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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
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
What happens ro my cdl if i dont renew my medical exam? And do i still have a class c drivers license? Where is this info shown on the dmv website.
@ Mario
Most states downgrade your cdl to a class c, but some states, like California, may suspend your license completely. Check with the states drivers license department for your best answer.
California will suspend your license.. the only state that really needs your money
Do I need to renew my DOT certificate to keep my CDL even though I don’t drive commercial vehicle anymore?
Yes!! If you let it go, within 6 months if you decide to get it back, you are not required to retest. But if you go beyond, you will have to start all over again
I had my CDL experience in 2003. Do need to take a drivers school again or ca I just go through the permit process and renew my CDL with taking the written and drivers on the road test?
Thank you
@ Raul
All cdl’s are state issued and need to comply with the states rules and regulations. Best answer will come from your states drivers license department.
Do you need a medical card if your operating under 26k with a class c license. In California. No interstate travel.
@ Ben
You need to check with the state of California drivers license department to determine their requirements.
If your CDL medical card expires in California is there a grace period to renew it before suspension of priviledges.
@ Terry S
California has a very strict standing on valid medical cards and your cdl. At midnight of the expiration date of your medical card, your California cdl driving license is suspended until a valid medical card is put on record.
What happens when the DMV is closed due to the pandemic ?
@ George C
Check the state’s website to determine what other measures you have to get the information to the state. It may be a fax # or a e-mail address that allows you to contact them.
And…
FMCSA has put in place a grace period for expired or expiring medical cards. Check the information at the link to see if you qualify for the grace period.
In California, there is no grace period.. if you mail it in, will take the full 3 weeks to get updated, so your driving privileges will be suspended until then, even if you drive your personal car, your license is suspended. Other states will down grade so you can legally drive your car
hello,
I was going through the scale house as i entered into Colorado and got pulled in. during inspection the office noted that my license is suspended due to my medical being out dated, I have a CA license commercial. I showed my updated DOT medical and told the office that i was told that the by the doctor that they mail in the copies. NOW I am “out of service” with a load that has to deliver tomorrow morning. Can I call in and email or fax the doctors medical papers to get my license reinstated so i can continue on my way?
@ Keith
You need to check with Calif. DLD for the best way to go about fixing this issue.
Can i get a copy of my 4 page medical from DMV ?
@ Miurel B
You should have been given a copy when you did the examination and received your medical card. Check with the examiners office, not DMV.
I already have a valid COMM. A license in the state of CA. My med. cert.is expired. DMV has already notified me that my license is still valid and to get a renewal. My dilemma is that I have misplace or lost my license. My question is , do I have to bring proof from DMV to the DOT exam to be allowed to take the exam or Do I just go take the exam and present the certificate to DMV when I pass it , so they can issue my duplicate license..? Thank you in advance for your feedback. I hope to hear a reply from you soon…
@ Gregory D’S F
You will need some way to provide a copy or proof of a valid drivers license before taking the medical certification examination. The examiner must have the information before he can provide a valid medical card for you.
Do I need anything from the dmv when got to get dot physical
@ Andrew B
Just a drivers license.