The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced the implementation of a new digital system aimed at improving the safety and integrity of the commercial driver licensing process. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will now use the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration (NRII) rule to replace outdated paper documents with a secure electronic system.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said, "This new digitalized system will make life easier for lawful truck drivers and harder for bad actors who want to commit fraud. It will also enhance safety on our roads and ensure law enforcement has access to the real-time data they need to do their jobs. America First means safety first."
FMCSA Chief Counsel Jesse Elison emphasized that "Safety is at the core of all we do at FMCSA." He added that integrating electronic medical certification records into state-managed systems ensures only qualified drivers are on the roads, providing real-time information for state and enforcement partners.
The NRII rule, initially published in 2015, modernizes how driver medical certification information is shared by requiring certified medical examiners to electronically submit examination results to FMCSA's National Registry. As of today, 37 states comply with this rule, with others expected to follow soon.
Key improvements include electronic transmission of driver medical certification information, elimination of paper records, real-time access for inspectors and law enforcement officials, and increased accountability through certified medical examiners reporting results via the National Registry system.
The NRII rule aligns with FMCSA’s mission to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses by using technology and data for better oversight in the commercial motor vehicle industry.
For further details about the NRII rule, visit the FMCSA NRII Learning Center.
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