WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1546

Driver Licenses - As introduced, removes intrastate and other restrictions on the holder of a commercial driver license with certain medical conditions if the license holder is certified as being medically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle by a medical examiner certified by the federal motor carrier safety administration pursuant to federal regulations. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 4.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jake McCalmon

Tennessee bill removes state CDL restrictions for federally-certified drivers with medical conditions, allowing more medically-cleared individuals to operate commercial vehicles.

Signed by Governor.
#driverlicenses
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1546

Legislative bill overview

HB 1546 would remove Tennessee state restrictions on commercial driver licenses (CDLs) for individuals with certain medical conditions, provided they obtain federal certification from a FMCSA-certified medical examiner. This aligns state regulations with federal standards rather than maintaining stricter intrastate limitations.

Why is this important

Currently, Tennessee may impose additional restrictions beyond federal requirements on CDL holders with medical conditions, potentially limiting employment opportunities for qualified drivers. This bill would streamline regulations and create consistency between state and federal standards, affecting commercial transportation workforce capacity.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety concerns: Critics may argue that state-level restrictions exist for public safety reasons and that federal certification alone may not account for state-specific road conditions or intrastate commerce needs
  • Specificity of "certain medical conditions": The bill's language doesn't detail which conditions qualify, raising questions about implementation standards and whether all conditions eligible federally should be automatically approved
  • Medical examiner qualifications: Potential debate over whether FMCSA certification is sufficient without additional state-level medical review or oversight mechanisms

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.