Directions
A Reminder For CDL Drivers In January of 2012, I told you of a change in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations for CDL Drivers that beginning January 30, 2012 all CDL holders will need to self-certify their expected type of commercial driving to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Well, the deadline is now upon us.
Sandy Munley Executive Director Ohio Landscape Association
If you have not already self-certified, you MUST do so by January 30, 2014. If you do not, you will not be able to legally drive a CDL vehicle on or after January 30th and run the risk of losing your CDL privileges.
If you have not already self-certified, you MUST do so by January 30, 2014.
CDL drivers who drive interstate will have to submit a copy of their medical certification along with the form. If you are not subject to the federal medical requirements you must: certify that you are excepted; certify that you only drive intrastate (only in Ohio) and are subject to state requirements; or certify that you are excepted from state requirements, as listed in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4506.03(b)(1-10).
The Self-Certification Authorization form and the Medical Examiners Certificate can be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail, or delivered in person to a Regional Reinstatement Office or a Deputy Registrar (locations are listed online). We highly recommend that you keep proof that your documents were received.
It sounds confusing, but the form (BMV Form 2159) is pretty simple and self-explanatory. To make it easier for you, you can find additional details on the OLA website, OhioLandscapers.org. We have also posted a link to Form 2159, a link to the Medical Certificate and one to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Frequently Asked Questions about this topic. You can also go to ohiobmv.gov and look under BMV Online Services, “Commercial Driver License (CDL) Self-Certification� for the online application to self-certify. They also have a dedicated toll free number (855) 240-8844 to answer your questions about this matter.
This information was originally brought to my attention by Daryl Lengyel of CDL Training Consultants. He is one of our OLA Member Service providers and he does a fantastic job keeping OLA members up to speed on the current rules and regulations when it comes to driving commercial vehicles. And CDL Training Consultants has again brought this to my attention because they are getting a lot of questions about this as the deadline approaches. Remember your driver must have a CDL license to operate any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. It is the rating that is important continued on page 32
30 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association