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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
Hi, one of my friend’s CDL medical exam expired in 2021. Does he able to renew the medical exam or he has to go through the whole cdl driving test?????‘thank you
@ Naresh
CDL’s are a state issued document, so check with your local drivers license department (DLD) for guidance.
They should be considerate to the fact that any bodybuilder will be big everywhere especially in neck erea.
Shoulder shrugs/ upright rows
Can a family member register my medical certificate at the dmv for me?
@ Francisco
Most likely, but confirm with your local drivers license department.
Can i get my cdl PERMIT before my DOT PHYSICAL
@ Diega
Check with your local drivers license department (DLD) for their procedure.
Hello. I’m in California. I have class A but now do not drive class A vehicles at this time in my current position. I would like to retain the license for future jobs requiring it. If I discontinue medical exams, will I still retain the license and what requirements will I need should I go back to driving class A vehicles? Thank you!
@ Jason M
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a class A cdl. We believe that California will suspend your A cdl if they do not have a valid medical card. Confirm with your local DLD.
I live in California and haven’t driven in over twenty 20 years. All I have to do to maintain my class A is When my license is up for renewel I get the DOT physical before my incense expires.
CA CDL Holder, Interstate Operator
Do we still need to carry a copy of our medical exam/ card?
I remember something about after 15 days we didn’t need to carry it. any help appreciated.
@ Yohan V
That is still a DOT/FMCSA pipe dream, keep carrying your medical card.
If my Medical Card expiring on 02/01/2023. Am I be able to work on 02/01/2023? or Does it expires on this day?
@ Relly R
Your card is valid until midnight of the expiration date.
If my DOT Medical exam is over a month expired, does that mean I’d have to re-test for my CDL?
@ Dave
Highly unlikely, but confirm with your local DLD.