Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders in Hawai‘i are advised that starting May 19, 2025, all CDL Medical Certificates must be submitted directly to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry database. From this date, medical certifications for “Non-excepted” driving operations will no longer be accepted through the Motor Vehicle Safety Office or county CDL offices. Any questions regarding this process can be directed to the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) Driver Records email.
The requirement for CDL Medical Certification through the FMCSA National Registry is outlined in the National Registry II Final Rule. This rule mandates that all jurisdictions in the United States only accept medical certifications updated via the National Registry database. The text of the final rule is available online.
In Hawai‘i, only those CDL drivers who self-certify as “Non-excepted Interstate” and “Non-excepted Intrastate” need to have their medical certifications transmitted via a medical examiner. Information on self-certification categories can be found on the FMCSA website.
The new standards do not apply to commercial drivers with a type 3 or type 4 driver’s license. These drivers are required only to carry a physical copy of their medical certification while driving commercially.
For more information, CDL holders in Hawai‘i can visit the HDOT Motor Vehicle Safety Office website.
