Fed Med card and CDLs

All commercial drivers must certify their tier of operation. Tier of operation describes the type of operation in which a driver will be engaged. Based on that, some drivers will have to keep a valid Medical Examination Certification (aka "Fed Med") on file with the Wisconsin DMV.

When required, a physical exam must be conducted by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry. The medical examiner must complete the FMCSA Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination and submit it electronically to FMCSA within 48 hours of the exam. Those results will either be sent to the Wisconsin DMV or will be available for the Wisconsin DMV to pull onto your record at the time of your next application.

A waiver of certain physical impairments or diseases may be available. For information on federal exceptions or waivers see FMCSA Exemptions Programs or Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE).

Tier 1 - (NI - Non Excepted Interstate) You drive interstate, meaning you cross state lines. Tier 1 is the most flexible option. It covers you anywhere you operate - in state or out of state.

• You need a Medical Examination Certification to drive a commercial vehicle.
  
• Any time you get a new Medical Examination Certification, your medical examiner will upload that to the national database, and it will be transmitted to the Wisconsin DMV within 48 hours.

Tier 2 – (EI - Excepted Interstate) You drive interstate, meaning you cross state lines. However, you do not need a Medical Examination Certification if you are operating under one of these federally excepted categories:

• All school bus operations.
  
• If you are a school bus driver, you will need to have a current school bus physical on file (Physical Examination Report form MV3030B). If you already have a Medical Examination Certification, it may be used in place of the MV3030B.
• Transportation performed by the Federal government, a state, or any political subpision 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 during an emergency 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 3 – (NA - Non Excepted Intrastate) You drive intrastate, meaning you do not cross state lines.

• You need a Medical Examination Certification to drive a commercial vehicle.
  
• The information from your Medical Examination Certification will be posted to your record and will be available to law enforcement to confirm roadside.
  
• Your medical examiner will upload that to the national database and it will be transmitted to the Wisconsin DMV within 48 hours.

Tier 4 – (EA - Excepted Intrastate) You drive intrastate, meaning you or your cargo do not cross state lines. You do not need a Medical Examination Certification to drive a commercial vehicle because of one of the following reasons:

• You meet all federal exceptions in Tier 2 above.
  

OR

• You meet one of these Wisconsin exceptions:
• Drive tow trucks if requested by a federal, state or local officer to move a wrecked or disabled vehicle.
  
• You are grandfathered in (i.e. you held a valid CDL since July 29, 1996, that has not been revoked).
  

If you are a new commercial driver, you will certify a tier as part of the application process for your CDL.

If you need to change your current tier of operation or you have not yet selected a tier, you will need to appear in person at your local DMV customer service center, select your tier by completing the Commercial Driver Certification: Tiers of Operation form MV3230 and the status of your Medical Examination Certification will be checked (if required).

Anytime there is a change in the tier of operation, you must also pay for a duplicate CDL.

• If you certify as Tier 1 or 3, you must ensure you have a valid examination reported to Wisconsin DMV at all times in order to be approved to operate at your selected tier of operation.
  
• Tier 1 drivers who do not have a valid examination available for the Wisconsin DMV to place on their record will have their CDL classes and endorsements surrendered until either a valid examination is reported or tier of operation is adjusted.

A medical examiner on the National Registry will need to complete the FMCSA Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination.

Medical examiners who perform driver medical exams are expected to fully understand the medical standards of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and related guidance.

The National Registry requires medical examiners to participate in required training, pass a certification test, and register on the National Registry system to become a certified medical examiner. They are also required to upload the results of your examination to the national database within 48 hours of your examination. From there those results will either be sent to the Wisconsin DMV or will be available for the Wisconsin DMV to pull onto your record at time of your next application.

A waiver of certain physical impairments or diseases may be available. For information on federal exceptions or waivers see FMCSA Exemptions Programs or Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE).

The interactive driver licensing guide is a helpful tool for those looking for information on commercial driving requirements. The guide will provide you with a checklist of requirements and allow you to pre-fill any required application(s) before visiting a DMV Customer Service Center. Depending on your eligibility, you may also be able to use the guide to electronically submit your application(s) and schedule an appointment with the DMV for expedited service.

You may also use our online status checker application to view your fed med information and print verification of your current tier of operation.

• Medical Examination Report Form
• National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (Find a qualified medical examiner)
• Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR 391.43 (Physical qualifications for drivers)
  
• Wisconsin Legislature: Trans 327.14 (Medical Certification requirements as part of the WI CDL)
• Wisconsin's requirements to obtain a CDL
  
• Motor carriers and trucking (wisconsindmv.gov/trucking)