The NRII Waiver Has Expired: What Motor Carriers Need to Do

The transition to electronic medical certification is now in effect. The NRII waiver expired at midnight on October 11, 2026, ending the temporary process that allowed states time to adopt the new system. Alaska is the only state where the waiver remains in place.

Under the new process, a medical provider uploads a driver’s physical examination results to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA then sends the information to the driver’s state driver licensing agency (SDLA). The paper medical card is no longer the primary record used to confirm a driver’s medical qualification.

Motor carriers should take these steps to keep driver qualification files current:

• Start the process early. Processing delays could leave a driver’s medical status updated after their current medical card expires. If the driver’s license is downgraded, they may be placed out of service during a roadside inspection.
• Obtain an updated motor vehicle record (MVR). Carriers must obtain an MVR two weeks after a driver’s physical and keep it in the driver’s qualification file.
• Update driver qualification files. For physicals performed after October 11, 2026, the Medical Examiner’s Certificate will no longer be part of the file. The MVR will become the source of record for confirming a driver’s medical qualification.

Following the new process helps prevent gaps in driver qualification files—and reduces the risk of audit findings or litigation.