Click to find DOT physical locations in CALIFORNIA
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
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.
Go to the Questions and Comments box below and post your feedback.
! To save us all from zombie spammers, your feedback will not appear on this page until it has been approved. Visit this page again soon to see your comment, and others too.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
updated 11/13/18
I currently hold a California class A license. It’s time for my medical card to be renewed. I passed everything but the vision test (in one eye). I read that Calif. doesn’t issue variances or exemptions so, if I can’t pass the eye exam by the time it’s due, will I permanently loose the Class A or is it just suspended until I submit a “passed exam”. I am trying to avoid taking all those dmv tests to reinstate my class A license.
@ Anne
Your best answer will come from your local drivers license department.
I have a cdl from california I was trying to renew my medicalin Texas but They will not update it because I am not a permanent resident of Texas they said I have to go back to California to update it anyway around this
@ Jon U
You have to update your medical card information with the state that your cdl is issued. Get your information to someone, ( wife, friend, relative) in California and have them take it in to CA. DLD.
I retired from Driving last year and decided not to have a medical exam and just let my class A expire. Will this have an affect on my ability to drive my car? Will I still have a license to drive?
@ Johnny G
California has some odd rules and regulations. You really need to talk with your local drivers license department for their answer.
I got my last medical done about 2.5 years ago and since I wasn’t driving anymore I did not get it done after that. Today (1/11/2022) I went dmv to renew my license and I was asked to get medical done or drop my class a license. I choose to get the medical done just in case. I don’t think I will be getting it done every year though.
If you are in California your Class A or B license is still good until your current license expires, and it might be the same in other states as well. You just can’t drive a commercial vehicle ( Class A or B ) any longer unless you renew your medical card. When your driver’s license expires you just need to renew it as a Class C.
There are certain non commercial vehicles such as larger motor homes or even certain pick up trucks ( dualies ) that pull trailers at a certain GVW that you might need to have a restricted Class A or B license ( no medical card ) so if you ever decided to buy a larger motor home to travel around in, still having your Class A is a positive.
@ Tom
Because each state is different, make sure you confirm this information with your states drivers license department.
Hi, I have a Class C CDL with Hazmat in California. I had a two-year med card then was diagnosed with diabetes requiring insulin. I met the guidelines and was given a one year card. My card is due again and wondering if requirements have changed since last year. My A1C is 6.5
@ John C
You are a class C cdl holder and fall under your states guidelines and regulations, not DOT/FMCSA. Check with your local drivers license department for the most up to date answer.
I currently am on Methadone for an addiction. I have a dr that prescribed it. I’m currently in the process of going down to get off of it. I was offered a job opportunity but it requires me to get my CDL class B. Can I get it still if I have a note stating I’m in treatment and I’m drug tested regularly through themM
@ Chris
A class B cdl license puts you under the states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Check with your local drivers license department
I failed my commercial dot drug test for my B licence
my random drug test came back positive
can i stil continue driving my car
@ Ben B
As a class B license, you fall under your states regulations, not DOT/FMCSA. Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer
I have CA state issued CDL. Some years back, I was given the option to reatain the Class A without a valid Med. Cert. on file with CA DMV.
Now I have to renew my CDL and want to retain the same status (CDL with no current Med. Cert on file) but no one at the DMV knows about the rule and Im told to get a med. cert.
I do not want to lose the CDL in case I have to drive again (covid-19, economy fluctuation, etc. etc.) since it is difficult and costly to get it reinstated and get re-certified in CA once you revert back to a Class C.
What options do U have
@ Daniel
Best bet, get a valid medical card and have it registered with the state. That will save you time and frustration.
I would like to get a California or a federal DOT Medical waiver but when I got in line or call the dmv about the card I find nothing it would help if I knew the process on getting it . Because I would like to be a truck driver.
@ Kevin W
Depending on your medical issues, you may or may not need a medical waiver. Check first with your local drivers license department for guidance. The state may require a DOT medical card that has failed, due to medical conditions, but pass the states requirements.