Federal CDL medical categories: fresh practice

You are applying for a CDL for interstate work that is subject to the federal driver-qualification requirements and requires a medical examiner’s certificate. Which self-certification category matches that work?

Correct answer: Non-excepted interstate.

Non-excepted interstate applies when the interstate work is subject to Part 391 and requires medical certification. Self-certification identifies the applicable category; it does not replace the required medical examination and certification.

Source: §383.71(b)(1)(i), reader lines 123–124; required examination §383.71(h)(1)(ii), line 213; full category paragraph 123–128 and full medical paragraph/history 209–223 retained. eCFR, 49 CFR 383.71. Actual federal HTML acquired September 21–22, 2026 (turn3107view2, turn3377view1, turn3378view0); original Title 49 display up to date September 17, 2026. Actual retained body recovered and content reviewed October 1, 2026, not a fresh October 1 eCFR currency check. Federal category/examination guidance, not a finding about New Hampshire intrastate medical duties or current NRII delivery. HTML reader lines, not PDF pages. Arkansas transfer scope: the preceding New Hampshire limitation identifies the originating record, not destination law. No particular Arkansas intrastate exemption, medical duty or current NRII delivery process is established by this transfer. Original federal acquisition chronology and content-review date are unchanged. ↗

Your planned interstate commercial work consists exclusively of operations covered by the federal exceptions from the medical-certificate requirement. Which self-certification category matches that work?

Correct answer: Excepted interstate.

Excepted interstate depends on engaging exclusively in qualifying excepted operations. It is not a category a driver may choose simply to avoid an examination, and it does not mean that every possible state or medical obligation disappears.

Source: §383.71(b)(1)(ii), reader line 125, including its listed federal exception references; complete §383.71(b)(1)(i)–(iv), lines 123–128, retained. The scenario establishes the qualifying exception rather than classifying an unverified occupation. eCFR, 49 CFR 383.71. Actual federal HTML acquired September 21–22, 2026 (turn3107view2, turn3377view1, turn3378view0); original Title 49 display up to date September 17, 2026. Actual retained body recovered and content reviewed October 1, 2026, not a fresh October 1 eCFR currency check. Federal category/examination guidance, not a finding about New Hampshire intrastate medical duties or current NRII delivery. HTML reader lines, not PDF pages. Arkansas transfer scope: the preceding New Hampshire limitation identifies the originating record, not destination law. No particular Arkansas intrastate exemption, medical duty or current NRII delivery process is established by this transfer. Original federal acquisition chronology and content-review date are unchanged. ↗

You will operate only in intrastate commerce, and all of your work falls within exceptions to the state’s driver-qualification requirements. Which self-certification category fits these conditions?

Correct answer: Excepted intrastate.

Excepted intrastate applies to exclusively qualifying state-excepted operations. Intrastate work that remains subject to state driver-qualification requirements belongs in the non-excepted intrastate category. Staying within one state does not by itself establish an exception or remove every medical duty.

Source: §383.71(b)(1)(iii)–(iv), reader lines 126–128; complete category paragraph 123–128 retained. Conditional state-excepted operation only; no particular New Hampshire exemption or intrastate medical duty inferred. eCFR, 49 CFR 383.71. Actual federal HTML acquired September 21–22, 2026 (turn3107view2, turn3377view1, turn3378view0); original Title 49 display up to date September 17, 2026. Actual retained body recovered and content reviewed October 1, 2026, not a fresh October 1 eCFR currency check. Federal category/examination guidance, not a finding about New Hampshire intrastate medical duties or current NRII delivery. HTML reader lines, not PDF pages. Arkansas transfer scope: the preceding New Hampshire limitation identifies the originating record, not destination law. No particular Arkansas intrastate exemption, medical duty or current NRII delivery process is established by this transfer. Original federal acquisition chronology and content-review date are unchanged. ↗

You already hold a CDL and will continue non-excepted interstate driving. What must you do to maintain your medical certification status?

Correct answer: Continue the required medical examinations and certification of physical qualification.

A CDL does not end the ongoing medical obligation. A driver continuing non-excepted interstate work must continue to be medically examined and certified as physically qualified. License validity and a personal statement of fitness do not replace that requirement.

Source: §383.71(h)(3)(ii), reader lines 219–220, within complete §383.71(h) and history, lines 209–223. Selected continuing examination/certification duty only; no delivery method, examination interval, Registry-examiner selection or processing claim. eCFR, 49 CFR 383.71. Actual federal HTML acquired September 21–22, 2026 (turn3107view2, turn3377view1, turn3378view0); original Title 49 display up to date September 17, 2026. Actual retained body recovered and content reviewed October 1, 2026, not a fresh October 1 eCFR currency check. Federal category/examination guidance, not a finding about New Hampshire intrastate medical duties or current NRII delivery. HTML reader lines, not PDF pages. Arkansas transfer scope: the preceding New Hampshire limitation identifies the originating record, not destination law. No particular Arkansas intrastate exemption, medical duty or current NRII delivery process is established by this transfer. Original federal acquisition chronology and content-review date are unchanged. ↗