohio office of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to determine if a Skills Performance Evaluation certificate is available.

FMCSA Ohio Office: (614) 280-5657

Contact information for other waiver programs is available here.

Provisional medical certification (PMC)

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio offers PMC for eligible intrastate (Ohio driving only) drivers who are unable to pass their USDOT required physical examination. To apply for PMC, drivers must first meet the following eligibility requirements.

• Drivers applying for a PMC must have been employed or self-employed in an occupation that required the operation of a commercial motor vehicle on, or before, December 7, 1988.
• Drivers that use drugs, or have a clinical diagnosis of alcoholism as described in the USDOT physical exam (Appendix D to 49 CFR Part 341) are not eligible for PMC.
• Drivers applying for PMC must drive a commercial motor vehicle only within the state of Ohio (intrastate commerce). Drivers hauling the continuation of interstate freight are not eligible for PMC.
• Drivers that haul hazardous materials in amounts that require placarding of the vehicle are not eligible for PMC.
• Drivers that transport passengers for hire are not eligible for PMC.
• Drivers that operate a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver, are not eligible for PMC.

Restrictions for PMC are further explained in the Ohio Administrative Code 4901:2-5-04(c)(3) and (c)(8).

How to schedule exam and obtain provisional medical certification:

Drivers should download and review the packet of materials to the right and follow the instructions below (instructions are also in packet).

1. Complete the Certification of Driver Employment form. First, complete the “Certification of Driver Employment” form (on page 6) to prove you have been employed or self-employed in a job that required the operation of a CMV on or before December 7, 1988.
2. Submit Certification of Driver Employment form to PUCO. Submit your completed “Certification of Driver Employment” form by mail, email, or fax, to the PUCO’s Provisional Medical Certification (PMC) coordinator for review.
   
   PUCO Transportation Department
   Provisional Medical Certification Coordinator
   180 East Broad Street, 4th Floor
   Columbus, OH 43215-3793
   
   Scan or email to MedWaiver@puco.ohio.gov
   Phone: 614-466-3392 option 2
   Fax: (614) 466-2954
3. Schedule appointment. After reviewing your Certification of Driver Employment form the PUCO PMC coordinator will provide you with a “Medical Examiner’s Provisional Certificate” form and you can schedule a physical examination with a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov
4. Bring your instructional packet and your Medical Examiner’s Certificate to appointment. Give your instructional packet and your completed Certification of Driver Employment form to the medical examiner for review. If the medical examiner determines you qualify for PMC, the medical examiner will complete the Medical Examiner’s Provisional Certificate form and provide you with the original copy.
5. Send your completed provisional certificate that was signed by the medical examiner to the PMC coordinator (use contact information in step two). The PMC coordinator will then stamp your Medical Examiner's Provisional Certificate and return it to you. This stamp indicates that your certificate was received by the PUCO and is valid and now on file.
6. Send a copy of your signed and stamped Medical Examiner's Provisional Certificate to your employer(s). Your employer shall keep a copy of your Medical Examiner’s Provisional Certificate in your driver’s qualification file in the same manner as the medical examiner’s certificate.
7. Keep a copy! Finally, you must possess a signed and stamped copy of your Medical Examiner’s Provisional Certificate at all times when operating a commercial motor vehicle.