ALEA announces major changes for Commercial Driver License holders in Alabama
Electronic-only medical certification begins June 23
Starting June 23, 2025, ALEA will require all DOT medical certifications to be submitted electronically by authorized medical providers. This change is part of the National Registry II implementation and follows Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines.
Key points for CDL holders:
Paper medical cards and online uploads will no longer be accepted.
CDL holders can check or update their DOT medical card or self-certification status at www.alabamadl.alea.gov under the 'Commercial Drivers' tab.
To make corrections to your self-certification category, use the 'Submit Self-Certification' option under the Actions tab.
If your medical information is missing or incorrect, contact your certified medical examiner.
Modernized CDL skills test starts July 1
On July 1, 2025, ALEA will transition to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Modernized Version of the CDL Skills Test. This update introduces significant changes to the Vehicle Inspection (VI) and Basic Control Skills (BCS) sections, while the Road Skills portion remains the same.
Highlights of the updated test:
Vehicle Inspection (VI): Streamlines redundant steps and focuses more on safety-critical parts. The language and requirements have been updated to reflect current commercial vehicle technology.
Basic Control Skills (BCS): Now includes four required maneuvers, with the addition of Forward Stop and Forward Offset Tracking. These were added in response to crash data showing high rates of front-end and side-swipe collisions involving commercial vehicles.
CDL applicants can access Alabama's updated CDL Supplemental Guide at ALEA Driver License Offices or download it online.
ALEA says these changes are intended to strengthen safety and better prepare drivers for real-world situations on the road.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Connecticut is renumbering Merritt Parkway exits. Here's what drivers need to know.
Connecticut drivers will start to see new exit numbers Monday along the Merritt Parkway, also known as Route 15. The state's Department of Transportation is moving the numbers to a mile-based system in accordance with federal standards. The DOT says most other states use a mile-based system, and mileage typically runs from south to north and west to east. Officials say the system is more driver friendly and more accurate for emergency response. The change will take place from the New York border to the Wilbur Cross Parkway. The project is expected to be completed in four to five weeks. Officials say there will be no Exit 0, and the exit signs will look the same, only the numbers will change. Some "OLD EXIT" signs, with green background and white lettering, will be installed at key locations for at least two years. The DOT says all limited access roadways within the state will eventually be renumbered for a mileage-based system. CLICK HERE for an interactive map of the changes. Questions about the project can be emailed to with the subject line "Exit Numbering."
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
An Guide To Awesome Summer Motoring Summer
Summer means sweet freedom and, for drivers, hitting the road to somewhere fun. It also means, especially this summer, excessive heat, traffic, construction zones and the occasional flared temper. Here are some handy tips for summer travelers, plus a few recommended accessories. Parents and daughters spending vacation traveling by automobile and enjoying road trip. Plan ahead If your trip is under 50 miles, you may not even need a map. But for weekend getaways and vacations, you should flesh out a primary route for your destination to avoid road closures, traffic jams and other not-fun developments, and download the maps before you go. Coverage can be iffy in the mountains, for example. Two years ago when I was crossing Arizona in an RV, I had no access at all for two hours. I didn't have a problem not being able to listen to podcasts, but having no map in the middle of nowhere was unsettling. Download offline maps and make a note of fuel gaps in the West and charger deserts if you're electric. Construction season is upon us, too —check state DOT Twitter feeds the morning you leave. Prep your vehicle Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or having service done professionally, see to your oil, coolant, belts, hoses, air filter and battery health. Flush old brake fluid if it's been more than two years - boiling brakes on a downhill pass is bad news. For trucks towing boats, bikes or otherwise, verify your tow rating, tongue weight (the downward force that a trailer's coupler exerts on the hitch ball of the tow vehicle) and make sure your trailer lights/brakes work. Motorcyclists need to check chain tension and lube, brake pads, cables and that your cooling system is in working order. Tire care Underinflated tires are the #1 cause of highway blowouts, experts say. Set pressures to the door jam (or owner's manual) recommendation for your loaded weight. If you're hauling, move weight forward of the rear axle and strap it down thoroughly. Motorcyclists should know their gross vehicle weight rating and remember, luggage counts as weight. Inspect tires for age cracks and set pressures while the engine's cold. Load your vehicle, then recheck tire pressure. Get in the habit of checking your vehicle/two-wheeler the same as you get in the habit of making sure the oven's off, or the lights. What excessive heat can do Engines overheat, people dehydrate and tires blow when asphalt gets hot. Carry more water than you think you need. Park in shade when you can and consider buying a windshield sunshade - they really work. For bikers - wear mesh or ventilated gear. And when the heat is searing, take breaks for water every couple of hours before you get thirsty. Consider carrying tools, spares, and quick fixes. A small compact compressor, a plug kit (or tubes + irons if you ride off-road), duct tape, zip ties and spare fuses are good to keep in the trunk. A paper map should live in the glovebox in the event tech fails. Don't forget a proper first-aid kit. Manage road fatigue when it's boiling hot All of us are slower and sloppier after eight hours in the saddle or seat. Make sure to swap drivers before fatigue sets in. Stretch or walk around a little at fuel stops or do jumping jacks if you're so inclined, and no one's videoing. Sometimes a 10 or 20-minute nap does more than a cup of coffee. If you're nodding, get off the road. Visibility and etiquette Make sure your daytime running lights are on. Signal early, naturally, merge cleanly and don't tailgate, especially in back of someone towing 7,000 pounds up a grade. Truckers and motorcyclists live by hand waves and lane courtesies—join the culture. Enjoy the journey as well as the destination. The point isn't to white‑knuckle it from A to B like you're on a work deadline. Hit the two‑lane scenic alternate. Eat pie from roadside stands. Buy your Mom a jar of preserves. Write and send a to take with you LA CANADA, CA - JUNE 21: Motorcyclists speed past roadside flowers as a heavy wildflower ... More bloom(Photo by) Nikon Z5 II Kit $2496.95 Nikon Z II The Z5 II kit is incredibly easy to use, loaded with with modern features (fast AF, IBIS, clean 4K, slow‑mo video), and widely respected as a good value by photographers who know their gear—and it's not a typical 'grandpa Nikon." Button layouts are intuitive, the grip is solid, controls are customizable, and an articulating touchscreen makes shooting in odd angles ok. It's also not a huge hunk of camera, but not so small that it feels like a toy. Mission Workshop Meridan Landspeeder Modular Backpack $395 Meridian Backpack Made in Los Angeles, the Meridan Landspeeder Modular Backpack was designed as a versatile solution for both daily carry and travel - even long travel. You could throw this thing out a high window or otherwise bang it around and it won't fall apart. Blending advanced materials with intelligent organization, it includes padded shoulder straps, a breathable back panel and a luggage handle pass-through for streamlined airport navigation. You can also choose the Solo pack and build your own mixing and matching accessories and colors. CROSSRAY eXtreme BBQ $849 CROSSRAY eXtreme Portable Electric Barbecue Here's a portable electric grill that's solid, if pricey. The CROSSRAY eXtreme Electric BBQ uses dual 1100W carbon-fibre infrared elements (2200W total) to deliver over 300°C cooking performance, rivaling or surpassing most gas grills. It includes a digital programmable display, meat probe and a high hood with a warming rack for versatile cooking, from grilling to slow roasting. Fully portable, though heavy, it can be used on a tabletop or as part of a trolley or outdoor kitchen setup. Optional features like a rotisserie kit expand its functionality while maintaining a sustainable, electric-powered design.
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
How to use GeauxPass in Louisiana
After at least a dozen delays, the new Belle Chasse Bridge is open. Why it matters: For the first time, many drivers are running into the state's roadway toll system known as GeauxPass. The big picture: GeauxPass, which doesn't require drivers to stop, is the Louisiana Department of Transportation's solution to long toll lines that can clog highway traffic. It's in use along the 19-mile LA 1 expressway that connects Golden Meadow with the coast, and on the Belle Chasse Bridge that spans Highway 23 across the Intracoastal Waterway. How it works: You don't need to have a GeauxPass account set up before using those roadways. The system snaps a picture of your license plate and follows up with you later at your home address, kind of like when you get a camera ticket for speeding or blowing a red light. Yes, but: If you get that letter, then your bill will have an extra fee attached for the invoice. For a recent drive across the Belle Chasse bridge, the $2.64 fee was more than the $2.26 toll. Be smart: You can avoid that fee by setting up a GeauxPass account in advance. It's a fairly quick process online, though it does require an initial $30 account deposit. If you don't foresee driving through a GeauxPass location all that frequently, make sure you don't authorize it for auto-replenishment, which will mean regular deposits. Instead, the system will simply deduct the toll when you use the bridge, a DOT spokesman says.
