Fed Med Card and Tiers of Operation

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Federal and state regulations require all commercial drivers to certify their tier of operation – the type of operation in which they are engaged. Based on that certification, some drivers will be required to provide a copy of their Federal Medical Certificate, commonly called a Fed Med card, to the Wisconsin DMV.

The Fed Med card is a document that certifies a commercial motor vehicle driver is physically qualified to operate their vehicle safely. This certifies that a driver is in good health and able to handle the demands of long hours on the road, physical strain, and stressful situations that might arise during transit.

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 provide your Fed Med card (if required). Anytime there is a change in the tier of operation, you must also pay for a duplicate CDL.

How to determine your Tier level

Tier 1 --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 Fed Med card to drive a commercial vehicle
  • Any time you get a new Fed Med card, you need to submit a copy to the DMV

Tier 2 – You drive interstate, meaning you cross state lines; however, you do not need a Fed Med Card 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 Fed Med card, it may be used in place of the MV3030B.
  • 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 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 – You drive intrastate, meaning you do not cross state lines.

  • You need a Fed Med card to drive a commercial vehicle
  • You are required to carry your Fed Med card when you drive a commercial vehicle
  • You do not need to submit a copy of your Fed Med card to the Wisconsin DMV except when you go to a DMV Service Center for a CDL (including new issuance and renewals)
  • This is the correct tier for drivers who get a Wisconsin diabetes or vision waiver

Tier 4 – You drive intrastate, meaning you do not cross state lines; however, you do not need a Fed Med card 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)

Online look up of Tiers of Operation

If you are currently certified for any tier, click the “Start Now” button below to view and print verification of your current tier. Before clicking “Start Now” be sure that you have the following ready:

  • Your Wisconsin driver license number
  • The last four digits of your Social Security number
  • The product number from your driver license (11 digit number from the back of your license)

Start Now

This service may not be available on Sundays from 6 a.m.–9 a.m. due to regular system maintenance.

Tier 1 drivers are required to submit their Fed Med card to the DMV and keep it updated. Once you have uploaded your new Fed Med card you will be able to print a confirmation of successful upload.

Note: The confirmation is not valid to present to law enforcement or as proof you meet the commercial medical standards. The actual medical certificate and information on your record are the true verification that you meet these standards.

If you certified as Tier 1, click the “Start Now” button below to upload your current Fed Med card.

Before clicking “Start Now” be sure that you have the following ready:

  • Your Wisconsin driver license number
  • The last four digits of your Social Security number
  • The product number from your driver license (11 digit number from the back of your license)
  • An acceptable file type not to exceed 5 MB. File types accepted are PDF, JPG, GIF or PNG.

Processing time

Although most certificates are reviewed and added to the driver record in two to three business days, please allow up to 10 business days to complete this process. If you are a Tier 1 CDL driver, you can verify your updated Fed Med exam/expiration date online (see Check your driver license information)​.

Start Now

Helpful links:

Questions?
Envelope Email Wisconsin DMV email service

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