Wisconsin DMV offers waivers to drivers who are insulin-dependent or who do not meet
federal vision standards.
Please be aware that a Wisconsin State Waiver (intrastate) is not the same as a federal waiver (interstate) and cannot be used in conjunction with a Federal Medical Examiner’s card.
Drivers who wish to obtain a Federal Waiver/Variance for interstate driving should contact the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at (703) 448-3094.
When would you need a Wisconsin State Waiver?
For
diabetes, if you:
- Are insulin-dependent
- Operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) in intrastate commerce
- Are not in an excepted industry
- Are not grandfathered
For
vision, if you:
- Have less than 20/40 vision in either eye or less than 70-degree field of vision in either eye
- Operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) in intrastate commerce
- Are not in an excepted industry
- Are not grandfathered
How to apply for a State Diabetes or Vision Waiver:
- Check your driving record.
- If you are applying for a
diabetes waiver, your driving record will need to be free of any moving violations or at-fault accidents
due to the diabetes in the past 3 years to qualify for the waiver.
- If you are applying for a
vision waiver, your driving record will need to be free of any moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past 3 years to qualify for the waiver.
- Submit a Driving Description which includes the following information:
- type of vehicle you intend to drive (i.e. straight truck, tractor/trailer combination, tank, etc.)
- type of driving you intend to do (i.e. long-distance transport, local transport, etc.)
- type of cargo you will transport
- number of hours and miles you will drive, listed by daytime and nighttime operation
- modifications made to the vehicle you intend to drive
- Submit your medical or vision report(s):
- If you are applying for a
diabetes waiver:
- Submit 2 separate Medical Examination Report
MV3644 completed by 2 different healthcare professionals (MD, DO, APNP or PA-C). Examinations must be conducted within 90 days of its receipt at the DMV.
- If you are applying for a
vision waiver:
- Submit a Certificate of Vision Examination by Competent Authority
MV3030V based on an examination conducted within 90 days immediately prior to applying for the waiver.
- Send all documents to the DMV address listed at the bottom of this page for review.
Reminder: if you are grandfathered, you do not need this waiver for CMV operation. However, if you drive a school or passenger bus, you will need to get licensing approval (also called an exception) by getting a board review.
What happens after your waiver material is reviewed?
- If approved:
- You will receive a letter approving the waiver. The waiver expiration date will appear on the letter.
- You will need to carry a copy of the waiver letter when operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle.
- The appropriate renewal forms will be sent to you at the time of renewal. If the completed forms are not returned within the required time period, the waiver will expire.
- A waiver can be cancelled due to non-compliance with applicable reporting requirements, a change in medical condition or driving history.
- If denied:
- Information regarding your appeals options will be sent to you.
What if I am a school or passenger bus driver or want to be a school or passenger bus driver and I now have insulin-dependent diabetes or do not meet federal vision standards?
You will need to get a
board review. It does not matter whether you have a Wisconsin state waiver, a federal waiver, an industry exception or are grandfathered, for
driving school bus you will need to get the special exception available only after consideration by the medical review board.
Medical information specific to ongoing school or passenger bus drivers
BDS353 - Wisconsin State Waiver Information for CDL Drivers