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Tennessee CDL Requirements
Updated: 3/23/22
Starting on January 30, 2012, all CDL Drivers will be required to self certify to a single type of commercial operation. You are responsible to provide TDOSHS with your self-certification of operating status by January 30, 2014.
Based on that self certification, you may need to provide the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) with a current medical examiner’s certificate and show any variance you may have to obtain or keep your CDL.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the medical requirements for the State of Tennessee.
If you do not provide TDOSHS with your self-certification and medical certificate by January 30, 2014, TDOSHS will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate commerce. TDOSHS will then remove all your CDL privileges from your license.
Submit your Affidavit Self-Certification and Medical Certificate Form MCSA 5876 to Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Submit the following two documents:
- SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE – download the form SF-1480 (Rev11/18) here from Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
- Copy of your valid Medical Examiner Certificate – Form MCSA 5876 (the medical card, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
Tennessee Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security
Commercial Driver License Division – Med Cert
1148 Foster Ave
Nasvhille, TN 37243
By Email:
DI.CDL.Medcert@tn.gov
If by email please send the scanned copies in a PDF.
Upload Self-Certification Affidavit and Medical Examiner’s Certificate:
TN Driver Services upload link
For questions please call 615-502-4179. Please have your commercial driver license number readily available.
Keep Your Medical Card Current With Tennessee Department Of Safety
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will be adding your medical certification status and the information on your medical examiner’s certificate to your Commercial Driver’s License System (CDLIS) record. CDL holders required to have a ”certified” medical status who fail to provide and keep up-to-date their medical examiner’s certificate with TDOSHS will become ”not-certified”.
It is the driver’s responsibility to maintain up to date medical certification notification to the state.
Before your medical card expires you must have a new medical examination and obtain a new medical certificate. You are responsible for providing your valid medical certificate to TDOSHS.
If your medical card expires, TDOSHS will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate commerce. TDOSHS will then remove all your CDL privileges from your license.
You may submit your new medical certificate by mail, email, or online as described above.
Other Information:
Tennessee official website Driver Services
Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES
MEDICAL EXAMINERS MUST CONTINUE TO ISSUE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES TO ALL DRIVERS
The FMCSA has requested that all medical examiners continue providing drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876, so that Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders can provide a copy to the State licensing agency, and the non-CDL drivers can provide the documentation to their employers and Federal and State enforcement officials.
The Agency is currently completing efforts to put into place an electronic system to enable medical examiners to transmit the medical certificate information from the National Registry system to the State licensing agencies.
Until that system is completed, which compliance date according FMCSA is June 23, 2025, medical examiners must continue to issue paper copies of the medical certificates to drivers who pass the medical exam.
ALL DRIVERS MUST CONTINUE TO CARRY A PAPER COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Commercial Drivers – You still need to carry a paper copy of your medical card, until FMCSA announces that this is no longer necessary.
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ON THE DESIGNATED PORTAL TO RENEW TN CDL MEDICAL CERTIFICATION I CANNOT FIND ANY WAY TO ATTACH MY TWO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MED EXAM CERT AND SELF CERT) REQUIRED. PLEASE ADVISE. IS THERE A SEPARATE EMAIL THAT I CAN USE TO SEND THE PDF DOCUMENTS? THANKS
@ Jo E
This is a state related question and will be best answered by your states drivers license department.
In TN all you need to do is go to the driver e-services link, then down to the section for CDL drivers and click submit self-certification affidavit and medical certification. It will walk you thru verifying your identify, completing the self cert affidavit and uploading your docs. I just finished this process for my husbands renewal for his med card about 20 minutes ago. I do it every 2 years for him. Hope this helps!
I am off work with an illness that will prevent me from doing my dot med certification in Tennessee.
What do I need to do to prevent loosing my cdl as there is no extension in such casses?
I really don’t want to have to go back to a cdl truck driving school to get my cdl back over an illness?
@ Pete
Speak with your local drivers license department and explain your situation. Then follow their process.
My drivers license is close to expiring. i have not had my medical certificate for a couple of years. am i able to get a medical certificate before my license expire so i can keep my CDL’s?
@ Phillip D S
In most cases, yes. Do confirm with your local drivers license department that you still have a cdl. You may have been downgraded since it has been a couple years without a med card.
In TN all you need to do is go to the driver e-services link, then down to the section for CDL drivers and click submit self-certification affidavit and medical certification. It will walk you thru verifying your identify, completing the self cert affidavit and uploading your docs. I just finished this process for my husbands renewal for his med card about 20 minutes ago. I do it every 2 years for him. Hope this helps!
Does Tennessee require annual med card renewals? As a private bus company we operate with the federal 2-year, but a new location in TN says they must be every year.
@ Glen
DOT/FMCSA still operates on a two year certification, unless the driver has other conditions which require a yearly follow-up. If the new location is stating TN law, then you need to confirm with TN DOT.
I have a current CDL, but had heart surgery last year. I now have a defibrillator, so will have to get an InTRAstate certification just for the state of TN. How would I go about this?
@ MDonahoe
If you are a class A driver, then you get your regular DOT/FMCSA medical cert exam. Then take the results to your state, so they can issue the intra-state only license.
My wife was terminally ill a year and a half ago and has since then passed away my medical certification expired can I get my medical certification renewed and get my CDL privileges reinstated.
@ Donald G
Since your cdl is a state issued document, you will need to check with your local DLD for guidance.
I have employees that need to get there CDL medical cards renewed, but they do not expire until December and January. what is the time frame they can start getting a renewed medical card before it expires?
@ Rachel C
New medical cards can be done at any time. The new medical cards over-ride the old ones and have a new beginning and expiration date, so they lose the last couple months on their existing cards.
If I let my medical card expire and they revoke my cdl. Will the State of Tn send me a updated license or do I have to go to the dmv?
@ Matt
Probably best to go to the DMV and downgrade. May save you from having to retest, if you want your cdl back.
Medical card expired in march so they cancelled my cdl privleges. Got it renewed for a year a couple of days ago. I submitted that and the self affidavit online. Is that all I have to do to get my privileges back?
@ Devin H
Ask your states drivers license department for confirmation. This is a state related question, not federal DOT.
I’m a retired over road driver that while in Tn kept up med. Card, I retired and didn’t think about a med card and moved to Ohio and went to get Ohio cdl and removed hazmat endorsement, no problem but when went to change states to Ohio found out Tn put hold on cdl. Got info that med cal was needed to take hold off, I since did requirements and went on line and felled paperwork out and took picture of med card. I then got a email from Tn saying it was denied. Please I don’t know what they want to solve this. Do you in anyway look at my paperwork and tell me what I did wrong.
@ Douglas n W
Did you have a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination done by a CME? If not, there is the problem
Having a knee replacement on May 17. Dot card is up on July 19. Doctor says I should be ok 6-8 weeks after surgery but this is cutting it close. What would it take to get an extension if I’m not at 100% by July 19? Can I go before my knee operation?
@ John K
Best to wait until fully released to return to work before going for a new medical card. Going early would require a new card when released. Waiting until released may cut your time close or a little late but you should be OK.
When it comes to NON-CDL CMV Operators, at 19,500 lbs, some states dont require a medical card to operate, like AZ.
Is Tennessee one of those states?
I’m trying to find this answer as well. The only thing I can find is that a TDOT number is not required for Intrastate commerce by a private carrier until 26,001lbs. I can’t find anything concerning a medical card requirement at a certain weight under 23,001lbs.
@ Mark C
Most states require a medical card for any vehicle, not just weight, being used for commerce (making money for someone). Best to confirm with your local DLD for your best answer.
I’m a school bus driver in Alabama but would like to apply for job in Tennessee? I have my Cdl license and health card what else is required?
@ Nita
You probably have all you need, but confirm with Tennessee DLD.
I’m not understanding the difference between a medical card and a medical certificate. I started off driving for the government so medical cards weren’t required as we were able to present a waiver. After I left that job and renewed my license, I had to get a medical card from a physician to present to the state with my renewal. My medical card expires in October 2022 but DL doesn’t expire until 2028, will I have to get a new medical card and go present it to the DOT? Side note: I’m not currently driving trucks, I would just like to keep my CDLs just in case.
@ Kenny G
Yes, most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Confirm with your local drivers license department.
Thanks!
I renewed my medical card but forgot to self certify. I received a letter in the mail. If I self certify will they reinstate my license without having to go through great lengths. Med card never expired. I didn’t know I had to send documents in. Only been driving two yearso this is my first experience renewing.
@ Stone
Most likely, but check with your local drivers license department for confirmation.
I tried to self certify but it wants to verify me it ask for last name dl number and ss number then it says a code had been sent to my phone number which is an old number i no longer have it gives no other option so what can i do
@ Bill
You will have to get your answer from the state drivers license department, since it is a state related issue.
I am not driving a cmv now.My medical card expires this year.my license expires in 2024. Do I have to get a medical card,or can I check the Intrastate excepted box on the self certification form .
@ Tim m
You need to confirm this with your local drivers license department.
My CDL license is suspended because my Medical Card expired a year ago. I completed the medical card in Florida but my CDL is from TN. How the medical card doctor could provide the DMV the medical card ? Where the doctor faxes the medical card to the TN DMV.?
@ Evis F
Send the copy to TN. DMV.
Is there a working FAX number? The one on this site is disconnected.
@ Jeff
The fax option is not longer available. There is a new online upload option.
Is there a grace period if you go past the date of your dot before u loose your license
@ Floyd
Right now you have until the end of February to get your medical card registered with the state. Since cdl’s are issued by the state and not the fed. you will need to confirm with your local drivers license department about any grace period for your cdl.
I am a school bus driver for Wilson County TN and I had to have hip replacement and was not able to do my take my medical exam for my CDL license. I received a letter that stated I needed to surender my CDL license. I would like to get my license back as I can now pass my medical test. Will I have to retest in order to get my CDL back?This just took place in May of 2022. Only a couple months ago.
@ Dee
Since your cdl is a state issued document, your best answer will come from your local drivers license department.
If my medical card expires Jan 7th and I renew it Jan 7th and upload everting will I be good to go?
@ Paul
You should be fine. FMCSA has extended their grace period until the end of February in your case.
My Dot health card expired inarch 2017 but my license are good to 2028 and still have cdl a on them can I get my health card and still have my cdls one time a lady told me from Tn dot that you had 5 years after an expired medical card to get a new one to keep cdl in TN is this true
@ Howard
See Above for Gordon M.
i had my cdl whan i was 21, grandfathered in , now my doctor wont let me drive because of a upcoming surgery, so now after 35 years , i will lose my cdl,before 2012 i keep them with no med card as long as not driven.what the world going to ?
@ william r s
All is not lost. Check with your local drivers license department for confirmation. If you explain your situation to the DLD, they should guide you through the process of keeping your cdl, given you are headed to surgery. They may require a valid medical card to maintain your cdl. You can get a DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination after you are released from your doctors to return to work.
How can I check and see if my medical card has been updated?
@ Jesse j
Check with your states drivers license department, they should be able to answer your question. Once the CME completes the examination and puts your information into the federal data base, it’s good for the federal DOT. Getting the info to the state is your responsibility, unless you were informed differently by the examiners office.
I just found out today that i recieved a letter from TN DOT that my medical certificate expired June 1st 2019. This makes no sense considering i have my certificate with me and it doesn’t expire til February 28 2020. It is Friday 9:00pm and cannot get a hold of anyone at the department and i’m parked in west Tn afraid to leave. What am i supposed to do now?
@ Steven
Make sure the state has a copy of your most recent medical card. You should be able to drive if you can support a DOT officers questions with a valid medical card.
Can you send me the self certification form. I’ve misplaced the one that the state of tenn sent me. Call me at 9019079332 if you have any questions.
@ Mark L
Download the form SF-1480 (Rev11/18) here from Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
I am shut down in tx till i self certify my cdl…does anyone know how long it will take once I get the paperwork faxed in for this?
I had a City job that required me to get the Code 52 restriction and I didn’t have to get a medical card, but I’m not employed with them anymore and I got my medical card. How do I get the restriction off my license?
@ Anthony McC
Go to the local DLD and find out.
If I am taking Seroquel and depakote can I still be approved for a DOT medical card 52 I was shot in my head in 2015 but I have not suffered or severe experienced any difficulties
@ Dustin
Both of these medications are going to raise questions and will require medical documentation from your prescribing physicians.
My med card expired in June of 2017. My CDL status shows cancelled. If I renew my med card, will my CDL be reinstated or do I have to reapply for a CDL?
@Scott
You will need to check with your local drivers license department to see how you can get your CDL reinstated. A new medical card does not automatically give you your CDL.
I live in Georgia,. I drive a school bus,. We take field trips to the great state of Tennessee. Georgia does not require us to have a DOT card,. When we cross into Tennessee,. Will e needed to have a dot card??? I’m told we do so I don’t go.
@Mark
This will depend on the class of your drivers license. If it is not a class A, then all you need to do is check with your local drivers license department to determine the best answer.
I am a school bus driver. my employer sent me to renew my DOT card, and the healthcare provider i was sent to failed me because I am partially colorblind. I can distinguish between red, yellow, and green. They told me that it didn’t matter, they don’t pass anyone with any amount of color blindness. This seems to be contrary to state law; are their policies legal? Before this, I received my previous DOT card from Concentra, and it was recognized by my employer. Now they are saying I can’t go there because they would consider that “doctor shopping”. Other employee’s here have been allowed to go to other establishments for their DOT physical for other medical reason. Any suggestions?
@Daniel
They should only be testing you to distinguish between red, yellow, and green. The primary reason for the DOT physical color test is to determine your ability to distinguish red, amber/yellow and green – not a color blindness examination.
Yes, you are entitled to go somewhere else for a second opinion, and not be bullied by someone who is not sticking to the guidelines.
I have a restriction 52 on my CDL. But I’m going tomorrow to get my Heath card.Do I only have to take it to the DMV and show them I have med card back to get the restriction took off or do I have to do more???
My Med card expires tomorrow February 4th I am going to get a physical tomorrow and fax my paper work in. Will my CDL be taken away because it is not 10 days before it expired? And will have have to pay $75 to reinstate my CDL? Or will me faxing my paper work in tomorrow be perfectly fine since it doesn’t expire till tomorrow??
@marissa
Only your drivers license department can answer this question.
Just get your new medical card to them asap.
If they are behind in getting their system updated, then it’s unlikely that they’ll be downgrading licenses immediately.
I am laid off , my medical card is coming up can I get anew card by taking medical not working ?
@Larry
Yes.
My medical card expire on the 13 of July. I had just found out That my cdl has been cancelled due to expired medical card. If I was to get my card today would I be able to get back in my dump truck and drive today? Or do I have to go thru the reinstatement process before I can get back in truck?
@Jamon
You want to go through the reinstatement process first. Best to get to the drivers license department asap and get it done.
hello all.i gave up my CDL last week anyway i can get it back?i regret it dearly
@Joe
Contact your local drivers license department where you gave it up. Only they can help you.
I changed careers and no longer needed a CDL. I chose not to continue the medical exams and annual application process for the CDL. Therefore, TDOSHS has removed my CDL privileges. Do I need to do anything further? My DL hasn’t expired.
@Dee
Sounds like you have done what you need to do with Tennessee drivers license department, but they are the only ones who can confirm this for you. Every state has their own process.
Our expertise is on medical certification, not on driver licenses.
Hello, I have moved from West Virginia to Tennessee. I have a Class A CDL with all endorsements but currently I do not drive commercially. I have let my DOT medical card expire and I need to renew my drivers license due to the fact I have changed my residence. I was told that if I do not have a current DOT medical card on file, I can not retain a CDL Class A license when I renew the license and that my CDL will be lost. I wanted to retain it, if I needed to drive again for a living. Is this true or can it just be downgraded without loss just with no Commercial driving privileges? If so where can this law to provide to the DMV when I renew my license?
@Kenneth
Each state treats this process differently. You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department and ask them what their downgrade/upgrade process is.
I am transferring my CDL from Arkansas to Tennessee, will my medical card transfer with it? it has my license number from Arkansas on it…which will not match my new TN license…
@Jimmie
Your medical card will transfer with no problem, just make a copy of your old drivers license to support the changes and you should be OK until you renew your new medical certificate.
My Class A CDL status has been cancelled as of Jan.16, 2016 due to an expired Med card. I am in perfect health and will be obtaining a med card this week. Will filing the paperwork and verifying my Med card with the county clerk be all I need to do to get my license be back to Class A or will i need to retest?
@Joe
Most states would say that that is all you need. Some states will ask you to re-instate your license, for a fee. Nearly none will request that you start all over.
were can i get copies of the affidavit forms for TN
If you have a CDL and because of failure to file medical and it gets canceled, what are the steps you need to take in order to get it active again?
@Tonya
Each state treats this process differently. You’ll need to contact your local DLD to determine what you need to do.
I haven’t been driving commercially otr since 2003. However, I kept my CDL Class A active all that time but didn’t see no need to keep my Medical Card current because I wasn’t driving for a living. When they implemented the Self Certification, I was then forced to go get a DOT physical in order to keep my CDL current. I was and am still a bit confused by all this. Needless to say, my blood pressure was alot higher than I ever anticipated and I couldn’t pass the physical to renew my Medical Card. So, it was my understanding that to keep your CDL, you either had to pass the physical if you planned to drive interstate or you could still keep your CDL by excepting yourself when you self certify, which means, or so I thought it meant, you could still keep your CDL “Active”. So, I check my CDL license status and come to find out its ” Cancelled” .So my question is, My CDL license that I have in my wallet says CDL Commercial Drivers License. It doesn’t expire till the end of 2016. I’m assuming I no longer have a CDL with no endorsements (I had EVERY endorsement except Passenger) any longer, is this correct? I thought by excepting myself from operating commercially, that it would still keep my CDL a CDL since I was no longer driving and that I couldn’t pass the Physical. Otherwise, why make it an available choice to except yourself. Why didn’t they just word it that if you couldn’t renew your Medical Card, you would no longer be able to be issued or carry a Commercial Drivers License and require you to surrender your CDL and exchange it for a regular Drivers License? Basically I’m carrying around a Drivers License that says Commercial Drivers License. Very confusing!!! Please clarify if I’m understanding this correctly. I live in Tennessee and been a CDL Class A license holder since 1991. Thanks in advance! Best Regards!
@Alan
The downgrade process differs from state to state. Some states will allow you to self-certify “excepted intrastate” as long as you are not driving, and keep your CDL; the length of time that you can do this may be limited.
The only way to know for sure what they will allow you to do, is to contact your local drivers license department directly, and have them address your circumstances on an individual basis.
Hello, I have a CDL, but do not drive for a living any longer. I still want to keep my CDL (ya never know). Will I need to update my medical card now, or can that be done when my license expires ?
Thank you !
when you renue you medical card, you have to fax an affidavit form. there are 4 questions on that form, which of the questions is the correct anwer if: you have a cdl class A non restriction and you can drive state to state. please help me to anwer the correct question ….. excepted interstate , non excepted interstate, is confused to me..
@Herbert
Non Excepted Interstate.
I just want to know how long is a Medical Examiner’s Certificate valid for in the state of TN. 1 year or 2 years?
@Betty
All depends on how well you did on the examination. Two years is the longest you can get a card for if all is well. It can reduce from there based on findings, medications, ongoing conditions, etc. This applies to all states.
All medical certificates expire two years from the date of issuance, regardless of state the CDL was issued.
@Zach
Incorrect.
A medical certificate expires at midnight on the expiration date.
Medical cards can be issued for any time period e.g. 30 days, 3 months, 1 year… up to a maximum of 2 years.
NOT TRUE. A medical can be written for as short as 3 months up to two years pending your level of health.
Is there a limit to the number of times an operator can be issued a 3-month medical card?
@Beverly
It would depend on the reasoning for the three month card to begin with.
There are never any “Limits”, but there are reasons. If, for example, your reasoning is due to blood pressure, or some other acute (temporary, or sudden) reason, then it will most likely have to be monitored and renewed every 3 months until the matter is medically resolved. If the matter tends into the chronic (long term) reasons, you may actually lose your right to operate a CMV. The FMCSA is currently investigating whether sleep apnea and diabetes is a deniable medical condition for CMV/CDL operation. Only time will tell.
I have a valid medical card my employer wanted me to take a physical for my current job.my old medical card doesn’t expire until 2016 because I took another dot physical do I need to send in another self certification form or can I stick with the old medical card and certification until it expires
@H Taylor
Your most recent medical card was put into the FMCSA data-base, which now over-rides your earlier medical certificate. I suspect you need to send a new self certification along with a copy of your new medical card. But check with your local DLD and make sure.
You should always send in a copy of your newest medical certification whenever you renew. While the doctors offices are supposed to update electronically, they don’t always do so, which can you leave you at a disadvantage if you are ever pulled over and there isn’t a medical card on file electronically attached to your license. Always look out for yourself when dealing with your states licensing departments. And always keep records on your person when it pertains to certifications/ endorsements. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure your home driving state has a copy of all records. You can blame the dr.’s offices til you are blue in the face, but it is not them that will be sitting on the side of the road, waiting for something to clear the DMV.
@Zach
That’s not quite correct. The updates are two separate processes to two separate entities, for interstate drivers.
The medical examiner’s office submits information online to the Federal/NRCME database.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that a copy of the new medical card is updated with their driver’s license at their state driver’s licence department. The SDLA may also require an updated self-certification form. Each state has their own process.
And, yes, it’s best the driver keeps a copy of their medical card with them at all times whilst driving, to save hassles on the road.
Can you get a health card if they claim you are color blind?
@Elizabeth
If you personally can distinguish the colors of the traffic signals, then being color blind is not a part of the DOT examination. It only becomes an issue when traffic signal colors are not easily determined, making the world around you, as a driver, unsafe.
Medically, if you cannot distinguish between traffic signal colors, you cannot obtain a driver license. If you lie on your driver license application, they can arrest you for falsifying information. If it is stated on your medical certification, that you have been determined to be color blind, you cannot claim ignorance. There is a reason you have to take an eye test in order to obtain a driver license.
my husband didn’t renew his health card due to health problem, he had a below the knee ampution a couple of years ago and is fine now and.he wants to return to driving again. where do we start to get his health card so he can get his cdl.
@Rosa
First start with the state DLD. They may have some restrictions and waiver forms for driving within the state. Once that part is done, he will then need to get his medical certificate completed. There will be a restriction and waiver needed from the FMCSA for him to drive interstate. That will require a skills performance test, which will have to be administered by a certified tester from your home state. Once all of this is done he should be able to return to driving.
I just want to encourage your husband Rosa! My husband Mike Kilby is a RBKA. He just got his SPE and medical card finished in December of 2014. We wasted 2 years dreading the process but I promise it’s easy. He is now back on the road jamming the gears with no modifications nor restrictions. He now has his life back again! Good Luck y’all can do this.
Gina
I drove team with my husband for years. He died because he had metastatic colon cancer. I haven’t driven since that but NEED to keep my CDL’S. At this time I am recovering from back surgery & probably will not drive unless financially it is necessary & WILL not be driving unless I am totally able to do so. I know the hazard it could be if I don’t comply with all medical requirements. I’m in limbo as to what I should do to keep my CDL’S. Please advise.
@Alice
Well you won’t pass the DOT medical examination at this time. So you need to check with your state DLD to see what they say about you maintaining your CDL while you are in recovery. Once you feel strong enough to pass the DOT examination, then take a medical release form from your doctors with you and take the DOT examination, if you are going to go back to driving.
Well I c the government is going after the cdl drivers now.. Put some more working americans out of work ,,Im sure they can outsource this as well for the mexicans and other countrys to come in this country and take some more of our jobs.. Ok you can have my cdl and I will apply for food stamps and welfair just like everyone else in this country is having to do..I have been an over the road diriver for 25 years and the last 5 years or so we have seen government regulation like never before.. next will b the speed limiters then the electronic logs dont forget the out of reason insurance requirement thats comming. Im sure camras in the trucks will come in there soon..next time you have a snow load on top of your van since that is a law in some states now , maybe you can find a politicians house and push it in his drive way..
I have a class B with restrictions 52 cmv Government vehicle only and I was told we didn’t have to have dot medical card.but I got a letter in the mail today that I need one so what do I do
@Michael
You’ll need to take that up with your State Drivers License Department.
My CDL has been downgraded and I will probably have to pay the 75$ I need to know what steps I need to take to get my CDL’s back to class A ? Can I go and take the DOT physical and fax the medical card to Nashville and get my license reinstated
@Terry
Every state is different. Some have a grace period, some will let you upgrade, some may make you retest, and all have different timeframes. You’ll need to contact TN drivers license department to find out what their requirements are.
My CL.A C.D.L. is not due to expire until 5-5-2016 however my Med-Cert expired today! My question is concerning a Med(Hydrocodone) for pain that I have been taking for several years. In past recertifications I have not been deceitful in any way shape or form as I listed the drug freely on the form with no issues on the recert. Now as of 5-1-2014 it’s a problem, I’m 60% service connected retired military veteran and 100% of my healthcare is through the V.A. Healthcare System. I tried to get recertified in late April but MD providing the recert service said that as a result of my current med stated above that I was no longer a qualified candidate to maintain a CDL in the state of Tennessee…..and that I would need a statement from my Primary Care Provider stating I was OK to operate a commercial motor vehicle while taking this drug? Can you please respond to this as to if there is an exempt form that my Dr can sign or basic protocol to navigate through this red tape. I’ve been Licensed and medically certified since 1996 and I have a CLEAN MVR.
@John
You do not need a waiver. You do need a medical release form completed by your prescribing doctor explaining your medications, your need for the meds and whether you are safe to operate a CMV. That’s all you should need.
So does the dot physical have to be given by a doctor or can a NP do it
@Sherri
An NP can do a DOT physical provided that person is certified and registered with NRCME.
See FAQ – Other Questions for more information.
What’s the deal with doctor prescribed medications? Something about revoking cdl for pain pills? Husband been trucker 45 years hurt in job recovered, but said need mediation probably for life. Surgery not option vs paralysis! Now were told can only work with no mediation!???
Need real help please??
@Pam
Start with a medical release form completed by your prescribing doctor. That will explain many of the questions that the CME has.
You may have been given a bit of false information in regards to NO medications.
I have a friend that is retired with CDL but his medical card has expired, and he is scared to drive his personal vehicle, does he have to have a medical card still??
@William
If you are going to keep you CDL active then, in most states, you must maintain your medical card. Most states have tied the cdl and the personal driving license together. So you could downgrade the cdl to a standard license and not have to have a medical card. Or if you want to keep the cdl, then get a new medical card.
Have contacted a lawyer to see about filling a class action suit against the state of Tennessee. For I did as instructed by the D.M.V and still my CDL was canceled. Found out by the state of Arkansas on I-30 WB scale where I was cited for driving a commercial vehicle with out a proper or canceled license. And placed out of service under a hot load. Then when I finally got to speak to a person they proceeded to tell me that my license was expired as well. Even though I had just renewed them in August. They said they gad expired the month before I even got them
Some help please. I recently retired after thirty (30) years of civil service, but have a desire to keep active. I want to earn my CDL with a class “P” endorsement to drive part time for a municipality for public transportation. I know that I need to take the knowledge and skills test, along with getting my DOT physical card. However, I see information relating to self registration forms, DOT specific physicians, etc. and I just need some guidance on what I need to do first, then the proper sequential steps from there on.
I live in Tennessee.
Thank you for any help!
@Eric
Looks like you’ve covered the basics in your research.
Start with your local DMV for your state requirements.
The self-certification affidavit indicates the type of commercial driving you do.
You will need to provide a copy of your medical certificate, along with the self-certification affidavit, to your state licensing agency / DMV.
To get your medical certificate/card, you will need to get a DOT physical exam done by a DOT certified medical examiner. All the doctors represented on this website are DOT certified doctors, aka CMEs. There are many others as well across the nation. These doctors all have to have an NRCME # to be DOT certified.
Thank you for your assistance.
You are very welcome. Good luck!
I just talked with the state of TN asking why the medical card I sent to them on a driver was not posted. They informed me that every medical card update must have a new self-certification with it even though one was submitted previously. A self-certification form has to be submitted every time you submit a medical card no matter if you have alreday self-certified.
@Teresa
YES. Excellent point. Thank you Teresa!
Yes, we do the same thing at our DOT doctors office here in Utah. The driver completes a new self-certification form and we fax it together with a copy of their medical card to Utah DMV for the driver. Saves the driver a trip to DMV, and DMV loves that the process is so quick and efficient.
We recommend everyone SUBMIT A NEW SELF-CERTIFICATION FORM TOGETHER WITH A NEW MEDICAL CARD TO YOUR STATE DMV.
The State of Tennessee is not doing a very good job getting the message out clearly. My employers have told me I have a 15 day self certification grace period to accomplish compliance each time I renew my Medical card. I went Feb 8 for physical and new card. Old card expires Feb 12. On Feb 13th Tenn. mailed me a notice that my CDL is downgraded. I had self certified on the 18th. The state takes up to 10 days to process this info. but can’t wait to scare you and threaten you to pay $75 for CDL reinstatement. I have a receipt for all this, and my MVR pulled today, (Feb) 20 is clean, however the state has not got my new Med card info updated. I would advise you stay on top of this over and over. get used to it. It will never be “their” fault. now we have to live with a new hoop to jump through or pay twice.
If you don’t submit by jan 30, 2014 and your license is demoted is there a way to get it back to the CDL-A without redoing CDL test.
@Tim
You should get a letter from DMV, and it will likely have a warning and grace period for you to submit this information, before your license is downgraded.
This differs from state to state. Some states are charging an immediate reinstatement fee. Most states will reinstate your CDL without requiring a retest. Check with your DMV for Tennessee specific rules.
I’m thoroughly outraged about this too my wife done all the faxing and today I got the same letter telling my CDL have been downgraded to class D and I will have to pay 75. dollars of my hard earned money and that’s not counting the money lost a work and maybe my job. Thank to all the ones who helped to put this all together. That’s one way to put the truck drivers off the road .
Is there a website or contact to verify the self cerificaton has been processed and handled properly ? Please e-mail or call phone 423-553-1082 Brian Henegar
Mr. Henegar you can call 866-903-7357 and they can tell you if your cdls have been updated
@Jerry
Thank you so much for this information. At this stage your experience is the best way to help other drivers. Much needed across all states, and much appreciated.
Yes I know after talking with all the people at the DMV I learned that the Medcert. office is a long way from having this together and a whole bunch of drivers are going to lose their cdl’s like me. I learn that all the things on my card wasn’t on it but nobody took the time to tell me the only thing I can tell everyone is to make sure the doc. office gets in right !!
ok im having a very serious problem with this i personally mailed my boyfriend letter and copy of his medical cert card and he received a letter stating that his cdl has been revoked and when i try calling we dont get a call back i trying calling again and the mailbox is full………i mailed these papers over a month before they stated that they were due and now i cant even get an answer or a call back this is unprofessional or a very unorganized program or processes
I’m thoroughly outraged to have recently received a letter informing me that my driver’s license has been cancelled. I followed all of your regulations by faxing your office a copy of my medical certification 24 days before it was due. The requirements in your letter to me were “EITHER by FAX to (615)401-7674, OR email to DI.CDL.Medcert@tn.gov(.pdf files only) OR mail to the below listed address(must be received before DECEMBER 14, 2013). Now I’m told that to reinstate my license I have to pay you $75.00 before you will act. I’ve tried calling the number you have listed in your letter (615.687-2312) to which there is no response. I’ve done everything as requested by the state of Tennessee but the state of Tennessee has SEVERELY dropped the ball and is now trying to charge me money to which is hard earned money. i feel i’m being victimized by greedy government.