Why do I have to submit my DOT medical card on the state website if they already have the info?
Posted by Yarasgardian_@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 17 comments
So I checked the mail recently and it said that my cdl would be cancelled unless I submitted my medical certificate. It would’ve been cancelled on 8/24 so I’m glad I checked.
I don’t remember doing this before and I recently got a new issued card while with my employer since it expired. But I looked on the site and it seems like they already knew that I had a new medical card because the new date was on there and there weren’t any alerts saying anything otherwise.
I basically just had to go through my whole certificate and list off numbers and stuff but was this all I needed to do? Seems like they knew the card was updated already
PollutionFinancial71@reddit
Because Federal and State live in two different universes. Case in point:
My wife is a Green Card holder. We went to the DMV to do an address change on both of our licenses.
While mine was no problem (I am a US Citizen), they were unable to change the address on her license, as they couldn't confirm her immigration status. I got worried at first, then took to reddit and found out that this happens all of the time with non-US Citizen lawful permanent residents.
Apparently, when renewing/giving a license to a non-citizen, they make an official request to immigration. Apparently, it can be instant, or take up to 60 days. Logic would dictate that since it was 2023 at the time, that they have everything in databases and can access that information on the fly. But they can't.
Moral of the story is that BOTH the state and federal governments are simultaneously incompetent. Therefore, it is on you to make sure that each concerned party gets the necessary information. My experience has taught me that when dealing with the government, if you don't keep your case under a microscope, they WILL screw something up.
santanzchild@reddit
Be glad you can do it online. Here we have to sprnd half a day at the DMV and give them $6 for the privilege.
inebriateddandhated@reddit
That's backwards af.
For us, we pay $15 to run it online or free in person.
deezkeys098@reddit
At least in my state we used to be able to fax it heck I could get my medical card renewed anywhere in the state and it would update automatically the doctors I have talked to have said that after Covid the state DMV’S have become lazy.
MN8616@reddit
Feds know about your new physical because Dr had to send them a copy. State learns about it from you. Stop thinking that anything in trucking is logical, makes sense, has been been planned, etc. It's a hodge podge of federal and state regulations issued by bureaucrats and interpreted others without a plan.
Lord_B33zus@reddit
This is the same shit that just happened to me. I thought the clinics sent in the info cause I never remembered taking it in. Rode around illegal for a month with a downgraded DL. Cost me $75 and a few days off to get a new CDL and get the info updated.
SufficientOnestar@reddit
They don't submit it to the DOT they keep it on file for them.You submit it to your state license bureau every time you renew it.
Critical-Shift8080@reddit
Have you ever heard of triplicate???
halfcow@reddit
I also live in Bama, Roll Tide If I'm not mistaken, I think the Dr has to file a report with the State, and so does the driver. That way, the driver can't just Photoshop a fake medical card.
So in your case, maybe the Dr filed it before you did? (Just guessing.)
Yarasgardian_@reddit (OP)
Roll tide! She definitely did I’m sure but I didn’t even think to because I’ve never had a cdl job before (I did technically but didn’t make it past training) but this is the longest I’ve had a cdl job where I had to recertify while still being employed lol
amazingmaple@reddit
They usually need a picture copy of it. At least my state does
Practical-Wave-6988@reddit
Short answer: The database is federal, but the states have a separate database that they have to update.
Long answer: every state has their own software and separate databases that don't always work well with the federal one. It requires a lot of extra work because CDLs and Physicals are federal regulated, but handled at the state level and god forbid they try to incorporate some kind of standard system.
Each state manages and upgrades their own software so AL may have version 3.4 and the federal one uses 2.9 and they can't talk to each other (assuming they even can be linked idk).
anon23337@reddit
What website and what state are you in
Yarasgardian_@reddit (OP)
Alea.gov. Alabama
Mental_Chef1617@reddit
The mail was probably sent out before the database was updated.
Yarasgardian_@reddit (OP)
The letter was sent on 7/10 (old expiration date) but my employer sent me to get recertification on 6/21
Insciuspetra@reddit
The bureaucracy is handled by a combination of computer programs written by the second to lowest bidder and people.
I would recommend doing it in person if possible.
Fighting it after the fact will be several times more difficult.