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Alabama CDL Requirements
All Alabama CDL holders are required to certify the type of commercial operation they’re engaged in.
Interstate Non-Excepted
If you choose Non-Excepted Interstate, you must, in addition to a completed self-certified application, provide the DPS with a current Federal DOT medical certificate.
Failure to submit the required forms to the Alabama Department of Public Safety will result in the cancellation of your commercial driver license.
Submit your Medical Certificate to Alabama DPS
Submit a copy of your valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876.
By Mail:
Alabama Department of Public Safety
Driver License Division
CDL Unit
P.O. Box 1471
Montgomery, AL 36102-1471
or
Use online services to view or submit your DOT Medical Card or Self-Certification.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Drivers License Online Services
Disclaimer
Your DOT Medical Card needs to be submitted before the current one on file expires. To avoid any overlap with your driving privilege, it is recommended to submit it at least 2 weeks prior to the expiration date.
Expiration:
If your medical card expires, and you haven’t renewed it, Alabama DPS will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate commerce. If a current medical examiners certificate and if applicable the variance (waiver) is not received within 45 days all your CDL privileges will be removed from your license.
Other Information:
Link for Alabama CDL Frequently Asked Questions
Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES
June 23, 2025: FMCSA electronic reporting requirements for DOT Medical Certificates will be fully enforced.
See detailed information at FMCSA Medical Examiner Certificate Reporting Requirements for CDL Drivers
CDL Drivers
The good news:
• You no longer have to go through the hassles of updating your medical card with your SDLA.
• You no longer have to carry your medical card with you.
Is there ‘not so good’ news?
Safeguard your CDL! How does the new DOT Medical Certificate reporting process affect your CDL?
Non-CDL Drivers
The electronic reporting requirements do not affect non-CDL drivers.
• The medical examiner must give you a physical MEC Form MCSA-5876.
• You should keep your medical certificate available at all times whilst driving a CMV.
• You will still need to provide a copy of the MEC to the companies you work for.
Your Feedback Is Welcome
Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
But when it comes to State Regulations — There are 50 different sets of rules. Someone could move the goal posts at any time…
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information updated 3/15/2023
how can I find out if im in the system for my medical card? I have called every number made available,no respond. please help
I have just started my own trucking business, I went and had a physical and drug test set up by my MCC. Got my medical examiner’s certificate went and handed it to the AL. DMV took my written test and passed, got a CDL permit and went and took my road test and passed. went back and got my CDL/A license everytime issued MEC to officer and they processed my info . Now I have a CDL and the Alabama Department of Public Safety has sent me a letter stating that they are going to cancel my CDL in Dec. I have not even had these license a week and now they want me to issue a copy of my MEC to them or my CDL’s will be cancelled and I have to purchase a class d license on my expense. This is so wrong so what do I do now
@Michael
Check with your DMV. It sounds like things crossed in the mail and one office is not talking to the other. Check and make sure that everyone has what they need to keep you going.
You evidently went past your mec expiration date. Check and see. Surely it took you a while to do all that, some expire in a year if your blood pressure was high
It happened to me too.
http://dps.alabama.gov/Documents/Forms/CDLSelfCertificationAffidavit.pdf
Circle yes on the first line for interstate CDL and send in copies to the fax number provided.
had cancer cured my health card good now need to get new one I do have a feeding tube is this gong to be problem with getting new med card
@Ronnie
As long as you qualify as a driver “physically fit for duty”, then you should have no major issues.
Make sure you have your primary doctor completes your medical release form for you before you go for your DOT examination. That will answer many of the CME’s questions.
i have been taking Norco 10/325 for 4 or 5 years (4 per day) and Tramadol (2 per day) , I never experienced any side effects any of that is listed on the paper work sent by the Drug-est, in fact it energizes me. I am 80 years old in good heath, I passed the DOT Physical by a MD but found out she was not on the National Register. Never experienced high blood pressure. But my primary care Doctor will not sigh of on afraid that if I had accident it would backfire on him and get him sued. He has been my primary care Doctor for 30 or more years (that may be a probland for other doctors). I do not know what to do about that?
@Walter
Very first question, is your primary on the NRCME? If not, he can’t do your medical card anyway.
If he is, then he should be able to determine whether you are safe to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
If you have to go to a NRCME examiner, then make sure you have your medical release form completed by your primary and let the CME determine if you are medically fit for duty. That takes your primary out of the equation.
I put intrastate instead of non excepted intrastate can I change it too non excepted intrastate still after making that mistake I’m a new driver and live in Alabama
@Steve
Your self certification occurs with your local/state DLD. Check with them and see what it will take to make the change, it should be very easy.
I have type 2 diabetes. I am not on insulin. One pill twice a day. I let my A1C get too high back in May. It got to 10.2. Today I had it checked and now is down to 9.0. My license to going to be cancelled on 08/17/2014 because I have not gotten my health card renewed. I was trying to get my A1C down first. Can I get a short time extension on my license or health card while I am getting my A1C back down below 8.0? Thanks.
@Bill
Get a medical release form completed by your primary healthcare provider and take it with you to your DOT medical examination. That may provide enough information to the examiner to get you a short term card. Good Luck.
If you are an insulin dependent diabetic in the state of alabama can you get a cdl license?
@Tim
You would have to get an insulin diabetic waiver from the FMCSA to drive interstate.
I am not sure about traveling intra-state only. Check with your state DVM they can answer your specific question.
I have faxed and mail a copy of my DOT medical info., how can I find out if the Alabama Publc safety has recieved it.i did that on 6/30/14. They had sent me a letter saying they was going to take my CDL away by 8/15/14 if they did not get it by then