CR_14-031 Motor carrier safety and affecting small businesses

  • STATE OF WISCONSIN
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
    The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation Proposes an Order to Create Permanent Rule Wisconsin Administrative Code ch. Trans 327.14 Relating to Motor Carrier Safety and affecting small businesses.
    The Statement of Scope for this Permanent Rule, SS 012-11 , was approved by the Governor on August 16, 2011, published in Wisconsin Administrative Register No. 669 on September 15, 2011, and approved by the Secretary of the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation Mark Gottlieb, P.E., as required by Wis. Stat. s. 227.135(2) , on September 26, 2011.
    The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Department) Proposes an Order to Create Permanent Rule Wisconsin Administrative Code ch. Trans 327.14 Relating to Motor Carrier Safety, and affecting small businesses.
    A n a l y s i s P r e p a r e d b y th e W i s c o n s i n D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n
    S t a tut o ry a utho r i t y : Wis. Stat. s . 3 43 . 0 6 5 ( 3 ) .
    E x p l a n a t i o n o f a g e n c y a utho ri t y : Cur r en t l a w r e q u i r e s th e D e pa r t me n t to a d m inist e r t h e d r i v e r l i c en se law f o r c om m e rc i a l mo t o r v eh ic l e s c on t a i ne d in c h . 3 4 3 , W is. S t a t s . The st a t e ha s de cl a r e d its pu rp o se a n d in ten t t o i mp l e me n t a n d e n f o rce t h e f e de ral d r i v e r l i c en se l a w s so a s to e n s u re re c e ipt b y t h is st a te o f a n y f e d e ral h i g h w a y a ids. Fe de ral law re q u i r e s st a t e s to c o n f o rm to f ede r a l re g u la t io n s a f fe cti n g c o m me rc i a l m o t o r v eh ic l e s an d t he ir d r i v e rs, o r f a c e w it hho ldi n g o f f ede ral h i g h w a y f und s. S e e 4 9 C F R 384 . 401 . T h e a m o un ts t o b e w i t hhe l d f r o m a st a t e t ha t f a i l s to c o n f o rm t o f ede r a l re g u la t io n s a f fe cti n g c o m me rc i a l mo t o r v eh ic l e s o r t he ir d r i v e rs a re 5 % o f f e de r a l h i g h w a y a id f o r t h e first y ea r o f s ub s t an t i a l non c o n f o r m it y , an d 10 % p e r y ea r o f n o n c o n f o r m ity t he r e a f t e r . Cur r en t W i s c on sin law a lso re q u i r e s Department rules a f f e cti n g d r i v e r l i c en s e s no t to c on f l i ct w it h , an d b e a t le a st a s str i n g en t as , st a nda rds s e t b y t h e f ede r a l c om m e rc i a l mo t o r v eh ic l e s a f e ty a ct, 4 9 USC 31 3 0 1 t o 3 13 1 7 a n d t h e re g u l a ti on s a d op t e d un d e r t h a t a c t .
    On Dec e m b e r 1 , 2 0 0 8 , t h e f e de ral mo t o r c a r r ier an d s a f e ty a d m i n istration ( F M CS A ”) issu e d its f i n a l rule c o n c e rning M ed ical Cer t i f ica t i o n Re q u i r e m en ts a s P a rt o f t h e C D L [C o m me rc i a l D r i v e r L i c en s e ]” a t 7 3 F e de ral Re g ist e r 73 0 9 6 . A mon g o t he r c h an g e s, t h e f ede ral re g u la t i o n re q u i r e s c o m me rc i a l mo t o r v eh ic l e d r i v e rs to de clare w he t he r t he y in te n d to en g a g e in d r i v i n g ope rati on s t ha t re q u i r e t h e d r i v e r t o ma i n t a in p r o o f o f med i c a l e x am i n a ti o n s ho w ing t h e d r i v e r m e e ts f i t ne ss qu a l i f ic a ti o n s, a n d re q u i r e s t h e st a te d r i v e r l i c en sing a g en cy to ‘d o w n g ra de t h e C D L o f an y d r i v e r t ha t f a i l s to ti me ly ma ke that c e rt i f ic a ti o n o r t o ma in t a in that p r o o f o n f i le . In response , W is c on sin ena c t e d c o n f o r m ing s t a t u t o ry re q u i r emen ts a s pa rt o f 2 0 1 1 W is c o n sin Act 3 2 (the 2 0 1 1 - 1 3 b i e nn ial b u d g e t a c t ), an d re q u i r e d t h e D e pa rt m en t t o do all of the following : p r o mu l g a te rules to d e f i n e " do w n g ra de " i n a c c o rd an c e w i th f e de ral law an d r e g u la t io n s o r g u id an c e f r o m t h e a pp l i c a b le f e de ral a g en c y ; e st a b l i sh t h e p roc e s s f o r d o wn g ra d ing a C D L , and w he t he r o r no t a n e w CDL do c u m e n t w i l l b e issu e d a f te r a C D L is do w n g ra de d ; a n d e st ab l i sh t h e p roc e ss f o r reinst a ti n g a do w n g ra de d CDL a f t e r t h e Department rec e i v e s a v a l i d med ical c e rt i f i c a t i o n o r o t h e r app r o p r i a te c e rt i f i c a t i o n o f p h y sical q ua l i f ica t io n s f r o m t h e lic e n s e e . S e e s. 3 4 3 . 0 6 5 (3) , S t a ts.
    T h is rul ema king i mp l em e n ts s. 34 3 . 0 6 5 ( 3 ) , St a ts. T h e o b jec t i v e o f t h is rule is t o : i mp l e me n t f ede ral r e q u i r em e n ts f o r c o m m e r cial d r i v e rs to de clare t he ir in t e n d e d d r i v i n g t y pe ; ob t a in f r o m d r i v e rs f e d e ral l y re q u i r e d m ed ical e x am in e r s c e rt i f ica te s to t h e Department ; e lec t ro n i c a l l y en t e r t h e d r i v e r s s e l f - c e rt i f ic a ti o n o f d r i v ing t y p e an d t h e st a t u s o f t h e ir f e de ral med i c a l e x am i n e r s c e rt i f ica t i o n on l i n e f o r a c c e ss b y t h e d r i v e r, emp l o y e rs an d o t he r st a t e s ; a n d f o r t h e Department to ti me ly m a k e t h o se c e rt i f ica t e s a v a i l ab le f o r i n s pe cti o n b y o t he r s t a t e s i n w h ich t h e d r i v e r ma y d r i v e .
    R e l a t e d s t a tut e o r r u l e : S e e t h e St a t u t e s i n t e r p r e te d s e c t i o n ; c h s . T r a n s 112 a n d 3 2 7 , W is . A d m . C o d e .
    Pl a in l a ngua g e a na l y s i s : T h is p r o po s e d rul e - ma king w ou ld b r i n g W i s c on sin i n t o c o n f o r m ity w ith f e de ral re g u la t io n s re q u i r ing t ha t c om me rc i a l d r i v e rs c e rt i f y w he re t he y d r i v e in c o m me rce ( T i e r o f O p e rati o n ) , a n d r e q u ir e d ri v e r s en gag e d i n n on - e x c e p te d i n t e r s ta t e c o m me r c e t o k e e p a v a li d f ed e r a l m ed i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e o n f il e w i t h th e li c e n s i n g st a t e . T h e f e de r a l m e d i c a l e x a m i n e r’ s c e r t i f i c a t e (“ F ed M e d C a r d ) i s p r o o f o f a qu a l i f i e d m ed i c a l e x a m i n a t i o n t h a t de t e r m i n e d t h e d r iv e r m e e t s f e de r a l m e d i c a l qu a l i f i c a t i on s f o r o p e r a t i n g a c o m me r c i a l m o t o r v eh i c l e . T h i s r u l e do e s n o t c h a n g e t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r w he n c o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r s m u s t ho l d a v a l i d F ed M e d C a r d . S p e c i f i c a ll y , u nd e r t h i s r u l e- m a k i n g :
    All c o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r s m u st c e r t i fy t he i r T i e r o f Op e r a t i o n to t h e D ep a r t m e n t . T h i s m a y b e : 1 ) i n t e r s t a t e n on - e x c e p t e d ( T i e r 1 ) ; 2 ) i n t e r s t at e e x c e p t e d ( T i e r 2 ) ; 3 ) i n t r a s t a te n o n - e x c e p t e d ( T i e r 3 ) ; o r 4 ) i n t r a s t a t e e x c e p t e d ( T i e r 4 ) . Dri v e r s c a n m a k e t h e c e r t i f i c a t i o n b y m a il , fa x , o n li n e o r b y e m a il , u s i n g a c o m p u t e r o r a S m a r tp h on e , o r a t a Division of Motor Vehicles (“ D M V ”) s e r v i ce c e n t e r .
    All c o m me r c i a l d ri v e r s c e r t i f y i n g th e i r Tier of Operation a s T i e r 1 m u st f il e a F ed M e d C a r d w i th t h e Department , an d k ee p i t u p - t o - d a t e . Dri v e r s c a n fi l e F e d M e d C a r d s b y m a i l , f a x , on li n e o r b y e m a il , u s i n g a c o m p u t e r o r a S ma r t ph o n e , o r a t a D M V s e r v i ce c e n t e r .
    T h e D e p a r t m e n t w il l u pd a t e t h a t c o m m e r c i a l d ri v e r’ s r e c o r d s ho w n o n th e C o m me r c i a l Dri v e r L i c e n se In f o r m a t i o n S y st e m (CD L IS) w i t h i n 1 0 d a y s, s h o w i n g t h e s e l f - c e r t i f i e d Tier of Operation an d w he t he r t h e d ri v e r h a s fi l e d a n y r e q u ir e d F e d M e d C a r d o r m ed i c a l v a ri a n c e .
    The Department will “downgrade” the CDL of any commercial driver w ho : 1 ) S e l f - c e r t i f i e s h i m s e l f o r he r s e l f a s a T i e r 1 d ri v e r a n d d o e s n o t p r o v i d e a v a li d F ed M e d C a r d ; o r 2 ) I s a T i e r 1 d ri v e r w ho se F e d M e d C a r d is expired , o r i s r e mo v e d o r r e sc i n d e d b y FMC SA. F e de r a l r e g u l a t i o n s r e q u i r e d o w n g r ad i n g f o r t h e s e r ea s o n s. T h e Department w il l do w n g r a d e th e C D L b y r e m o v i n g t h e C D L p ri v il e g e f r o m th e ho l d e r’ s d ri v e r’ s li c e n s e , a n d t h e d ri v e r c an n o t d ri v e c o m me r c i a l m o t o r v eh i c l e s a g a i n u n t i l h e o r s h e c e r t i f i e s a t i e r o f d ri v i n g o t he r t ha n T i e r 1 , o r s ub m i t s a v a l i d F ed M e d C a r d o r m ed i c a l v a ri a n c e . T h e d ri v e r ma y r e i n s t at e t h e CD L p ri v il e g e w i t ho u t a dd i t i on a l t e s t i n g b y c o r r e c t i n g t h e c au se f o r th e do w n g r a d e .
    T h e D e p a r t m e n t w il l n o t i fy c o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r s b y ma i l o r an o t he r m e t h o d , an d n o t i fy e n r o ll e d e m p l o y e r s t h r o u g h E m p l o y e r N o t i f y , at least 5 5 d a y s be f o r e a F ed M e d C a r d f il e d w i th t h e Department e x p ir e s, u p o n e x p ir at i o n o f th a t F ed M e d C a rd , a n d i mm ed i a t e l y up o n d o w n g r a d e .
    Dri v e r s w il l b e a b l e to u s e t h e o n li n e ap p li c a t i o n a n d e m p l o y e r s w h o h a v e s i g n e d u p t o u se E mp l o y e r N o t i fy w il l b e a b l e t o u s e E m p l o y e r N o t i fy – t o v e r i f y : do w n g r a d e o r r e i n s t a te m e n t o f c o m me r c i a l p r iv il e g e s; t i e r o f op e r a t i o n ; an d , f o r T i e r 1 d ri v e r s, th e e x p i r a t i o n da te o f F e d M e d C a r d s.
    Fr a ud u l e n t F ed M e d C a r d s w h et he r p r e s e n t e d on l i n e , i n a D M V f i e l d s t a t i o n , o r a t a s a f e ty a n d w e i g h t e n f o r c e m e n t f a c ili ty o pe r a te d b y t h e Di v i s i o n o f S tat e P a t r o l s c a l e w il l b e c o n s i de r e d a f a l s e a pp l i c a t i o n a n d t r e a t e d a c c o r d i n g l y .
    I f f u t u r e f e d e r a l r u l e - m a k i n g p r o v i de s F e d M e d i n f o r m a t i o n d i r e c t l y to s t a t e s, t he n c o m me r c i a l d r i v e r s a r e r e q u i r e d to c e r t i fy o n l y t he i r Tier of Operation , b u t n o t n e c e s s a ril y p r o v i d e a c op y o f a c u r r e n t F e d M e d C a r d t o t h e Department .
    Summ a r y o f , a nd pr e l i min a ry c ompari s on w ith, ex i s ting or prop o se d fed e r a l r e gul a tio n : T h is rul e - ma king i mp l e m e n ts t h e f i n a l f e de ral re g u la t io n s c on c e rnin g , M ed ical Certi f ica t i o n Re q u i rem en ts a s pa rt o f t h e C DL” a t 7 3 FR 73 0 9 6 ( D e c. 1 , 2008 ). T h e rule ma king is in ten de d to en s u re W is c on s i n ’s c o n f o r m ity w ith f ede ral re g u la t i o n s in 4 9 C F R P a rt 38 3 a n d 391 , re q u i r ing d r i v e rs o f c o m me rc i a l m o t o r v eh ic l e s to c e rt i f y t he i r t y p e o f d r i v ing to t h e D e p a rt m en t a n d s u bm it a c o p y o f t he ir f ede ral m e d ical c e rt i f i c a te t o t h e D epa r t m e n t. All s t a t e s a re re q u i r e d to c o mp ly w i th t he se re g u la t io n s .
    Co m p a r i s o n w i t h R u l e s i n th e Fo l l o w i n g S t a t e s : T h e f o u r s ta t e s b o r d e r i n g W isc o n s i n a l l h a v e r e q u ir e m e n t s i n p l a c e s i m i l a r t o th o s e p r o p o s e d in this rule . S pe c i f i c a ll y , a l l f o u r s t a t e s : r e q u i r e a l l CD L ho l d e r s t o c e r t i f y t he i r c o mm e r c i a l d r iv i n g a s one of four t y p e s s p e c i f i e d i n f e de r a l l a w ; r e q u ir e t h o s e d r i v e r s c e r t i f y i n g t h e i r d ri vi n g a s n o n - e xc e p t e d i n t e r s ta t e t o p r o v i d e a n d ma i n t a i n o n f i l e w i t h t h e s t a t e d ri v e r li c en s i n g a u t h o r i t y a v a li d f e de r a l m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t i o n o r m e d i c a l v a ri a n c e ; do w n g r a de a C D L b y r e mo v i n g a l l c o m me r c i a l d ri v i n g p r iv il e g es , f o r a l l c o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r s t h a t d o n o t c o m p l e t e th e s e l f - c e r t i f i c a t i o n o r d o n o t p r o v i d e t h e f ed e r a l m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e ; an d r e i n s t a t e t h e d o w n g r a d e d d ri v e r t h a t s e l f - c e r t i f i e s a d ri v i n g t y p e o t h e r t h a n n o n - e x c e pt e d i n t e r s ta t e , o r p r o v i de s a f e de r a l m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t i o n o r m e d i c a l v a ri a n c e . I o w a a l on e a ll o w s a g r a c e p e ri o d o f 6 0 d a y s a ft e r f ed e r a l l y r e q u ir e d d e a d l i n e s be f o r e d o w n g r ad i n g a CD L f o r no n c o m p l i a n c e .
    Il l i n o i s . I lli n o i s ad m i n i s t r a t i v e c o d e r e q u i r e s a l l CD L h o l de r s o n o r a f t e r J a n u a r y 3 0 , 2012 , t o s e l f - c e r t i fy o n e o f f ou r t y p e s o f d ri v i n g be f o r e J an ua r y 3 0 , 2 01 4 . F a i l u r e t o s e l f - c e r t i fy w il l r e s u l t i n c a n c e ll a t i o n o f t h e CD L p ri v il e ge s. Dri v e r s w h o c e r t i fy t h e i r d ri v i n g a s n o n - e x c e p t e d i n t e r s t a t e d r i v i n g mu s t s ub m i t an d m a i n t a i n o n f i l e a m e d i c a l e x a m i ne r s c e r t i f i c a t e a nd , i f a p p r o p ri a t e , a m ed i c a l v a ri an c e i ss ue d b y t h e fe d e r a l m o t o r c a rr i e r s a f e t y a d m i n i s t r a t i o n (FMC S A ) . T h e r e mo v a l o f p ri v il e g e s r e ma i n s i n e ff e c t u n t i l t h e d ri v e r p r o v i d e s v a l i d f e d e r a l m ed i c a l c e r t i fi c a t i o n o r m ed i c a l v a r i an c e , o r c e r t i f i e s th a t th e d ri v e r i s n o t en g a g e d i n n on - e x c e p t e d i n t e r s t at e d ri v i ng . T h e s e p r o v i s i o n s o f I lli n o i s l a w a r e f o un d a t 9 2 I ll . Ad m i n . C o d e 1 0 3 0 .2 2 .
    I o w a . I o w a re q u i r e s a ll C D L ho ld e rs to s e l f - c e rt i f y t h e t y p e o f c o m me rc i a l d r i v ing a s on e o f f o u r t y pe s, no t l a t e r t h a n J a nua ry 30 , 2 01 4 . D r i v e rs w h o c e rt i f y t he ir o p e rati o n s a s non - e x c ep t e d in t e rsta t e mu s t p ro v ide t h e Department of Transportation a v a l i d f ede r a l med i c a l e x am in e r s c e rt i f ica t e . I o w a law p rev en ts t h e l i c en sing o f a n y app l i c an t f o r initi a l o r re ne w a l o f a C D L who doe s n o t s e l f - c e rt i f y t he ir d r i v ing o r doe s no t p ro v ide a f e de ral med i c a l c e rt i f ic a t e . I o w a l a w re q u i r e s t h e do w n g ra d e o f a n y d r i v e r c e rt i f ied a s no n - e x c ep t ed . I o w a d e e m s a C D L e x p i r e d up o n t h e e x p i r a ti o n o f a f e de ral m ed ical c e rt i f ic a t e , a n d 6 0 da y s t he re a f te r w i l l en tirely re m o v e t h e c o m me r cial d r i ving p r i v i le g e s if t h e d r i v e r doe s no t p ro v ide a n u p da t e d f e de ral m ed ical c e rt i f ic a te o r s e l f - c e rt i f ies a t y p e o f d r i v ing o t he r t h a n n o n - e x c ep t e d in te r st a t e . S i m i l a r l y , I o w a doe s n o t remo v e t h e d r i v i n g p r i v i l e g e s f rom a d r i v e r w h o f a i l s to m a ke t h a t s e l f - c e rt i f ic a ti o n u n til 6 0 d a y s a f t e r t ha t d e a d l i ne . D r i v e rs who a re do w n g ra de d ma y reinst a te a C D L b y p roviding a v a l i d f ede ral m e d ical c e rt i fic a ti o n o r med ical v a r i an c e , o r b y s e l f - c e rt i f y ing a s d r i v i n g s om e t h ing o t he r t h a n no n - e x c ep t e d i n t e rst at e . T h e se p ro v is i on s o f I o w a law a re f o u n d a t I o w a A dm i n . Co d e 76 1 -6 07 . 50 (3 2 1 ), a n d I o w a St a t u t e a t 3 2 1 . 1 8 2 a n d I o w a Co d e S upp l e m en t a t 32 1 . 1 8 8 a n d 3 21 . 20 7 .
    M i c hig a n. M ichi g a n r e q u i r e s a ll C D L ho ld e rs to d e clare o n e o f fou r ty pe s o f d r i v in g , an d re q u i r e s d r i v e r s w h o c e rt i f y t h e ir d r i v ing a s “n o n - e x c ep t e d i n t e rst at e to p ro v ide a v a l i d f ede ral m ed ical e x a m in e r s c e rt i f ica t e . M ichi g a n w i ll re m o v e a ll c om m e rc i a l d r i v i n g p r i v i le g e s f r o m t h e d r i v e r l i c en se i f a d r i v e r f a i l s to c e rt i f y t h e t y p e o f d r i v ing o r f a i l s t o p ro v ide an d m a in ta i n a v a l i d m e d ical e x am i ne r s c e rt i f ica t e. Alt h o u g h t h e De pa r t men t w a s un a b le to f i n d M ichi g a n st a t u t e s o r a d m inistr a ti v e c od e p ro v is i o n s relat e d to t h is, t h e M i c h i g a n S e cr e t a ry o f S t a t e ’s w eb site incl u d e s FA Q s t h a t d e scr i b e t h e p roc e ss s u m ma r i z e d a bo v e , a t : h t t p : / /ww w . m ichi g an . g o v /s o s under the h e ad ing Com me rc i a l D r i v e rs - S e lf a n d M ed ical Cert i f ica t i o n ”. Acc o rding to t h e M ic h i g a n S e cret a ry o f St a t e w eb sit e , Y o u w i l l l o se y ou r p r i v i l e g e to ope ra t e a C M V if y o u f a il to p ro v ide a s e l f - c e rt i f ica t i o n to t h e S e cre t a ry o f St a t e 's O f f i c e b e f o re y ou r C D L e x p i r e s o r b y J a n ua ry 30 , 20 1 4 , w h ich e v e r da te c ome s f i r st . a n d I f y o u s e l f - c e rt i f y a s a n o n - e x c ep t e d in te rs t a te d r i v e r, y o u mu st p re s en t a c o mp le t e d an d si g ne d M ed ical E x am in e r ' s Certi f ica t e , w h ich is a lso k no w n a s a D OT M ed ical C a rd, t o t h e S e cre t a ry o f St a t e t o c o n ti nu e y ou r C DL a pp l i c a ti o n .”
    M inn es o t a . M in n e s o t a st a t u t e s re q u i r e C D L app l i c a n ts t o s e l f - c e rt i fy on e o f f o u r t y pe s o f d r i v ing and , if re q u i r e d b y f e d e ral law ( i . e . c e rt i f ies a s a n o n - e x e mp t in t e rsta t e d r i v e r) to p ro v i d e an d m a in t a in w ith t h e d r i v e r l i c en sing a u t ho r i ty a v a l i d f e de ral m e d ical e x am in e r s c e rt i f ica t e . M in ne s o t a do w n g ra d e s t h e c om me rc i a l d r i v i n g p r i vi l e g e s o f an y d r i v e r w h o ha s c e rt i f i e d h i m s e l f o r h e rse l f a s be ing re q u i r e d b y f e d e ral law to p ro v ide a f ede r a l med i c a l e x am in e r s c e rt i f ic a t e , u n le s s w i t h in 3 0 da y s f o l l o w i n g w r itt e n no tice t o t h e d r i v e r t ha t t h e me d ical e x am in e r s c e rt i f i c a te is e x p i r ed , t h e d r i v e r s e l f - c e rt i f ies a s no t en g a g e d in n o n - e x em p t in te rsta t e d r i v in g , o r p rovid e s t h e re q u i r e d a f e d e r a l med i c a l e x am in e r s c e rt i f ica t e o r m e d ical w a i v e r. M i nne s o ta a cc o mp l i s he s t h e d o w n g ra d e b y re m o v ing t h e c o m me r cial d r i v ing p r i vi l e g e s f r o m t h e pe r s on ’s d r i v e r l i c en s e . Th e s e p ro v is i on s a re f o u n d a t M in ne s o ta St a t u t e s A nn o t. 1 71 . 16 2 . M i n ne s o t a a dm inistr a ti v e rules a l l o w a do w n g ra d e d C D L d r i v e r to reinst a t e c om me r cial d r i v ing p r i vi l e g e s w it h in on e y ea r o r less b y s ubm itti n g a v a l i d f e d e ral med ical c e rt i f ica t e o r b y s e l f - c e rt i f y ing a s d r i v i n g in s ome t h ing o t he r t h a n n o n - e x c ep t e d in te rs t a te d r i v i n g . Ho w e v e r, i f t h e c o m me rc i a l d r i v ing p r i v i l e g e s a re d o w n g ra de d f o r mo re t h a n on e y ea r t h e C D L d r i v e r mu st a pp ly a s a ne w C D L app l i c an t an d r et a ke t h e k no w le d g e a n d d r i v ing ski l ls t e st s . T h e se p ro v is i on s a re f ou n d a t M i nne s o ta A d m in. C o d e 7 4 21 . 08 0 0 .
    S u m m a r y o f f ac tu al d a t a a n d a n a l y t i ca l m e tho d o l o g i e s u s e d a n d h o w t h e r e l a t e d f i n d i n g s s u p po r t th e r e gu l a to r y a pp r o a c h c h o se n : W isco ns in c on si d e r e d s e v e ral op ti on s f o r i mp l e m e n ti n g t h is f e d e ral rul e : re q u i r e a ll c o m me rc i a l d r i v e r s , re g a rdless o f t h e ir Tier of Operation , to k ee p a c u r r en t F e d M e d Ca r d o n rec o r d w ith t h e D e p a rt m ent ; re q u i r e t h a t c e rt i f ica t i o n o r p ro v is i o n o f F e d M e d Car d s c ou ld o n ly b e do n e in D M V s e r v ice c en t e r s , o r on ly on l i n e ; re q u i re do w n g ra de d d r i v e rs to a p pea r a t DMV s e r v ice c en t e rs to rein s t a t e o r re pe a t s o m e o r a ll o f t h e C D L l i c en sing p roc e s s . T h e c u r r e n t app r o a ch w a s s e lec t e d be c au se it is t h e m o st f le x ible an d d r i v e r - f r i end l y , y e t still mee t s t h e l e t te r a n d s p i r it o f t h e f ede ral re q u i re m e n t s.
    A n a l y s i s a n d s uppo r t i n g do c u m e nt a t i o n u s e d t o d e t e rm i n e e ff ec t o n s m al l bu s i n e s ses : T h i s r u l e - m a k i n g w il l ha v e a m i n o r f is c a l i m pa c t o n i n de p en d e n t t r u c k e r s a n d s m a l l t r u ck i n g c o m p a n i e s . T h e n e w bu r d e n s p l a c e d o n d ri v e r s i n c l ud e ha v i n g t o d e c l a r e a t y p e o f o pe r a t i o n t o t h e D ep a r t m e n t a n d , f o r d r iv e r s t h a t d e c l a r e t h e m s e l v e s t o b e e n g a ge d i n n o n - e x c e pt e d i n t e r s t a t e t r a v e l , t o f i l e a n d m a i n t a i n a F ed M e d C a r d w i t h t h e D e p a r t m e n t . FMC S A e s t i m a t e s th a t 74 % o f a l l C D L h o l d e r s a r e e n g a ge d i n n o n - e x c e p t e d i n t e r s t at e c o m me r c e . N e i t h e r t h e f e d e r a l r e g u l a t i o n s no r t h i s r u l e m a k i n g c h ang e t h e r e q u i r e m en t s t h a t d ri v e r s e n g a ge d i n n o n - e x c e p t e d i n t e r s t a t e c o mm e r c e m a i n t a i n a F ed M e d C a r d o n t h e i r p e r s o n w h e n d ri v i n g a C M V i n i n t e r s t a t e c o m me r c e , s o t h e b u r d e n o f t h i s r u l e i s l a r g e l y a r e p o r t i n g b u r d e n . H o w e v e r , t h i s r u l e w il l s i mp l i fy t h e p r o c e s s o f d ri v e r s p r o v i d i n g p r oo f o f a F e d M e d C a r d , a s t h e f e de r a l r e g u l a t i o n s w il l ma k e t h i s i n f o rm a t i o n a v a il a b l e t o a l l e m p l o y e r s , d ri v e r s a n d s t at e s t h r o u g h a n a t i o n a l d a ta b a s e , CD L I S . T h e D e p a r t m e n t h a s m i n i m i z e d t h e d ri v e r’ s c o mp l i a n c e c o s t s i n a v a ri e t y o f w a y s .
    E ff e c t o n s m a l l bu s i n e s s : T h e D e p a r t m e n t h a s a t te m p t e d t o i d e n t i f y f l e x i b l e an d b u s i n e ss - f ri en d l y m e t h o d s o f i m p l e m e n t i n g a n d en f o r c i n g t h i s r u l e , an d h a s i n c l u d e d the m i n t h i s r u le . T h e D e p a r t m e n t e x p e ct s th e l on g - t e r m e ff e c t o n s ma l l b u s i n e s s t o b e r e l a t i v e l y m i no r . T h e r e q u i r e m en t s o f s e l f - c e r t i f y i n g a CD L d ri v e r’ s Tier of Operation , a n d o f T i e r 1 d ri v e r s m a i nt a i n i n g v a li d F e d M e d C a r d s w i t h t h e Department , w il l b e j o i n tl y e n f o r c e d b y t h e Di v i s i o n o f S ta t e Pa t r o l ( t h r o u g h i mp l e m e nt a t i o n o f th e f e d e r a l m o t o r c a rr i e r s s a f e t y r e g u l a t i on s ) a n d b y DM V . C o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r s a n d t r u ck i n g c o m p a n i e s w il l nee d t o en s u r e t h a t t he y an d th e i r d ri v e r s ha v e c e r t i f i e d th e i r Tier of Operation , a n d t h a t Ti e r 1 d ri v e r s ha v e a c u r r e n t F e d M e d C a r d o n f i l e w i t h t h e D ep a r t m e n t . F e d M e d r e q u ir e m e n t s r e m a i n u n c h an g e d . T h e r e i s n o f e e to : 1) c e r t i fy a Tier of Operation ; 2) c h an g e a c e r t i f i c a t i o n a t an y t im e t o a n o th e r Tier of Operation ; 3) p r o v i d e a F e d M e d C a r d ; 4) v e r i fy o n e s o w n Tier of Operation o r t h e e x p i r a t i o n o f a F ed M e d C a rd ; o r 5) r e i n s ta t e a CD L a ft e r be i n g do w n g r a d e d . E mp l o y e r s a n d d ri v e r s c a n c h e c k a d ri v e r’ s s ta t u s on l i n e o r t h r ou g h e mp l o y e r n o t i f i c a t i o n , f o r n o c h a r g e . B o t h d r i v e r s a n d e m p l o y e r s a r e n o t i f i e d 6 0 da y s b e f o r e e x p ir a t i o n o f a F ed M e d C a r d, u po n e x p ir a t i o n a n d , i f t h e d ri v e r d o e s n o t p r o v i d e a ne w , v a l i d F ed M e d c a r d o r de c l a r e a t i e r o f d ri v i n g o t he r t h a n n o n - e x c e p t e d i n t e r s t a t e , u po n do w n g r a d e . T h e D ep a r t m e n t h a s b ee n p r o v i d i n g o u t r e a c h t o i nd i v i dua l d ri v e r s a n d t o t r u c k i n g c o m p a n i e s t o i n f o r m t he m o f t h e s e ne w r e q u ir e m e n ts , an d w il l c o n t i n u e t o d o s o.
    F i sc a l e ff e c t : T h i s r u l e i m po s e s c o s t s i n two w a y s . F ir st , a p p li c a n t s f o r a C D L a r e no w r e q u i r e d t o s e l f - c e r t i fy t h e t y p e o f d ri vi n g i n w h i c h t h e y i n t e n d t o en g a g e . T h e D ep a r t m e n t e s t i m a t e s t h a t t h i s p a r t o f t h e a p p li c a t i o n p r o c e s s c a n b e c o mp l e t e d i n l e s s t h a n one m i n u t e .
    N e x t , d ri v e r s w h o c e r t i f y t h a t t h e y e n g a g e i n n o n - e xc e p t e d i n t e r s t at e c o m me r c e w il l b e r e q u ir e d t o f il e p r oo f o f t h e i r F e d M e d C a r d w i t h t h e D ep a r t m e n t , an d t o r e f i l e p r o o f a t l e a s t o n c e e v e r y two y ea r s w he n t h e F ed M e d c a r d e x p ir e s. T h e D e p a r t m e n t be l i e v e s t h i s c a n b e d on e i n c on j u n ct i o n w i t h t h e s e l f - c e r t i f i c a t i o n p r o c e s s , o r s e pa r a t e l y , i n n o m o r e t h a n five m i n u t e s pe r d ri v e r .
    The Department has implemented the provisions of this rule since February 16, 2014, so all CDL holders have already made the certifications required under this rule and filed FedMed Cards as required, or have been downgraded. I n D e c e m be r 2 0 1 2 , t h e r e w e r e 2 9 9 ,2 2 1 C D L s i ss u e d b y t h i s s t a t e , o f w h i c h 2 35 , 8 0 8 w e r e v a li d a n d 6 3 , 4 1 3 w e r e w i t hd r a w n o r e x p ir e d . As s u mi n g f o r p u r p o s e s o f e st i m a t i n g th e g r ea t e s t i m p a c t th a t ea c h o f 2 9 9 , 22 1 C D L h o l de r s w il l c o mp l y , a n d th a t e a c h d ri v e r s p e n d s five m i n u t e s c o m p l y i n g w i t h t h e s e l f - c e r t i f i c a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h i s r u l e , t h e a gg r e g a t e c o mp l i a n c e t i m e was 24 , 9 3 5 h ou r s . C D L s a r e v a l i d f o r eight y e a r s , s o a s s u m i n g a n e v e n r a t e o f C D L i s s u a n c e a n d r en e w a l s , t h e a gg r e g a t e c o mp l i a n c e t i m e ma y b e 3 , 1 1 6 h ou r s pe r y ea r s t a t e w i d e . F M C S A e st i m a t e s t h a t 7 4 % o f CD L ho l d e r s e n g a g e i n no n - e x c ep t e d i n t e r s ta t e c o mm e r c e [ S e e , 7 1 F R 6 67 4 3 ( N o v 1 6 , 2 0 0 6 ) ] . I f t h a t i s c o rr e c t , a s m an y a s 2 2 1 ,4 2 3 d ri v e r s w il l a l s o b e r e q u i r e d t o f i l e F e d M e d C a r d s w i t h t h e D e p a r t m e n t . I f c o mp l i a n c e t a k e s five m i n u t e s t o f il e a F e d M e d C a r d , th e a gg r e g a t e t i m e s p e n t o n i n i t i a l c o mp l i a n c e m a y b e 18 , 4 5 1 h o u r s . T h e F e d M e d Card is g ene ral l y v a l i d f o r two y ea rs, bu t d r i v e rs w ith s pe c i f ic med i c a l c o nd iti o n s m a y re q u i r e mo re f re q uen t med ical f it n e ss c e rt i f ic a ti o n ( f o r e x a m p le, a Fe d Me d Card f o r a d r i v e r w ith t h e f o l l o w i n g d ia g no s e s is v a l i d f o r on e y ea r: h i g h b lo o d p res s u re, hea rt d ise a s e , d i a be t e s a n d v is i o n e x emp ti o n o r w a i v e r p ro g ra m s). Ass um ing t h a t e a ch F ed M e d C a r d i s v a l i d f o r two y ea r s , t h e a gg r e g a t e a nn ua l t i m e s p e n t o n co mp l i a n c e ma y b e 9 ,22 6 h o u r s . T a k e n t o g e t h e r , t h e a gg r e ga t e t i m e s p e n t t o s e l f - c e r t i fy ( 3, 1 1 6 h o u r s ) a n d f i l e F e d M e d C a r d s ( 9, 2 2 6 h o u r s ) c o u l d b e 1 2 , 34 2 h o u r s a n nu a ll y .
    T h i s r u l e r e q u i r e s t h e D e p a r t m e n t t o e n t e r th e s e l f - c e r t i f i c a t i o n o n t h e C D L I S d ri v i n g r e c o r d o f e a c h d ri v e r . I f e a c h r e c o r d e n t r y c a n b e c o m p l e t e d i n two m i n ut e s , t h e a gg r e g a t e t i m e t o e n t e r ma y b e 1 , 2 4 6 ho u r s , o r 0 . 6 F T E . T h i s f i g u r e a ss u m e s o n l y o n e e n t r y pe r d ri v e r e v e r y eight y ea r s , w h i c h w il l i n c r e a s e i f d ri v e r s c h a n g e t he i r s e l f - c e r t i f i e d t y p e o f d ri v i n g du r i n g t h e eight - y ea r C D L du r a t i o n .
    T h e r u l e a l s o r e q u ir e s t h e D ep a r t m e n t t o r e c o r d o n t h e C D L I S d ri v i n g record e a c h F ed M e d C a r d i t r e c e i v e s . I f e a c h r e c o r d e n t r y c a n b e c o m p l e t e d i n two m i n u t e s , th e a gg r e ga t e t i m e t o c o mp l e t e t h o s e e n t r i e s i s 7 , 9 7 7 h ou r s e v e r y t w o y ea r s , o r 3 , 9 8 9 ho u r s pe r y ea r , o r 1 . 9 FT E .
    I n a ll , i t a p p ea r s t h e D ep a r t m e n t w il l r e q u ir e 2 . 5 F T E an n u a ll y t o c o m p l e t e t h e w o r k r e q u ir e d b y t h i s r u l e . T h e D e pa r t m e n t w il l i n c u r o n g o i n g c o st s t o p r o v i d e w ri tt e n n o t i c e s t o d ri v e r s t h a t : 1 ) a F ed M e d c a r d w il l e x p i r e w i t h i n 6 0 da y s ; 2 ) t h a t a F ed M e d C a r d h a s e x p ir e d ; a n d 3 ) t h a t a CD L i s d o w n g r a de d . I t i s un k n o w n h o w m an y o f t h e e s t i m a t e d 2 3 9 , 3 3 6 no n - e x c ep t e d i n t e r s ta t e d ri v e r s w il l r eq u ir e these n o t i c e s f r o m t h e D e p a r t m e nt , bu t th e s e n o t i c e s c o u l d b e r e q u ir e d f o r e a c h d ri v e r e v e r y two y ea r s t o c o i n c i d e w i t h t h e v a l i d p e r i o d o f a F e d M e d C a r d . I f 10 % o f a l l e s t i m a t e d 2 2 1 ,4 2 3 d ri v e r s r e q u ir e d t o f i l e F ed M e d C a r d s r e q u ir e a l l three n o t i c e s e v e r y two y ea r s th e D e p a r t m e n t w il l ma i l 3 3 ,2 1 3 n o t i c e s pe r y ea r a s r e s u l t o f t h i s r u l e . I f ha l f o f t h o s e d ri v e r s h a v e e m p l o y e r s o n f i l e , m a ili n g t ho s e n o t i c e s t o e m p l o y e r s w il l r e q u ir e a n a d d i t i o na l 16 , 6 0 6 ma i l e d n o t i c e s .
    On M a rch 1 1 , 2 0 1 4 , t h e D epa r t m e n t s o l i cit e d i n f o r ma ti o n an d a d v i c e a s re q u i r e d un d e r s. 227 . 13 7 , St a t s ., a n d E x e c u ti v e Ord e r #50 , to he l p p re pa re t h i s e c on o m ic i m p a ct ana l y sis. The D e pa r t m en t ha s s o l i cit e d i n f o r ma ti o n an d ad v ice f r o m six in d i v id ua ls w h o ho ld C D L ’s, f r o m a ro u n d t h e st a t e a n d en gag e d in bo th i n t e rsta t e an d in t ra s t a t e d r i v ing ope ra t i on s, a n d f r o m a ll me m be rs o f t h e Department ’s st a nd ing M o t o r Car r ier A d v iso r y Com m itt e e . The mo t o r c a r r ier ad v iso r y c omm itt e e c on sists o f six m em b e rs, incl ud in g : three trucking c omp a n y re p res en t a ti v e s; on e re p r e s en t a ti v e o f a c o r p o r a ti o n s pe ciali z ing in mo t o r ca r r ier d r i v e r a n d f le e t ma n a g e m en t a n d re g u la t o ry c omp l ia n c e ; on e citi z en ; a n d t h e W i sc on s i n M o t o r Car r iers Ass o cia t io n , a n o n - p r o f it tra d e a s s o cia t ion re p re s en ti n g t h e i n t e rests o f truck a n d mo t o r c oa c h o w ne rs w it h in t h e st a te o f W i sc on sin, an d ha v ing 1 , 0 5 0 m e m b e rs ra n g i n g f r o m i n de p e n den t c o n tract o rs w ith o n e tru c k to c o m p a n ies w ith t hou s and s o f trucks, an d a f f i l i a t e d w ith t h e A me r i c a n T rucking Ass o cia t io n s ( A T A) in W a s h i n g t on . T h e c om me n t pe r i o d r e ma in ed o pe n u n til A p r i l 5 , 2014 , and t h e D e p a rt m e n t re c e i v e d n o c o m m en ts res po n d ing to t h e s o l i cit a ti on . In a d d i t io n , t h e D e pa r t me n t p r omu l g a t e d E me r g en cy Rule T ra n s 3 2 7 ( EmR1404 ) o n Fe b ru a ry 16 , 201 4 , t h a t i mp leme n ts a ll o f t h e re q u i r emen ts o f t h is p ro po s e d rule m a kin g , an d re c e i v e d n o c o m m e n ts in re s p o n se t o t h a t e me r g en cy rul e . The D epartment promulgated E me r g en cy Rule T ra n s . 3 2 7 ( EmR1426 ) o n December 4, 2014, which i mp leme n ts a ll o f t h e re q u i r emen ts o f t h is p ro po s e d rule m a kin g , an d re c e i v e d n o c o m m e n ts in re s p o n se t o t h a t e me r g en cy rul e , which remains in effect until July 1 , 2015.
    A n t i c i p a t e d c o s t s i n c u rr e d by p r i v a t e s ec t or : S e e t h e d i s c u ss i o n a b o v e f o r th e a n t i c i p a t e d t i m e r e q u i r e d t o c o m p l y w i t h t h i s r u l e . T h e D e p a r t m e n t h a s i de n t i f i e d f l e x i b l e a n d b u s i ne s s - f r i e n d l y m e t h o d s o f i m p l e m e n t i n g a n d e n f o r c i n g t h i s r u l e . A s w i t h s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s , t h e D ep a r t m e n t e x p e c t s c o m p l i a n c e w i t h t h i s r u l e t o ta k e n o mo r e th a n ten m i n u t e s p e r d ri v e r , a t n o c h a r g e b y t h e D e pa r t m e n t , s o o v e r a l l c o s t s i n c u rr e d b y t h e p ri v a t e s e c t o r a r e b e li e v e d t o b e m i n i ma l p e r d r iv e r , a n d a r e t h e c on s e qu e n c e o f f e d e r a l r e g u l a t i on s . A l l c o m m e r c i a l d r i v e r s an d t r u ck i n g c o m pa n i e s w il l n ee d t o en s u r e t ha t t h e y a n d t h e i r d ri v e r s ha v e c e r t i f i e d t h e i r Tiers of Operation a n d t h a t T i e r 1 d ri v e r s ha v e a c u r r e n t F ed M e d C a r d o n f i l e w i t h th e D e p a r t m e n t . F ed M e d C a r d r e q u ir e m e n t s r e ma i n u n c h a n ged . T he r e i s n o c ha r g e b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t t o a d ri v e r t o c e r t i fy a Tier of Operation , t o c ha n g e o n e s Tier of Operation a t a n y t im e , t o p r o v i d e a F ed M e d C a r d , t o v e ri fy a Tier of Operation o r th e e x p ir a t i o n o f a F ed M e d C a r d , o r t o r e i n st a t e a C D L a f t e r b e i n g d o w n g r a d e d . Dri v e r s a n d e m p l o y e r s c a n v e r i fy a d ri v e r’ s s t a t u s o n l i n e o r t h r o u g h e mp l o y e r n o t i f i c a t i o n, f r e e o f c h a r g e . Bo t h d ri v e r s a n d em p l o y e r s a r e n o t i f i e d 6 0 d a y s b e f o r e e x p i r a t i o n , u p o n e x p i r a t i o n a n d up o n do w n g r a d e . T h e D e p a r t m e n t i s a l s o pro v i d i n g o u t r e a c h t o i nd i v i d u a l d ri v e r s an d t o t r u ck i n g c o m pa n i e s .
    A g e n c y C ont ac t P e r s o n :
    Steven K Pazynski
    B u r e a u o f Dri v e r S e r v i c e s S e ct i o n , Di v i s i o n o f M o t o r V e h i c l e s
    W isc o n s i n D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s po r t a t i o n
    4 80 2 S h e b o y g a n A v en u e , R o o m 8 0 9
    P.O. B o x 79 9 5
    M ad i s o n , W I 5 3 70 7 - 79 9 5
    P h o ne : ( 6 0 8 ) 267-7452
    T EX T O F PERMANENT RU L E
    SE C T IO N 1 . T r a n s 3 2 7 . 1 4 i s c r e a t e d t o r e a d :
    T r a n s 32 7 . 1 4 M e d i c a l C e r t i f i c a t i o n R e q u i r e m e n t s a s P a r t o f th e Co mm e r c i a l D ri v e r L i c e n s e . ( 1 ) PU R P O S E. A s a u t h o ri z e d b y s s . 343.02(1) , 34 3 . 0 6 ( 3 ) a n d 3 43 . 0 6 5 ( 3 ) , S t a t s . , t h i s s e ct i o n establishes the process es f o r a CDL holder t o c e r t i fy t h e a p p r o p r i at e t y p e o f d ri v i n g i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h 4 9 CF R 3 8 3 . 7 1 ( 20 12 ) and t o p r o v i d e an y f e d e r a l m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e r e q u ir e d by 49 CFR 391.45 , a n d f o r th e de p a r t m e n t t o d o w n g r ad e t h e CD L o f an y pe r s o n w h o d o e s no t m a k e t h a t c e r t i f i c a t i o n o r w h o d o e s n o t p r o v i d e o r m a i n t a i n i n e ff e c t a m ed i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e as required by 49 CFR 383.73 . T h i s s e c t i o n a l s o e s t ab l i s he s t h e p r o c e s s f o r r e i n s t a t i n g a d o w n g r a d e d c o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r li c e n s e .
    ( 2 ) D E F INI T I O N S . I n t h i s s e ct i o n :
    ( a ) “CD L m e a n s a c o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r l i c e n s e .
    ( b ) “C o mm e r c i a l l e a r ne r’ s pe r m i t m e an s a p e r m i t i ss ue d t o a n i n d i v i d u a l b y t h i s s t at e o r o t he r j u ri s d i c t i o n th a t , w he n c a rri e d w i t h a v a li d d r iv e r’ s li c e n s e i s s u ed b y t h e s a m e j u r i s d i ct i o n , a u t ho ri z e s t h e i nd i v i du a l t o op e r a t e a c l a s s o f a c o mm e r c i a l m o t o r v eh i c l e w h e n a c c o m p a n i e d b y a h o l d e r o f a v a li d C D L f o r pu r p o s e s o f b e h i n d - t h e - w h e e l t r a i n i n g . W he n i s s u e d t o a C D L h o l d e r , a commercial learner’s permit s e r v e s a s a ut ho ri z a t i o n f o r a c c o m p an i e d b e h i n d - t h e - w h e e l t r a i n i n g i n a commercial motor vehicle f o r w h i c h t h e h o l de r’ s c u rr e n t C D L i s no t v a l i d .
    ( c ) “D o w n g r a de m e a n s t o r e m o v e a p e r s o n s p ri v il e g e t o o pe r a t e c o m me r c i a l m o t o r v e h i c l e s f r o m a pe r s o n s C D L b y i n d i c a t i n g o n t h e p e r s on s d ri v i n g r e c o r d th a t a l l c o m me r c i a l v eh i c l e c l a s s e s an d e nd o r s e m e n t s , o t h e r t h a n a n “H en d o r s e m e n t , a r e v o l u n t a ril y s u r r e nd e r e d . D o w n g r a d e w i t h r e s p e c t t o a n “H e nd o r s e m e n t m ea n s s u s p e n s i o n o f t h e “H e n d o r s e m e n t .
    (d ) “Driving record” means the record under s. 343.23 (2) (a) , Stats.
    ( e ) H e n do r s e m e n t m e a n s t h e h a z a r d o u s m a te ri a l s e n d o r s e m e n t d e s c ri b e d i n s . 3 4 3 .1 7 ( 3 ) ( d ) 1 m . , S t a t s .
    ( f ) “M ed i c a l c e r t i f i c at e m e a n s a c o m p l e t e d , u n e x p ir e d m e d i c a l e x am i n e r s c e r t i f i c a t e i s s u e d i n a c c o rd a n c e w i t h 4 9 CF R 3 9 1 .4 3 ( 20 12 ) , o n a f o r m a pp r o v e d b y th e d ep a r t m e n t , s t a t i n g t h a t t h e p e r s o n i s ph y s i c a l l y q ua l i f i e d u n d e r 4 9 C F R 3 9 1 . 4 1 ( 2 01 2 ) t o d ri v e a c o m me r c i a l m o t o r v e h i c l e , t o g e th e r w i t h a n y m e d i c a l v a ri a n c e described in 49 CFR 390.5 and r e q u ir e d u n d e r 4 9 CF R 38 3 . 7 3 ( o ) ( 20 12 ) .
    ( g ) T i e r 1 d ri v e r m e a n s a p e r s o n w h o c e r t i f i e s a s T i e r 1 u n de r s u b . ( 3 ) ( b ) 1 .
    ( 3 ) SEL F- C ER T I F I C A T I O N O F T H E T Y P E O F D R IVIN G T O BE D O N E . ( a ) A person applying for a CDL s h a l l c e r t i fy t o t h e d ep a r t m e n t the tier of o pe r a t i o n i n w h i c h h e o r s h e i n t e n d s t o e n g a ge. A pe rs o n ma y c han g e h is o r cert i f ica t i o n a t a n y t i me . T h e d ep a rt m e n t s ha ll den y a s inc o mp l e te a n app l i c a ti o n for any of the following t ha t is s ubm i t t e d w it hou t a c e rt i f ic a ti o n r e q u i r e d u n de r this subsection o r a re q u i r e d m e d ical c e rt i f ica t e :
    1 . A commercial learner’s permit.
    2 . A n i n i t i a l c o m me r c i a l d r i v e r’ s li c en s e .
    3 . A t r a n s f e r o f a c o m me r c i a l d ri v e r’ s li c en s e f r o m a n o t h e r j u ri s d i c t i o n t o t h i s s t a t e .
    4 . R e n e w a l o f a c o m m e r c i a l d ri v e r’ s l i c e n s e .
    5 . A li c e n s e u p g r a d e a u th o ri z i n g t h e o pe r a t i o n o f a v eh i c l e g r o u p n o t a ut ho ri z e d o n t h e p r i o r c o mm e r c i a l d ri v e r li c en s e o r a n e n d o r s e m e n t a u t ho ri z i n g t h e op e r a t i o n o f a c o m me r c i a l m o t o r v eh i c l e n o t c o v e r e d b y t h e c u rr e n t c o m me r c i a l d ri v e r’ s l i c e n s e .
    ( b ) A person may certify one of the f o ll o w i n g tiers o f o p e r a t i o n u n d e r t h i s s ub s e c t i on :
    1. Tier 1, or n on-excepted intersta t e . Tier 1, or non-excepted interstate , means the person operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce, is both subject to and meets the qualification requirements under 49 CFR part 391 (2012) , and is required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate by 49 CFR 391.45 (2012).
    2. Tier 2, or excepted interstate . Tier 2, or e xcepted interstate , means the person operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce, but engages exclusively in transportation or operations that are excepted by 49 CFR 390.3 (f), 391.2, 391.68, or 398.3 (2012) from all or parts of the qualification requirements of 49 CFR part 391 (2012) , and is therefore not required to obtain a medical examiner’s certificate by 49 CFR 391.45 (2012).
    3. Tier 3, or non-excepted intrastate . Tier 3, or n on-excepted intrastate , means the person operates only in intrastate commerce and therefore is subject only to s tate driver qualification requirements .
    4. Tier 4, or excepted intrastate . Tier 4, or e xcepted intrastate, means the person operates in intrastate commerce, but engages exclusively in transportation or operations exc epted from all or parts of the s tate driver qualification requirements.
    (4) MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS. (a) No pe rs o n m a y ope rate a c o m me rc i a l mo t o r v eh i cle in n o n - e x c ep t e d i n t e rstate o r f o rei g n c om me rce un less t h e pe rson is c e rt i f ied a s a T ier 1 d r i v e r , ha s p ro v id e d a m ed ical c e rt i f ic a te t o t h e d ep a rt m e n t, an d h a s v e r i f ied t ha t t h e d e p a rt m e n t h a s re c orded t h e c e rt i f ica t i o n and indicated the person’s status as “Certified” o n t h e p e rso n ’s d r i v i n g rec o rd .
    (b) A person who certifies himself or herself as a Tier 3 driver i s s ub j e c t t o st a t e d ri v e r q ua l i f i c a t i o n r e q u i r e m en t s a n d s h a l l p r o v i d e a m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e t o t h e de pa r t m e n t w h e n a pp l y i n g f o r i n i t i a l i s s u a n c e o r r e n e w a l o f a C D L an d m u s t p o s s e s s a m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e w h e n e v e r o p e r a t i n g a c o m m e r c i a l m o t o r v eh i c l e , b u t i s n o t r e q u i r e d t o m a i n t a i n a m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e o n f i l e w i t h t h e d e pa r t m en t.
    (c) A person who certifies himself or herself as Tier 4 driver i s s ub j e c t t o s ta t e d ri v e r q ua l i f i c a t i o n r e q u ir e m e n t s but i s n o t r e q u i r e d t o p r o v i d e a m e d i c a l c e r t i f i c a t e t o th e d ep a r t m e n t .
    (d) A CDL holder who obtained a medical certificate re q u i re d b y 4 9 C F R 383 . 7 1 (h) with a m ed ical v a r i an ce f r o m the federal motor carrier safety administration mu st ha v e in h is o r he r po s s e ssi o n a c o p y o f t ha t m e d ical v a r i an ce do c u m e n t a ti o n w he never o n - du t y .
    (5) DEPARTMENT RECORDS OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
    (a ) W it h in 1 0 da y s a f t e r r e c e i v ing a med i c a l c e rt i f ica t e f r o m a T i e r 1 d r i v e r the department shall re c ord t h e c e rt i f ica t i o n o n t h e p e rso n ’s d r i v i n g rec o rd and shall record the person’s status as “Certified”, together with a ll re q u i r e d i n f o r m a ti o n f r o m t h e m ed ical c e rt i f i c a te . The department shall then file the m e d ical c e rt i f i c a te o f a T ier 1 d r i v er and ret a in t h at med i c a l c e rt i f i c a t e f o r a t le a s t 3 y ea rs a f te r t h e d a te o f t h e m e d ical e x am in a ti o n .
    (b ) I f the federal motor carrier safety administration n o t i f ies t h e d e pa r t me n t t ha t a CDL holder ha s be e n iss u e d a med ical v a r i an c e , t h e de p a rt m en t s h a ll in d ica t e t h e e x ist en ce o f the m ed ical v a r i an ce o n t h e person’s driving record, on the commercial driver license information system a n d o n t h e C D L u sing t h e m ed ical v a r i an ce restr i cti o n c o d e “V”.
    (c ) O n ly t h e m e d ical c e rt i f ic a te relat i n g to t h e m o st rec e n t med i c a l e x am in a ti o n m a y b e c on sid e r e d u n e x p i r e d . The d e pa r t me n t s h a ll consider an y med ic a l c e rt i f ic a te rel a ti n g t o a n ea r l ier med i c a l e x a m in a ti o n t o b e e x p i r ed .
    (6) D O W N G RADE P R O CE S S . (a) N o t w it h st and ing T ra n s 112 . 1 6 (1) ( c) a n d T r a n s 327 . 0 9 (2) ( b ), t h e d epa r t m e n t s ha l l do w n g ra d e th e CDL o f a n y o f t h e f o l l o w in g :
    1 . A T ier 1 d r i v e r, upo n t h e e x p i r a ti o n o f h is o r he r m ed ical c e rt i f ica t e .
    2 . A T ier 1 d r i v e r, upon receiving notice that the federal motor carrier safety administration ha s re m o v e d o r rescinded a me d ical c e rt i f ic a te o r m ed ical v a r i an ce rela t ing t o t h e d r i v e r.
    3 . A n y pe rs o n w h o f a i l s t o s u b m it a n u p da t e d med i c a l c e rt i f ica t e o r to h a v e a c o r r e ct e d C DL issu e d w it h in 6 0 da y s a f t e r no t i f ic a ti o n u n de r su b . (8 ) ( a ) 4 .
    (b) I f t h e d e pa r t me n t do w n g ra de s a C D L , t h e d e pa r t me n t s h a ll d o a ll o f t h e f o l l o w in g :
    1 . R e c o rd t h e d o w n g ra d e o n t h e pe rs o n ’s d r i ving rec o rd. T h e de p a r t me n t ma y rec o rd a s v o lu n t a r i ly s u r r ende r e d an y c o m m e rc i a l v eh ic l e class e s o r e n do rs e m e n ts t h a t a re e x p i r e d o r a re a l r ead y s u s p e n d ed , re v o k ed , c an c e l l ed , d is q ua l i f ied o r o t he r w ise w it hd r a w n fo r a n o t h e r r ea s o n .
    2 . Rec o rd t h e p e rso n ’s med i c a l c e rt i f i c a ti o n s t a t u s a s N o t Cert i f i e d o n t h e commercial driver license information system , if t h e pe r s o n w a s last c e rt i f ied a s a T ier 1 d r i v e r.
    3 . No t i f y t h e p e rson a s p r o v id e d in s u b . (8 ).
    4 . Co m p l e te t h e a cti o n s re q u i r e d un d e r t h is p a ra g ra p h within 6 0 da y s a f t e r t h e e x p i r a ti o n o f t h e m e d ical c e rt i f i c a t e o r t h e de a d l i n e f o r p ro v idi n g a med ical c e rti f ic a t e . T h e de p a rt m en t s h a ll rec o rd t h e en try re q u i r e d unde r t h is s ubd i v is i o n w it h in 1 0 da y s a f t e r e x p i r a ti o n o f t h e me d i c a l c e rt i f ica t e or receiving notice that a medical certificate or medical variance is removed or rescinded .
    (c )1 . A do w n g ra d e does not a f fe ct t h e o pe r a ti n g p r i v i le g e s o f an y no n - c o m m e rc i a l v eh ic l e class i f ica t i o n s. A pe rson w ho se C D L i s do w n g ra de d un d e r t h is subsection ma y ret a in a n o p e rat o r s l i c en s e t ha t i n d ica te s c omm e rc i a l d r i v e r clas s e s an d en d o rs e me n t w it hou t ma king a n y ph y sical a lt e rat i on s t o t ha t o p e rat o r s lice n s e .
    2 . A do w n g ra d e un d e r t h i s s ub s e cti o n affecting an ‘H’ endorsement is considered suspension of that endorsement, not a voluntary surrender u nde r s. 343 . 2 6 5 (1r ) , St a ts. T h e de p a rt m en t ma y no t c an c e l a n “ H endo rseme n t u n de r s. 343 . 2 65 , S t a ts . , a s a res u lt o f a do w ng ra d e un d e r t h is s ub s e ct i on .
    (7 ) REINSTATEMENT. (a) A pe rs o n w ho se C D L is do w n g ra de d ma y reinst a te h is o r he r C D L a t an y ti m e p r i o r to t h e C D L e x p i r a ti o n da te b y ma k i n g t h e c e rt i f ic a ti o n re q u i r e d un d e r su b . (3), o r, i f r e q u i r ed , p ro v idi n g a m e d ical c e rt i f ica t i o n , o r b o t h , o r b y c han g ing h is o r he r c e rt i f ic a ti o n to s o me t h ing o t he r t ha n a T ier 1 d r i v e r.
    (b ) Rei n st a ti n g a C D L t h a t is do w n g ra de d h a s n o e f f e ct o n a n y s u s p e n sio n , r e v o c a ti o n , c an c e l l a ti on , d is q ua l i fic a ti o n o r w it hd ra w a l f o r a no t he r r ea s on .
    (c ) T h e d e pa r t me n t ma y n o t c ha r g e a f e e to rei n st a te a C D L t ha t is d o w ng ra de d, b u t ma y c ha r g e a f e e to r e in s t a te a C D L t ha t i s also s u s p e nd e d , re v o k e d , c an c e l l e d , d is q ua l i f i e d o r ot he r w ise w it hd ra w n f o r a n o t he r re a s o n , or to change restrictions that require the issuance of a duplicate CDL .
    (d ) Up o n re i n st a t e m en t u nde r t h is p a ra g ra ph , t h e de p a rt m en t s ha ll rec o rd t h e reinst a t e m e n t o n t h e p e rso n ’s d r i v ing rec o rd a n d o n t h e commercial driver license information system and shall make applicable record entries relating to the medical certification .
    (e ) Rei n st a ti n g a C D L un d e r t h is pa ra g ra p h reinst a t e s an y e nd o rseme n t, incl ud ing a n H e n d o rse m e n t, he ld a t t h e t i m e o f v o lu n t a ry s u r r ende r i f t h e pe r s o n o t he r w ise re m a i n s e l ig ible t o ho ld those e n do r s em e n ts.
    ( 8 ) N OT I CES T O DRIV E R S A ND E M P L O Y E R S . (a) T h e d e p a rt m en t s h a ll p ro v ide w r itt e n no ti c e to a T ier 1 d r i v e r o f each o f t h e f o l l o w in g , a s applicable :
    1 . T h e e x p i r a ti o n da te o f h is o r he r m ed ical c e rt i f ica t e ; t ha t t h e pe rs o n ma y no t o pe ra t e in in t e rstate c o m me rce a f t e r t h e m e d ical c e rt i f ica t e e x p i r e s; an d t h a t t h e pe rso n ’s C D L w i l l b e d o w n g ra de d i f h e o r s h e doe s n o t ma in t a in a m ed ical c e rt i f ic a te o n f i l e w ith t h e de p a rt m en t. W h ene v e r p ractica b le, t h e depa r t m e n t s ha ll p ro v ide no tice un d e r t h is s ubd i v is i o n at least 55 d a y s before t h e e x p i r a ti o n o f t h e med i c a l c e rt i f ica t e .
    2 . T h a t t h e p e rso n s med ic a l c e rt i f ic a te is e x p i r ed , th a t t h e p e rson is n o lo n g e r c e rt i f i e d t o o pe rate in i n t e rs t a te c o m me rce , a n d t ha t t h e pe rs o n ’s C D L ma y b e do w n g ra ded . T h e depa r t m e n t s ha ll p ro v ide no tice un d e r t h is s ubd i v is i o n upo n e x p i r a ti o n o f t h e med i c a l c e rt i f ica t e.
    3 . That t h e de p a rt m en t ha s do w ng ra de d t h e pe rso n ’s C D L and of how th e pe rs o n ma y reins t a te h is o r h e r C DL. T h e depa r t m e n t s ha ll p ro v ide no tice un d e r t h is s ubd i v is i o n upo n completing the downgrade.
    4. That the federal motor carrier safety administration has n o t i f ied t h e d e pa r t me n t t ha t a CDL holder ha s be e n iss u e d a med ical v a r i an c e a n d t h e mo st rec e n t med i c a l c e rt i f ica t e o n file w ith t h e de p a rt m en t d o e s no t c on t a i n a m e d ical v a r i an c e. The notice shall re q u i r e t h e d r i v e r to s u bm it a c u r re n t m e d ical c e rt i f ica t e r e f l e cti n g t h e v a r i an c e .
    (b) T h e d e pa r t m e n t ma y use t h e o n l i n e me t ho d e s t ab l i s h e d un de r s u b . (9 ) to p ro v ide w r itt e n n o tice s required under this subsection . The de p a rt m en t s h a ll u se t h e e mp lo y e r no t i fic a ti o n s y st e m un d e r s. 343 . 2 7 , St a ts . , t o i n f o rm a n em p lo y e r o f a n y no tice p r o v id e d u n de r par. (a) 1., 2. or 3. , i f a t t h e ti m e o f tha t n o tice t h e e m p lo y e r i s en rol l e d in th e employer notification s y st e m an d t h e affected d r i v e r is s ho w n in t h a t e mp l o y e r s list o f e n rol l e d d r i v e rs.
    (9 ) D EPA R T M E NT ONLINE SERVICES . T h e department may maintain on its website a means for a n y pe rson t o ma ke t h e c e rt i f ic a ti o n r e q u i r e d in s u b . (3). The department shall maintain on its website a means for all of the following :
    (a ) For an y pe rson to v e r i f y t h e s t a t u s o f h i s o r he r CDL , incl ud ing an y au t ho r i z e d v eh ic l e cl a ss e s an d en d o rseme n ts.
    (b ) For a n y T ier 1 dr i v e r to submit a n e l e ctro n ic c op y o f h is o r he r med ic a l c e rt i f ic a t e .
    (c ) For an y emp lo y e r en rol l e d in t h e e mp l o y e r no ti f i c a ti o n s y st e m e s t ab l i s h e d un d e r s. 3 43 . 24 7 , S t a t s., to v e r i f y its d r i v e r s c u r r en t c e rt i f ied t i e r o f o p e rati o n a n d t h e e x p i r a ti o n d a te o f t h e med i c a l c e rt i f ica t e f o r i t s T ier 1 d r i v e r e mp l o y ee s.
    ( d ) For an y T ier 1 d r i v e r to v e r i f y t h e dep a rt me n t ha s c o m p le t e d t h e a cti o n s re q u i r e d in s u b . (5) .
    ( e ) For a n y d r i v e r to c o n f i r m a do w n g ra de d C DL ha s be e n rein s t a t e d .
    S EC T I O N 2 . EFFE C T I VE D A T E. T h is rule w i l l t a ke e f fe ct o n t h e f i r st da y o f t h e mo n th f o l l o w ing pub l i c a ti o n i n t h e W is c on sin A d m inistra t i v e Re g ist e r a s p r o v id e d in s . 227 . 2 2 (2) ( in t r o .) , S t a t s.