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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.
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.
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updated 11/13/18
I am 18 yrs old and passed the medical examination for federal commercial license but I’m too young to get certified. What do I do?
Hi I need to submit my medical certificate and report. I tried to do it online. It didn’t work. Can I do it at the kiosk?
Can I submit my DOT exam for my Ambulance drivers lic online?
@ Suzanne
Most likely, get with your local drivers license department for guidance.
As a “Intrastate” Class A CA driver, is it a requirement to get a sleep apnea test done when getting your medical card? Or is it only a requirement for “Interstate” drivers who cross state lines?
@ Moe T
Sleep studies are only required if the driver shows multiple signs and symptoms of OSA. It is not a requirement by DOT/FMCSA. It falls to the medical examiner to make the request. If you have no sings of daytime sleepiness or other symptoms, then there is no reason for the request. Neck size and body mass index are only initial indicators.
Do non CDL drivers need a Med Card in CA? They drive box trucks, flatbed, with gross over 10k
@ S.B
Confirm this with your local DLD. Most states require a valid medical card, even for non cdl drivers, for any driver/vehicle that is used for commerce (to make $ for someone).
My Class A medical certificate expired on December 5, 2023. I know I’m down graded to a Class C license. How long do I have to get my medical exam? I don’t want my Class A license suspended.
@ Vincent J. C
Best to get it done ASAP to avoid any further action against
your cdl. There isn’t a grace period, only the state running behind on getting information into their system. Get a copy of your medical card to your local DLD ASAP.
I am a non-CDL, but I just noticed that on my DOT med card, the box asking if you are CDL is checked as yes. Does this in validate my med card? Do I need to correct and how do I do that?
@ J. L
It should not invalidate your medical card and it needs to be corrected. Best get in touch with the facility that did the examination and have them correct their error.