The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has announced significant changes affecting Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders and applicants, introducing new rules for medical certification submission and a modernized skills test set to launch this summer.
Beginning June 23, ALEA will require all DOT medical certifications to be submitted electronically by authorized medical providers. This change is part of the implementation of National Registry II and aligns with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Paper medical cards and manual online uploads will no longer be accepted.
A second major update goes into effect on July 1, as ALEA adopts the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Modernized Version of the CDL Skills Test. While the Road Skills portion of the test will remain the same, significant revisions are coming to both the Vehicle Inspection (VI) and Basic Control Skills (BCS) components.
The revised VI section removes redundant steps and places greater emphasis on safety-critical components, using updated terminology to reflect current commercial vehicle technology. The BCS portion will now feature four maneuvers, including the addition of Forward Stop and Forward Offset Tracking. These changes are informed by crash data showing high rates of frontal and side-impact collisions involving commercial motor vehicles. The updated test is designed to more accurately evaluate drivers’ ability to control vehicles in realistic driving situations.
CDL holders can view or update their DOT medical card and self-certification information at www.alabamadl.alea.gov under the “Commercial Drivers” tab. To update a self-certification category, users should select the “Submit Self-Certification” option found under the “Actions” tab. If a medical card appears missing or incorrect, CDL holders are advised to contact their medical examiner.
ALEA encourages current and prospective CDL holders to review Alabama’s CDL Supplemental Guide for Modernized Testing, which is available at ALEA Driver License Offices statewide or can be downloaded from their website.
