A California commercial truck driver was recently taken off the road in North Dakota — not for a safety violation, but due to a DMV error on his license.
The issue? His medical certificate was wrongly classified as “intrastate” instead of “interstate”, even though he clearly requested the latter.
While the officer conducting the Level 1 DOT inspection recognized it was a clerical mistake and spared the driver a fine, he was still taken out of service and had to call his company to stand down — losing valuable driving hours in the process.
Intrastate vs. Interstate — Why It Matters
If your CDL status says “intrastate”, you’re only authorized to operate within your home state — in this case, California. To legally haul across state lines, your license must be listed as “interstate non-excepted.”
That label confirms that:
- Your medical certificate meets federal FMCSA standards, and
- You’re legally cleared to operate in all 50 states.
In this case, the driver’s valid medical card was misclassified, not due to anything he did — but because of a data entry mistake at the DMV.
This Isn’t an Isolated Incident
Several commercial drivers have reported the same problem during license renewals or medical updates. DMV workers may accidentally click the wrong designation, and unfortunately, the burden falls on you — the driver —during an inspection.
“A misclick by the DMV can cost a driver thousands in lost wages or fines,” one trucker noted on social media.
What To Do If Your License Is Wrong
If your CDL medical certificate shows ‘intrastate’ when it should be ‘interstate’, you don’t necessarily need to return to California to fix it.
Call the California DMV CDL Unit: 1-916-657-5771. Explain the error and request an immediate update to your record.
Check your FMCSA status online to verify how your certificate is listed. No need to redo your medical exam if your certificate is current and properly signed.
What Happens During a DOT Inspection?
If an officer sees the “intrastate” designation while you’re driving out-of-state, they can:
- Place you out of service
- Delay your route for hours or days
- Notify your company of the violation
The good news: If you show that the error was from the DMV, most officers will avoid issuing a ticket, but you still can’t drive until the record is corrected.
Read Also: DMV Ends Automatic License Renewal in California, Adds Written Test Requirement
Tips to Avoid DMV License Mistakes
- Always verify your CDL status as “interstate non-excepted” before hitting the road.
- Double-check your certificate right after a DMV visit or license renewal.
- Save proof of correspondence if the DMV admits it was their mistake.
- Keep your medical card updated and printed on hand.
- Act fast if you notice any discrepancies.
- Stay calm and cooperative during inspections.
Have You Faced a DMV Mix-up?
If you’re a driver who’s been affected by similar licensing errors, we want to hear from you. Share your story in the comments and keep checking ridgecrestpact.org for more updates. Your voice could help prevent this from happening to someone else on the road
