A driver’s medical card is an essential Driver File document and making sure it is renewed before it expires is a responsibility shared by the driver and employer. Unless there are medical concerns which make an examiner determine that a shorter period is merited, a medical card is good for two years.
Passing a medical exam by a provider registered in the FMCSA’s National Registry is required for CDL drivers to maintain a medical card. The exam includes a basic exam that includes hearing, vision, blood pressure and a urine test, as well as a questionnaire that incudes questions health history and past or present drug use.
If a CDL driver lies on the DOT medical exam (for example, failing to disclose a medical condition, medication, or history that would affect qualification), the penalties can be serious—both federal and state. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Federal Consequences
- 49 CFR § 390.35 makes it illegal to make a false statement or conceal a fact on any DOT-required document.
- This is considered fraud. Penalties can include:
- Civil penalties (fines up to $12,000+ per offense).
- Disqualification or suspension of CDL.
- Criminal penalties if the false statement was willful and material (possible fines and imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. § 1001).
2. State Consequences
- States that issue the CDL can suspend or revoke driving privileges if they find out a driver lied on the medical exam.
- Some states may impose additional fines or even permanent disqualification if the lie involved a serious disqualifying condition (like uncontrolled diabetes, seizure disorder, etc.).
3. Employer Consequences
- If the driver causes a crash and it’s discovered they lied on the medical card, they (and their employer) could face:
- Civil liability (lawsuits for negligence or wrongful death).
- Termination of employment.
- Employer penalties if the carrier “knew or should have known.”
4. Medical Examiner Penalties
- Medical Examiners are also required to report suspected fraud. If caught, the driver may be reported to FMCSA’s National Registry, leading to revocation of their medical card and CDL disqualification.
Lying on the DOT medical exam is fraud. It can cost a CDL driver their license, job, money in fines, and potentially lead to criminal charges.
Key Regulations & Laws
- 49 CFR § 390.35 — Certificates, Reports, and Records: Falsification, Reproduction, or Alteration
This rule prohibits:- Making fraudulent or intentionally false statements on any required application, certificate, report, or record;
- Making false entries; or
- Reproducing documents fraudulently.
- 49 U.S.C. § 521 — Civil Penalties
This statutory provision authorizes civil penalties for violations of certain safety/transportation laws and regulations, including those like § 390.35.