Tiers of operation

Tier 1 (NI - Non Excepted Interstate) - You drive interstate (you or your cargo crosses state lines) and you need a Fed Med card to drive a commercial vehicle.

Tier 2 (EI - Excepted Interstate) - You drive interstate (you or your cargo crosses state lines) and you do not need a Fed Med card to drive a commercial vehicle because of one of the reasons listed below.*

Tier 3 (NS - Non Excepted Intrastate) - You drive intrastate (you or your cargo does not cross state lines) and you need a Fed Med card to drive a commercial vehicle. [This is the correct tier for drivers who get a Wisconsin diabetes or vision waiver.]

Tier 4 (EA - Excepted Intrastate) - You drive intrastate (you or your cargo does not cross state lines) and you do not need a Fed Med card to drive a commercial vehicle because of one of the reasons listed below.**

*Tier 2 reasons include:

  • All school bus operations.
  • Transportation performed by the Federal government, a State, or any political subdivision of a State, or an agency established under a compact between States that has been approved by the Congress of the United States.
  • Transportation of human corpses or sick and injured persons.
  • Operation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles while involved in emergency and related operations.
  • Operation of vehicles designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers not for direct compensation.
  • Transportation of propane winter heating fuel or responding to a pipeline emergency.
  • Farm custom operation, custom-harvesting operations, transporting farm machinery, supplies, or both to or from a farm for custom-harvesting operations on a farm, or transport custom-harvested crops to storage or market.
  • Operation​ of a commercial motor vehicle controlled and operated by a beekeeper engaged in the seasonal transportation of bees.
  • Operation of private motor carrier of passengers (non-business).
  • Occasional transportation of personal property not for compensation or commercial enterprise.

**Tier 4 reasons include:

  • All reasons in Tier 2 above.
  • Plus Wisconsin exceptions as follows:
    • Tow trucks (if requested by a federal, state or local officer to move a wrecked or disabled vehicle)
    • Grandfathered (held valid CDL since July 29, 1996, that has not been revoked)

​If you certify in Tiers 2-4, you may still be required to have a Fed Med card due to state statutes or employer policy. However, you do not have to furnish a copy of the Fed Med card to the DMV outside of a normal trip for a license renewal or replacement.​​

For ​​more information​

​​Federal links:


For Fed Med questions:

Email fedmed@dot.wi.gov
Phone (608) 267-2290