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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.
Submit your Medical Certificate to California DMV
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
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! —
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updated 11/13/18
I took the Ca DOT drug and physical two days ago and the doctor gave me 4 forms for my doc to fill about my cancer from 20 years ago, my HIV numbers, mental eval and a medication discontinued form. She wanted them faxed to her clinic. How will I find out after she gets these forms that I passed? Is there a place I can call or website I can Visit?
@ James c
You will need to check with the medical examiners office that performed the DOT examination.
I forgot the date to when my medical card expired because my license got suspended for a year and just today I found out my medical card expired. It’s been expired for 21 days what do I do? I’m from California
@ Jose
Go get a new DOT physical and take the results to your local drivers license department.
I passed my medical and took it to dmv but was never givin back a paper copy to carry with me then my application expired so now i dont have a medical card to show for my new cdl application.what do i do?
@ Art M
You should have a copy of your medical paperwork, that should be sufficient. You might check with the examiner and ask for a copy of your medical card, which he has on file. There may be a small fee for it.
I drve a company vehicle that gvwr is 9500 lbs. It’s a Chevy 2500. I occasionally tow a generator 8 ft trailer that gvwr is 7500 lbs. I work intrastate in California. Do I need to have a medical physical for dot with my class c license. Would it be different if I had to go to Nevada or Arizona?
@ Chad
Most states require a valid medical certificate for driving a company vehicle. You want to check with California drivers license department for the best answer.
If your MER expires on Saturday 02-23-19 and you pass your MER physical exam on Friday 02-22-19, but you fail to turn in your MER physical exam paperwork at the CA DMV until Monday 02-25-19. Are you legal to operate an ambulance on Sunday 02-24-19?
@ Dave
California is pretty strict, but you are driving an ambulance. Even California has to be understanding to your situation. If you can, next time have your examination done a few days earlier
After I passed CDL medical exam do I need to bring copy to DMV or just doctor send it ?
@ Andrey
We recommend that you take/fax/e-mail a cpy to your state DMV. Doctors office may send a copy, but better safe than sorry.
In California, is there age restrictions that would require someone over the age of say 70, to get a DOT Physical every years, instead the normal two years?
@ Robert T
You will need to confirm your age related question to the state of California drivers license department. FMCSA does make a point within the guidelines to question age with cognitive abilities and physical capabilities. But does not require a yearly physical due to age alone.
Are NON CDL (class C) drivers in the state of California who operate non excepted – Intrastate commerce require a Medical Certificate? Who drive anything over 10,000 under 26,000?
Where ca I find this in on the ca.dmc.website
@ Ashly
Check with Calif. drivers license department for the best answer.
how do download the form on the dmv site