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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…
To help us all avoid the black eye experience — AARGH! —
Please leave your feedback about your experience in this State.
Go to the Questions and Comments box below and post your feedback.
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information updated 3/15/2023
I just recently took a dot physical my doctor asked if I was still on a cpap i took a study 4 years ago and no one said i had to have it so the doctor said I had to take another study to get the physical dot card i have and the study said i was healthier now than 4 years ago but said i was on the bubble and but me on a cpap i don’t drive much because im a supervisor for a small school in Alabama my question is can i get a regular physical and only drive in state or do i have to have a dot physical and use the cpap that’s making me lose more sleep than when I didn’t have it
@ James D M
You are not a class A driver and should not have been held to a class A drivers standards, the CME should have known better. DOT/FMCSA does not require or demand a sleep study unless there are a multitude of signs and symptoms. Go else where and get your DOT physical and explain before hand that you are a school bus supervisor. You fall under the states variances and regulations, not DOT/FMCSA.
Thank you so much i haven’t been able to get a straight answer
Hey so it was time to renew my drivers license and they said they couldn’t do it because i haven’t done my DOT physical in the past few years i no longer drive a truck iv been out of a truck for 4 years… what should I do
@ Brandon T H
Best bet, if you are not going back to driving with a cdl, is to downgrade to a lower class license. If you want to keep your cdl, then you will need a DOT/FMCSA medical card.
I have tried to email a copy of an employee’s CDL Medical Certification to the email that I found on the internet. – cdlmedicalmerger@dps.alabama.gov …….It kept coming back as the domain being invalid – dps.alabama.gov. Can you give me the correct email address?
@ Tena S
You’ll have to check with the states cdl department for the most recent and useful email address.
ok, Thank you
My husband recently had an exam to renew his medical card. The doctor’s office gave him the form MCSA-5875 and his medical card. My question is what to do with the Form MCSA-5875? Was it given to him just to keep on file or am I supposed to do something with it?
@ Nancy
File it in a safe place, just in case.
Had to mail mine to the State Nancy, Doc. Doesn’t do it.Call the State DOT.
Can I email my dot physical forms to the state of Alabama
@ Resia B
Check with your local drivers license department for the answer.
Is there a list of medication that disqualifies you from obtaining your CDLs
@ Scotty S
CDL’s are state issued, check with your state drivers license department for the best answer.
I currently have a Class B license with both a passenger and school bus endorsement. I’m currently not driving but do wish to keep my license active, as I may volunteer to drive buses at church. My health card is about to expire. Does anyone know if I can change my self-certification from interstate over to excepted intrastate commerce and still have to get a new health card?
@ Jonathan V
In most states you would still need a new DOT physical. Check with your local DLD for questions regarding your states requirements.
Does a nurse practitioner who is certified to do DOT exams in the State of Alabama need a Medical Doctor’s signature on the DOT medical certificate? What other states would this apply to?
@ Ansley L
If the nurse practitioner is on the FMCSA registry, then she is certified to issue a valid medical card to drivers from all states.
HELLO I AM A NEW DRIVER AND I WAS NOT AWARE OF YOUR CDL ARE DROP FROM CLASS A TO CLASS D IF YOUR MEDICAL DOT CARD IS NOT UPDATED WHAT HAPPENS NOW
@ Tyeshia
You need to deal with your local drivers license department for your answer. In most cases all you need is a new, valid medical card to have your class A reinstated.
I have submitted my new health card via fax by the number listed on here and I got a letter from the state stating that if I didn’t send in my health card they was going to pull my cdl. So I have since sent it again. How do I follow up to make sure you got it?
@ David
Call your local drivers license department and ask if they got it and did they put it into the system.