Commercial Vehicle Operations

Waivers

The Driver Qualification Rules set the minimum physical qualification standards for a person who drives a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Minnesota Statutes adopt most of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for Driver Qualifications found in 49 CFR, Part 391.41. A person who is not physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle due to certain physical conditions but who meets the otherwise physical qualifications may drive a CMV if that person is granted a Medical Waiver. Refer to the Intrastate Medical Waiver Factsheet for more information.

NOTE: A person that is medically qualified under one of the alternative standards for insulin dependent diabetes or vision provided for in 49 CFR, Part 391.44 and 391.46 or who has been granted a Federal Skills Performance Evaluation Certificate or other Federal waivers/exemption does not need a Minnesota Medical Waiver to operate in intrastate commerce. For more information about the FMCSA exemptions/programs go to https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical.

Waivers for intrastate motor carriers

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) currently accepts applications for medical waivers from drivers who are not qualified under FMCSRs 391.41. For these applicants, a more extensive examination of their medical condition by a licensed physician or other medical specialist is required. MnDOT is currently accepting applications for the following types of medical waivers:

• Deaf/hard-of-hearing (Deaf or hard of hearing is when the average loss of hearing is greater than 40 decibels in the better ear);
• Insulin-dependent Diabetic;
• Physical (loss or impairment of a foot, leg, hand, arm, hand or finger(s)); and
• Vision.