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Arkansas CDL Requirements
All CDL drivers in the State of Arkansas are required to have a valid DOT medical card, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Self-Certification Process
Submit the following two documents:
- State of Arkansas Self-Certification Affidavit – download the form here from Arkansas DFA.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical certificate (Medical card only, not the long form.) Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
Safety Responsibility
Ragland Building, Room 1120
P.O. Box 1272
Little Rock, AR 72203
By Fax:
(501) 682-2100
In Person:
At any Arkansas Revenue Office
Other Contact Information:
Website: Arkansas DFA Driver Services
CDL Medical Certification Requirements FAQ
Questions: If you need additional information call 501-682-7100 and ask for a medical certification customer service representative.
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.
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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Can i add dot phisical to my cdl on line or do i have to do it at dmv also how long do i have to add to cdl after dot phisical
@ Jeff g
That is something you will need to check with your local drivers license department (DLD) for guidance on.
I have a valid dot health card but i got it before i had a cdl it hasnt expired yet now that i have a cdl do i need to go have a new health card made that says cdl/cpl driver?
After CABG a yearly echo stress test on a treadmill is required in the state of Arkansas for a medical certificate renewal.
Is a chemical heart stress test acceptable in place of an echo stress on a treadmill for medical certificate renewal?
@ James C
DOT/FMCSA class A, stress test every two years. Lesser class cdl’s fall under the state requirement and guidelines. You will need to check with your local DLD for guidance. DOT/FMCSA would like to see a treadmill stress test, but with proper documentation a chemical stress test may be accepted.
What is the name or form number for Arkansas medical card exemption form?
@ Charles
That information will come from your states drivers license department, check with them on this issue.
If you hold a CDL in Arkansas with a P/S endorsement but are currently not driving any CDL required vehicles do you have to maintain a DOT/School Bus Driver Physical? If so, what law states that. Please do not say ask DMV no answers there
@ Trish
CDL, school bus drivers, fall under the states guidelines and variances, not Federal DOT/FMCSA. So, unfortunately your best answer must come from your local drivers license department.
I’ve been out of the driver’s seat for over 2yrs now..last 2time for phiysical has been the BMI factor…I’m 360lbs….I’m muscular but my guts packing wieght…wieght loss ain’t happening…thy won’t give me a med card to drive…I’ve never had sleep apnea…but my eyes get tired even after 15 minutes or so of driving, a 10min or 30min cat nap an I’m fine…but last 20 yrs that’s all I’ve done…I can’t stand all day or night in a factory job, almost out of mo ey an I need my driving job back…..it ain’t right…is there some kind of new rules set for over wieght people cuase I see alot of fat body’s out there diving….
@ Greg D
DOT/FMCSA does not have a mandatory sleep apnea testing program unless the driver presents with a multitude of signs and symptoms. So bmi is not the only factor present to warrant a sleep study. 360 lbs is a lot of muscle, but it does set off the first set of alarms with the CME.
Hey my name is Damien I currently have a DOT physical card but it is EXCEPTED INTERSTATE but I’m no longer in Arkansas I actually have a job opportunity but they are telling me that my DOT physical card needs to say Interstate non-excepted so I was wondering how do I get that changed.
@ Damien H
Check with your last DOT medical examiner and explain your issue, he should be able to guide you from there.
Can I get a medical dot card to drive in state with a difibulator and pace maker ?
@ Larry T
Check with your local DLD. In most states, yes.
Does the medical examiner do a prescription check on the national data base
@ Dean
If he has questions, then yes he can.
In Arkansas..how long can your med card be expired before you have to retest for CDL?
@ Johnny B
That is up to the state to make the determination, check with DLD.
Does the state of Arkansas require Medical Certification for intrastate drivers of vehicles weighing between 10,001 and 26,000 pounds?
@ Brini M
Check with the AR. drivers license department for the best answer.
Does everyone that drives a company vehicle have to have A DOT physical
@ Renee
In most states it is required that a driver operating a company vehicle have a valid medical card.
Can u get an extention on ur dot physical or do u have to renew it on the day it goes out
My question is my medical card exp on the 23 of Jan and I can’t get in till a day or two after that to get a new one but I’m not driving a truck at all at this time will they take my cdl class a or what
@Pierce
Each state treats this process differently. Only people who can confirm your question are the folks at you local DMV. Call them and see if they can make a note on your file if there might be a problem.
Does the Medical Card have to be on person or as long as it is in the truck? The new medical cards are huge and my guys are complaining about making their wallets bulky.
@Maranda
Unfortunately the new medical cards cannot be reduced in size to credit card size as they become illegible. As long as the driver can produce the card when asked for it, having it in the truck should not be a problem.
Do the addresses have to be the same on cdl and medical card? I was visiting my brother and put down his adress because I do get mail there instead of my Arkansas address. My medical card had expired and I needed to get it renewed.
@Melvin
It is always nice and does not leave room for DOT questions about the difference in address, but it does not really matter. Your present medical card is valid and should not cause any problems.
If I drive local in state do I have to have a medical card. I have a valid cdl but my medical card is expired and I did register my card but it has expired.
@Robert
Most states are now requiring a valid medical card if you are going to maintain your commercial drivers license.
Check with your state DLD to confirm that you need a valid medical certificate to keep you CDL.
I have a new medical card but have forgotten to turn it in can I still keep my class a license if I turn it it in promptly
@Raymond
You’ll need to check the current status of your CDL with your local drivers license department. And ‘yes’ submit a copy of your medical card asap.
Aside from running MVR’s to see if a driver has certified his/her medical examiners certificate with the state of Arkansas, is there a site carriers can use to simply check the status of a license without paying for a full report? Several states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin have wonderful sites where carriers can at least check the status when checking to verify a driver has complied with the new medical certification requirements.