Self–Certification Categories and Medical Certification Requirements

Effective January 30, 2012, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will be enacting new procedures for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders in order to comply with requirements recently adopted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

These new procedures require all CDL holders to declare a self-certification category relating to their type of commerce, and provide a valid updated medical certification (Med Cert) information to the MVA throughout their licensing period (where required). The MVA will add the medical certification status and the information from the medical certification documents (DOT card, waiver/exemption if required) to your commercial driving record.

All CDL holders are required to comply with these requirements no later than January 30, 2014.  You DO NOT need to submit your medical certification (MED CERT) information or declare a self-certification category with the MVA until you have been directly contacted by the Administration.  If you are contacted by the MVA to provide them with this documentation and you fail to do so within the time frame indicated, your entire driver’s privilege/license both commercial and noncommercial will be cancelled.  However, if you visit a MVA branch office to renew or obtain a duplicate, corrected or new CDL, you will be required to present valid Med Cert documentation at that time.  You must also declare a self-certification category relating to the type of commerce.  More information can be found at CDL Medical/Physical Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions.

For your reference, below is a brief explanation of the self-certification categories and the related medical certification requirements. Click here for the Driving Certification for Maryland Commercial Driver's License Holders form.

Self-Certification Categories

All CDL holders will be required to select one of the categories listed below:

• NON-EXCEPTED INTERSTATE (NI) - The CDL holder is qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle across state lines in accordance with 49 CFR Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR).
• NON-EXCEPTED INTRASTATE (NA) - The CDL holder is qualified to drive a commercial vehicle ONLY within the state of Maryland and has an approved MVA CDL Medical Waiver.
• EXCEPTED INTERSTATE (EI) - The CDL holder drives a commercial motor vehicle across state lines ONLY for specific excepted activities, such as to transport school children or staff, sick or injured persons, corpses, etc., in accordance with 49 CFR Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).  Since the driver must meet all Maryland requirements without an MVA CDL Medical Waiver, the CDL holder may select NI to maximize his/her driving options.
• EXCEPTED INTRASTATE (EA) - The CDL holder drives a commercial motor vehicle ONLY within Maryland.  Although exempt from the qualification requirements under 49 CFR Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) based on the type of driving performed, the CDL holder must meet all Maryland requirements without an MVA CDL Medical Waiver and may select NI to maximize his/her driving options.

General Information | Frequently Asked Questions