Starting June 23, 2025, commercial drivers across the U.S. will see a major change in how their DOT physical exam results are handled. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is updating the process to remove paperwork and streamline compliance, making it easier for drivers to stay on the road without extra hassle. What’s Changing? Under the new rule, certified medical examiners will now submit your DOT physical exam results electronically to the FMCSA by midnight of the next calendar day. From there, the FMCSA will send the results directly to your state licensing agency, where your motor vehicle record will be automatically updated. For drivers, that means: • No more faxing or mailing your medical certificate to the state • No more worrying if your certificate was processed in time • No need to carry a paper copy to prove you’re certified In fact, medical examiners are no longer required to hand you a physical certificate at all if you pass. The entire process is now digital and direct. What This Means for You This update removes a big administrative burden from drivers. Instead of chasing down paperwork, you can simply focus on completing your DOT physical on time and the system will take care of the rest. But don’t get too comfortable. If you don’t complete your physical on time, your medical certification status may go inactive, and your CDL could be downgraded or suspended. The physical requirements haven’t changed, but the consequences of missing your deadline remain serious. Still Important: Choose the Right Doctor While the submission process is getting easier, choosing the right medical examiner still matters. If you’ve ever thought about “doctor shopping” to pass your DOT physical, now’s the time to reconsider. That choice could backfire and impact your career in a big way. To learn more, check out our article Doctor Shopping for DOT Physicals: Consequences, Second Opinions, and More For interviews with trucking professionals, compelling stories, and the latest trends on the road, check out episodes of Beyond the Road, the ATS podcast!

Renewing your CDL after it expires Carriers you can start driving with How to find the best carrier when you start driving again So….you were a trucker with your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the past, but you decided to pursue a different industry for a few years. But, like many, you felt the call of the road was too hard to ignore, so you want to get back in a truck again. However, you don’t know what the next step is. Can you just apply at a trucking carrier and get behind the wheel again? The short answer (unfortunately) is that you must go through a few steps before you can start driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) again…and it all depends on the state you’re licensed in.

A new executive order was signed by President Donald J. Trump on April 28, 2025, and it’s something all commercial truck drivers need to know about. The order is called the Enforcing Common Sense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers, and while it sounds new, it’s actually reinforcing a rule that’s been around for years. The rule? Commercial drivers must be able to read and speak English. This isn’t a brand-new law. It’s already written into federal regulations (under 49 CFR 391.11, Part B2). But now, the government is stepping up enforcement — meaning drivers and companies will be expected to take it more seriously. What’s Changing? The law itself hasn’t changed, but enforcement has. Think of it like what happened when ELDs (electronic logging devices) became mandatory. Hours-of-service rules didn’t change, but how they were tracked and enforced did. Now, inspectors and DOT officers will be checking more carefully to make sure drivers can: Read traffic signs and signals Speak with police, DOT inspectors, and the general public Understand safety regulations and respond to questions Where Will it Be Enforced? You could be checked in a few different places: When getting your CDL: You’ll need to show you can speak and understand English as part of the licensing process. During roadside inspections: If an officer pulls you over and you can’t understand their instructions or communicate clearly, you could be taken off the road. During DOT audits: Companies being checked by the DOT will also be evaluated based on whether their drivers meet this requirement. What Happens If You Don’t Comply? The penalties are serious if you don't comply. Check out how the penalties differ for drivers and carriers: For Drivers You could be placed out of service right away, meaning you’ll be shut down on the spot if you can’t speak or understand English well enough. For Carriers Companies that hire drivers who don’t meet the requirement could face fines from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per violation. In severe cases, companies could face suspension of operating authority, which means they won’t be allowed to run loads at all. Why is This Happening? According to the White House, trucking fatalities have gone up in recent years. Some of that increase is believed to be caused by miscommunication (drivers being unable to read road signs or talk with safety officials). This executive order is designed to make sure that every commercial driver on the road can understand and respond to important safety information. The goal is to reduce accidents and make roads safer for everyone. What Should Drivers and Carriers Do? As a driver, practice the following: Make sure you’re confident in your English reading and speaking skills. If you’re struggling, look into free or low-cost training to improve. As a carrier, remember the following: Double-check that your drivers meet the English requirement before and during employment. Offer support and resources to help drivers get up to speed if needed. This isn’t just about following a rule. It’s about avoiding shutdowns and keeping everyone safe. What’s Next? This executive order is part of a bigger effort to improve safety in the trucking industry. The effects of this rule — and how it’s enforced — will be closely watched over the coming months. In the meantime, it’s smart to get ahead of the game and make sure everyone in your operation is ready and compliant. Check out the Beyond the Road podcast for an inside look at the trucking industry. It features trucking professionals, compelling stories, and the latest trends on the road.

What is DOT Blitz Week? When is blitz week this year? What are inspectors focusing on this year? How can I prepare as a driver to pass the inspection? Each year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announces several blitzes. A blitz is a concentrated effort by the CVSA to ensure trucks and drivers are safe on the road. Each blitz has a different focus. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) puts together a series of specialized enforcement events each year. There's Operation Safe Driver Week in July and Brake Safety Week in August, as well as an unannounced brake safety enforcement program that randomly occurs once during the year.

It’s time for your next Department of Transportation (DOT) physical to get your med card. Oh, that dreaded physical. Does anyone like going to the doctor? Not really. Especially when you’re relying on that doctor to give you the green light to continue on as a truck driver. That’s right, the doctor has the power to make or break your role as a truck driver with the results they give you. It can feel like the power is in their hands (when it’s really your body that’s in control) so when you get a diagnosis you don’t like and that prevents you from getting a medical card, you can be tempted to go to a different doctor to get a better answer… …And so starts the process of doctor shopping.