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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
June 23, 2025: FMCSA electronic reporting requirements for DOT Medical Certificates will be fully enforced.
See detailed information at FMCSA Medical Examiner Certificate Reporting Requirements for CDL Drivers
CDL Drivers
The good news:
• You no longer have to go through the hassles of updating your medical card with your SDLA.
• You no longer have to carry your medical card with you.
Is there ‘not so good’ news?
Safeguard your CDL! How does the new DOT Medical Certificate reporting process affect your CDL?
Non-CDL Drivers
The electronic reporting requirements do not affect non-CDL drivers.
• The medical examiner must give you a physical MEC Form MCSA-5876.
• You should keep your medical certificate available at all times whilst driving a CMV.
• You will still need to provide a copy of the MEC to the companies you work for.
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 was hired in Nov of 2014 by my current company. Took dot physical and mailed in the paperwork to Sacramento. My previous dot card was good until June 13 of this year. I just got notified by can DMV that my dot card is expired and must submit paperwork for new physical. Apparently they never got my letter. Just wondering if my licence can be suspended or downgraded for their mistake/oversight of not logging my current physical? Should i wait drive even though my current one is up to date, but in their system its expired? I have copies of current one on me but cannot get to a DMV in Cali because I took leave of absence from work to care for my mom.
@Natalie
In California, your divers license is dead/invalid. So to push the issue is only going to make things worse. Check with the Drivers License Department to make a decision as to what you need to do next. If they lost your stuff, then you need to support that you did your part. Or get a valid medical certificate and take it to them to have your driver’s license turned back on.
Do to bad luck, timing and just plain life. My medicalcard expired on June 3rd. I have a Class B and I didn’t think it it expired till the end of the month.
If I go in now and take the med test. Will it go through? I’m just wondering if it goes back to class c, how long that takes, or if my license is revoked. I’m not going to spend a hundred bucks for an exam if I have to take all those dmv tests again.
Thank you.
@SharkyRivethead
You’ll need to check with your state Drivers License Department to answer this question. Each state is different and most states are running a little behind on the CLD medical card information entering into the main system. If you are in California, then it’s one thing and if you are in Georgia, it’s another.
So check with your local state Drivers License Department.
Will i take any written or driving test from DMV upon renewal of my CDL on Jan.2016 since i had 3 traffic violations. The first was in 2007,..second was May 2014 but i was able to go thru an online schooling on this one. And lastly is of this month 2015 for 10 miles over the speed limit.I need some answers pls.
does calif give you a green med card. my last med examination they just gave me receipt.
@Jose
Not real sure. California and Michigan have started tying the driver’s medical certificate and their license together.
If you are running interstate, you may still need a copy of your medical card.
California has started discontinuing the green card, but FMCSA is still requesting that the CME’s still provide a medical card for the drivers. I would check with the California DLD to make the final determination.
No green card anymore, just a white piece of paper. Pain in the butt!! DMV no longer carries card or paper, your medical examiner should have them. Wish they never changed procedure!!
In August my husband turned in his medical paperwork. This morning I found the paperwork……sent him into a panic when he realized he never received a medical card. Are you saying if someone ran his CDL his medical certificate shows up?
Thank you!
@Tammy
Yes, and he should check with his state drivers license department to determine if he still has a valid drivers license. Some states are killing the entire drivers license.
I have moved out of CA., medical card expired. Now trying to get a license from the state now living in,told CA. will not let me get new license because medical card has expired. Need help with this matter.
@Lenny
This one is between your new state DLD and the beautiful state of californication.
So what does the new state require for you to transfer the CA license? Your california license went dead in the water at midnight of your medical card expiration. One possibility is to get a new DOT medical examination done and send it to california to update their data and then transfer. ***Make sure you have the new examination done on a CA form.
I had my primary care doctor do my physical. I don’t believe they have the certificate for the driver to carry and the dmv gave me nothing as well.. My employer wants a certificate, I have the original copy of the physical but they’re saying that’s no good..,
Dmv is telling me a card is no longer needed and its all digital.. I had a Chp officer run my DL and all my info was there.. Any suggestions??
@Mark
Your examining doctor must provide a medical card for you to carry. The state DMV does not do this. So go back to the examiner and get your copy from him. If your medical examination was done since May 21, 2104, the examining doctor must be a Certified Medical Examiner.
You should carry a copy of your medical certificate with you at all times that you are driving.
I understand that all state have different license.I am from a U.S Territory and my drivers license saids class chauffeurs and endorsement A B.I have a medical card and Twic id.I wanted to know how do i go about getting a california license.would I still keep my Class B or i would need to take atest again.
@Joey
Sorry we can’t help you on this question. You’ll need to contact CA Drivers License Department about this.
My medical expires in a couple days and I’ve been off work since October 2014. Due to an accident “not at fault ” what do I do to keep my license
@Lonnie
You should check with your driver’s license department and explain your situation. They will be the ones to answer this question.