New Flexibility for MCPs, Medical Certificates
DMV allows online MER/MEC filing, w aives late fees, delays registration requirements and extends permits and IDs

Updating Medical Certificates Online
Commercial drivers now can submit medical certificate updates for their license through the DMV’s Virtual Office . This transaction previously could only be accomplished through mail or a visit to a DMV field office.

The DMV announced yesterday commercial driver license (CDL) holders
with a non-expired CDL can submit an approved CDL Medical Examiner Report (MER) MCSA-5875 and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) MCSA-5876 through the DMV Virtual Office. This ensures their CDL record is updated biannually to remain federally compliant.

To submit MER/MEC forms through the DMV Virtual Office, CDL holders must visit virtual.dmv.ca.gov , complete the required fields, and upload approved MER/MEC forms completed by a licensed U.S. doctor of medicine (M.D.), doctor of osteopathy (D.O.), physician’s assistant (P.A.), doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). A DMV employee will correspond with the CDL holder through email if more information/documents are required. The CDL holder will receive a confirmation email when the transaction is complete and their record has been updated to reflect the new MER/MEC.

NOTE: The CDL holder must have a current, non-expired CDL in order to submit the MER/MEC through the DMV Virtual Office. An expired CDL record will not allow the MER/MEC to update.

New Relief for Late Fees, Vehicle Registration, Permits
Additionally, following the Governor's Executive Order , the DMV provided new relief by:

  • Waiving late fees and penalties for vehicle registration renewals due between March 16 and May 31, 2020, and paid within 60 days of the original expiration date. The requirement to have current license plate stickers is also waived for vehicles with registration expiring between March 4 and June 30, 2020.
  • Extending identification cards expiring on or after March 4, 2020, to be valid through June 22, 2020 (60 days from today).
  • Temporarily suspending for 60 days the requirement to submit a transfer of ownership within 10 days for vehicle transfers occurring on or after March 4, 2020, and the requirement to register a vehicle acquired or previously based outside of California within 20 days once registration becomes due.
  • Allowing temporary operating permits that expire on or after March 4, 2020, to be valid another 60 days from today.
  • Lengthening motor carrier permits expiring in March, April and May 2020 to June 30, 2020. A motor carrier permit is required for numerous transportation and commercial activities in California, including transporting property for compensation, hauling with a commercial vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds, and transporting hazardous materials.

As a reminder, all commercial driver licenses, endorsements and certificates expiring between March and June 2020 are now valid through June 30, 2020, following the DMV's announcement aligning the state extension with FMCSA's waiver .

Separately, please note CTA has shifted the COVID-19 information exchange webinars to every other week. The next call is Friday, May 1 at 1:30pm PST. Please register to receive the dial-in information.