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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
I sent in my medical examiner form that my physician signed to the appropriate dmv adress. It’s been weeks and my license is still suspended. Is there any number I can call to speed up the process or check the status of my information?
Thank you
@ Brianna
If you were running close on your medical card expiration date, then California wants you to bring your forms in person. Otherwise you need to find a contact for Calif. DLD.
I let my medical certificate expire in 2018 and my license exp date is Nov 2022. I’m in California ,If I get a new medical exam and pass does my class B automatically reinstate – also I was led to believe that if my medical certificate expired that my license instantly becomes a class C while others are saying my license becomes suspended completely. Which is the case ?
@ Mark
You want to confirm with CA. drivers license department. We do know that a class A cdl is suspended at midnight of the medical card expiration date. You are a class B, so it may be different. Confirm with CA. DLD for best information.
So as they are telling people to stay home, I have to go to the doctors where covid 19 hangs out risk catching the deadly virus to show DMV that im healthy. REALLY.
AND I will be going to DMV to turn in my medical report. So good luck to all.
@ RUSS
Just wear your mask, social distance, wash your hands a lot, keeping your hands away from your face, and you’ll be fine REALLY
But REALLY there is no guarantee. Would bet your life on it or just mine.
@ RUSS
We would bet our life on it. Really
My DOT will expired on April 25,2021 but currently right now I’m with my in Korea under her orders, we are about to be back soon but by the time we be out from mandatory 2weeks quarantine my DOT will expired already. My questions is since I’m on her military orders is their an exception for me on that one? Or do I need to that on time?
@ Bernadette H
Best bet is to have the DOT medical card done before your expiration date. But with your situation we would suggest the moment you can go for a new DOT medical certificate, do so and get it turned into the states ASAP. Most states will not downgrade you with your particular situation. Confirm with your states drivers license department.
Question. I went to the dmv here in california to have my cdl reinstated. I was told i needed to get my medical card renewed. I know its expired and california has strict rules. But by them asking me to get a new medical card does that mean they waived the lengthy expiration on my medical card.
@ Jerry
That is a state related question. Check with your local dmv.
I need to renew my DL and I used to be a commercial driver. However, I am no longer driving commercially. Do i still need to have a current MER and MEC on file?
@ Jon K
Your drivers license is state issued and each state has different rules and guidelines. Check with your state drivers license department for your best answer.
I have a CDL in California. Can I take the take medical exam in Nevada and turn in the form in Nevada DMV?
@ Ralph
No, California DMV must receive a copy of your new medical card before it will validate your license.
If i live in california can i renew my cdl medical card in another state???
Yes. The doctor must be registered in the national registry. It doesn’t matter what state.
What’s the earliest I can take my DOT exam before the due date.
@ Steve
Anytime you want. The new medical card just cancels the old card. Also, make sure you get the information that your state may want, like a copy of the new card, etc.