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You are here: Home / California CDL and DOT Medical Card Requirements
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California CDL Requirements

California law requires all CDL drivers to meet Federal Motor Carrier qualification requirements under 49 CFR part 391 and have a valid DOT medical card.

  • Non-Excepted Interstate 
    You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
  • Non-Excepted Intrastate 
    You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.

California does not have any State variances or exemptions from the federal physical standards. A commercial driver who does not pass the medical examination may qualify for a California intrastate restricted medical certificate (DL 51B). These drivers must submit a MER to DMV showing they did not pass the medical examination in order to be considered for an intrastate restricted medical certificate.

  • Excepted
    California does not issue a commercial driver license that is “Excepted” from driver qualification requirements.

 

Medical Certificate Renewal

Drivers renewing their medical certificate may mail a copy of their forms MCSA-5875 and MCSA-5876.

Mail the completed MER and MEC to the address below at least four weeks prior to the expiration of your previous medical or your privilege to drive commercial motor vehicles could become invalid.

When submitting the MER, you are only required to submit pages 1-4. Page 5 of the MER addresses meeting medical standards with a State variance. A State variance would exempt a driver from the federal physical standards. California does not have any State variances or exemptions from the federal physical standards.

Mail to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
CDL Unit, G204
P.O. Box 944278
Sacramento, CA 94244-2780

 

Other Contact Information:
California Department of Motor Vehicles website: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

California DMV Commercial Driver License information: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/commercial/commercial

CDL Helpdesk: 916-657-5771 or 916-657-5772

Other Info (California Only):
If you are required to have a commercial driver license as part of your job, your employer shall pay the cost of the examination unless it was taken before you applied for the job (Labor Code §231).

 

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.

driver feedbackYour 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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P.S. Your email address will not be published.

NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.


updated 11/13/18

Comments

  1. Connie says

    January 15, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    Can you drop off your DOT medical forms at AAA?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      January 16, 2023 at 9:23 am

      @ Connie
      For what purpose would you drop your paper work, which needs to go to the state, at an insurance facility?
      We suspect the best answer is NO. But confirm with your local DLD.

      Reply
      • JD T says

        January 16, 2023 at 7:43 pm

        Most AAA insurance offices offer limited DMV services. They have for years. They do not handle commercial licensing needs of any kind however.

        Reply
  2. Josh W says

    January 13, 2023 at 2:16 pm

    If I get a new DOT physical that expires sooner than what’s already listed on my driving record, do I still have to submit the new physical paperwork, and will the driving record show the update? Just want to make sure my driver qualification file is compliant. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      January 14, 2023 at 8:50 am

      @ Josh W
      To be positive, we would recommend you talk with your local drivers license department for guidance in their procedure.

      Reply
  3. James says

    January 11, 2023 at 3:58 pm

    Can I send my wife to DMV office just to turn in my dot physical paperwork for my medical card. I took the physical and got paperwork just can’t make it in to DMV cuz working.

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      January 13, 2023 at 9:25 am

      @ James
      Most likely, yes.

      Reply
  4. Hector Z says

    January 5, 2023 at 8:13 pm

    The truck over 10,001 Lbs and under a DOT #, operates within CA INTRASTATE commerce. Does the driver need a medical card? .

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      January 6, 2023 at 9:56 am

      @ Hector Z
      Most states require a valid medical card for ANY vehicle that is being used for commerce (making $ for someone).
      Confirm this with your local drivers license department (DLD).

      Reply
  5. Hector Z says

    January 5, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    Does a non CDL driver operating within California need a medical card if the truck is over 10,001 Lbs? The truck is under a DOT # and is used for hire.

    Reply
  6. Donald a says

    December 31, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    I just hand a medical done for class B it was for two yrs. Now they say its a one year can any one explain this to me live in cali
    .

    Reply
  7. David says

    December 17, 2022 at 4:07 am

    My medical expired 3 months ago .Will I have to retake a test or just get a new physical to get my CDL good again? I am in California.

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      December 17, 2022 at 7:54 pm

      @ David
      Most likely all you will need is a new medical card. Do confirm this with your local drivers license department.

      Reply
  8. Doak S says

    December 15, 2022 at 4:08 pm

    I live in California with the class a license and I’m going the end of December to get a defibrillator what can I do to keep my class a license and still work intrastate in caif only I’ve done research and can’t find nothing on intrastate in California

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      December 16, 2022 at 6:10 am

      @ Doak S
      Where we are located, you take the DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination and pass with good health, but have an issue that requires intra-state only. Then take these findings to the state DLD and they issue the intra-state only license. Check with your local DLD.

      Reply
  9. FRANK says

    December 6, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    My DOT medical card expired last month I just passed my exam and got a new card will DMV except this card for records ?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      December 7, 2022 at 9:23 am

      @ FRANK
      Yes

      Reply
      • FRANK says

        December 7, 2022 at 1:45 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
        • Trucker Docs™ says

          December 7, 2022 at 6:15 pm

          @ FRANK
          You are welcome.

          Reply
  10. Gabe says

    November 14, 2022 at 10:00 pm

    Can I still renew my medical after it’s been more than 2 years?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      November 15, 2022 at 10:21 am

      @ Gabe
      You can get a new medical card examination anytime you want.

      Reply
  11. Jessica says

    October 26, 2022 at 5:03 pm

    How long is the grace period in California for the dot physical after the card expires ?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      October 27, 2022 at 7:01 am

      @ Jessica
      Midnight of the date of expiration on your medical card.
      DOT/FMCSA has not made a new grace period at this time.

      Reply
  12. Johnathon says

    October 11, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    Am I required to update the DMV license for a DOT physical if I’m a non CDL? California

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      October 12, 2022 at 6:28 am

      @ Johnathan
      In some states, no, but confirm with local California DLD.

      Reply
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