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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! —
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updated 11/13/18
I have class B license. I am not driving any public transport at this moment.
My medical certificate expired. Do I have to renew it? Because I belive I do not have any plan on driving comercial vehicle anymore.
So, can I drive my private car with my class B license without renewing the medical?
@ Sha
You will need to check with your states drivers license department. Most states require a medical card to maintain a valid cdl. Or just downgrade your cdl to a regular drivers license and no medical card is needed.
How early before it expires can I submit my new medical forms? My CDL medical doesn’t expire until January 2023, but I have to take a couple physicals for other job certs this month. Can I submit my DOT medical forms six months before they expire?
Thanks!
@ Bret
Yes.
Does a dot medical have to paid for by the company? Can I get a dot medical from a private Doctor that is Licensed to do dot medical’s?
@ Thomas M
Most drivers get their own DOT medical certifications via a private CME. Company CME’s work for the company and have the companies agenda in mind.
I’m drive a company Ford F350 with DOT Number on the door. I almost never tow and if I do it’s with a 9900GVRW trailer and pretty light loads. I never go above 8000GVRW. My company believes I need a dot health test test/certificate. I don’t, does anyone know?
@ Jason W
Your vehicle is being used for commerce and in most states that requires a medical card/physical. Confirm with your states drivers license department.
I have 2 DOT medical cards, how can I cancel one ?
@ Steve
When you had your second medical examination done, it canceled the first one. You do not need to do anything.
Can I still drive with an expired medical card until the deadline on October 31.
@ Joey
Probably, but why chance it.
Im studying to apply for a Class A CDL in California for intrastate use only. Do I need to complete any kind of medical certification prior to taking my learners permit test?
@ Felipe
Check with your local drivers license department for guidance and confirmation of their process’s.
My medical card expired in November 2021 it is now April 2022 I have not been operating a commercial vehicle so I was not concerned though I do not wanna lose my license do I have a timeline do I need to renew my medical card before my license expires or did I already miss my opportunity I do plan on getting back behind the wheel so I guess now is the time or is it too late
@ Jason k
Best to check with your local drivers license department to determine if you still have a valid cdl. We recommend you have a fresh medical certification card in hand, just in case.