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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
Do I have to carry my medical card as a supplement of my DL? All the time ?
@ Ati
For most states, a class A cdl requirement is to carry your medical card at all times. Confirm this your local dld.
Can I work in California if I have the California Intrastate Restricted Medical Certificate (DL 51B) if I drive from the yard Woodland, CA to the ports of Oakland, CA, if I failed my medical exam?
@ Jethro M
If you were given the California intrastate only license after you failed the medical examination, then most likely you can drive. But confirm this fact with California drivers license department.
My husband has nerve damage and is considered Intrastate only. He was working for interstate commerce in moving cargo to Oakland ports but was stopped because he has a restriction on his license. Is there any exemption or way he can get a permit of some sort so he can work in the ports but still remain in the same state. The cargo is what crosses state line or international, not my husband physically.
@ Susana L
Federal is very picky about where cargo is coming from and going to. Check with your state licensing department, due to the fact your hubby is intra-state only. He should fall under the states variances and they may have a solution for you.
My boyfriend failed his physical due to his vision. He’s half blind from his right eye. His right eye is 2400 and his left is 20/20 vision. My boyfriend explained to him that he’s driving only on the state and not cross country. The Dr. then said “well you gave me a DOT form” not sure if there’s a specific form that he would need to pass ? My boyfriends a really good driver he’s absolutely fine so if there is a different form he needs can someone let me know what that form is please and thank you
@ Brittney
Your boyfriend falls under your states guidelines and variances, not DOT/FMCSA. Check with the states drivers license department. They should be able to issue an intra-state only cdl.
My CA class B medical certificate expires May 6th and I am not currently driving. My next job start date is uncertain and may fall anywhere between Memorial Day weekend and July 4th. Is there a grace period for renewing my medical certificate in this situation?
@ Robert E S
Your class B license is state issued, so not sure if California has any grace period for class B. Check with your local drivers license department for confirmation.
Hi,
Does the medical examiner have to be certified and posses a national Registry number to do physical exam for an INTRASTATE CDL?
@ Lette S
In most states, yes, but confirm with your state to make sure. Each state is different, so check with your states drivers license department.
hurt my back but can still drive. doctor wont pass me for renewal of med card. what can i do. im currently driving just cant lift.if my a expires do i have to get a new class c ?
@ Michael D L
DOT/FMCSA regulations do not allow for restrictions or limitations for class A drivers. Once you have fully recovered without restrictions, all you will need is a medical release to return to work. Then with a new DOT medical examination/certification card, you should be fine. If you explain your situation to the drivers license department, they should be able to guide you through their process.
I was in a bumper kiss accident. The police officers filed the forms and requested that my driver’s license being paired for medical impairment. When I was not screened counseled ticketed requested for information. And then they sent the form to the DMV saying that I was in need of medical evaluation. I work as a nurse and I’m perfectly healthy and I don’t have a commercial license. There’s no other form for just regular drivers to be medically cleared what do you do in this instance?
@ Whitney E
This is going to be a state related situation and not federal. Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.