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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
Could I have my dad walk the paperwork in for me if I am out of state and can’t get to the DMV?
What is the California DOT requirement if I have to submit a cpap compliance report? Is it 30 day sleep report or 90 day?
@Lia
FMCSA regulations are 30 day compliance report.
Hello I just took my renewal physical the doctor walked into the room and ask me if I’d had a sleep apnea test. He didn’t do any part of the physical handed me a piece of paper told me to read it. He told my employer I needed a sleep apnea test does this jeopardize my job?
@Wade
No, just go to another examiner to get a second opinion / realistic based on medical health conditions.
Took my dot physical test back in January and passed. Didn’t mail or take the certification to the DMV as the medical office said it will be filed electronically. Is this true and how do I know if it was actually done?
@Matthew
The medical examiner’s office files the certification electronically to the Federal database.
It’s the driver’s responsibility to get it updated with their state DMV.
The doctor’s office may have sent it to DMV as a courtesy service, but the only way to know is to check with DMV that they have it.
What if your injured on the job and under workmancomp Doctor’s care. You can’t pass a DOT exam because your Doctor has not released you for work. Your medical card is up. What do you do then. Take your DOT exam when your released to full duty. Even after your medical card has expired for 6 months. What then ?
@Ronald
You need to contact your local drivers license department to find out the process to put things on hold until you can be medically certified again.
I’ve had my DOT card for 12 years. I have a question. I’ve been on a 10mg once a day blood pressure pill for over 12 years. When I when to dot doc yesterday a new doctor. My blood pressure was 131/83. This doctor marked that this medical certificate is only good for one year. When nothing has changed in my meds nor has my blood pressure ever been over 140 and it wasn’t over 140. In 12 years my medical report has always been good for the 2 years. His reason was for monitoring my hypertension. But my reg MD monitors my blood pressure. So is this right or has something changed.
@Corey
FMCSA wants all driver that are on blood pressure medications to be limited to one year at the time. That has been a rule for many years, you have just been dealing with examiners that didn’t know FMCSA regulations.
So I need to have an MER completed before I even set foot at the Dmv to apply for a Cdl permit ?
Thanks!
I am driving intrastate with a commercial vehicle in California only but do not need a CDL. Do I need to have a medical card?
@Darian
Yes, you need a medical card when you drive a vehicle for commerce, no matter what class drivers license you have.
So, in California and with my personal little SUV, in order for me to deliver restaurant food through Uber-eats, or deliver pizzas, I would need a med card? (I was disqualified due to migraines w/ vision deficits.)
How about working as a courier in a company car (<10,000lbs)? Am I confused about the definition of commerce? See below from the J.J. Keller web site:
"Who must have a medical exam and certificate (DOT medical card)?
The medical exam is often thought to go hand-in-hand with the CDL. Only those who need CDLs are subject to the medical exam requirements, right? Wrong! For interstate drivers, this is definitely not the case. For intrastate (in-state only) drivers, it may or may not be the case.
Those operating the following vehicles in interstate commerce need to have a DOT medical exam:
Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or gross combination weight (GCW) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 pounds or more; or
Vehicles designed to transport more than 15 people, or more than 8 people when there is direct compensation involved; or
Vehicles transporting hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded."
I thought it was saying that class "C," <10,001lbs, <8 passengers, and no HazMat does NOT need a med card?!!?
I also asked at the DMV and the CHP, and they thought I would be legal driving a "C" for an employer–but I certainly don' want to open myself to liability.
Thanks.
@ M.C.
Commercial, in most states is defined as any vehicle that is used in the production of income for someone. You only need to explain to the examiner that you will be driving a class c license vehicle and he/she should know the states variances that you would qualify under. You should not be denied a medical certification, if everything else is with in normal limits.
Does california dot phyisica require both corrected and uncorrected eye sight?
@Patrick
Yes.
My DOT physical is due July 17. It is now April 29. Is it too early for me to go and have my physical now, since DOT wants the results and report “not later than four weeks before the expiration date”? How early can I have the physical performed before my DOT physical due date?
@Eddie
Yes, you can have a new physical now and update CA DLD with the results. They are asking for at least 4 weeks notice, not less, to give them time to update their system.
What happens if you waited till it expired. Where do I take my renewal medical forms to the DMV or can I still mail them in.
@Michael
As soon as your medical card expires CA may suspend your drivers license. You best take your new medical card information into DMV as soon as possible.
If my medical card expired 2015, and I recently want to drive again, I go down and take a medical exam and take it to Dmv. Will they reinstate my CDL????
@mike
That’s up to your local drivers license department, so check with them
I have a commercial class A, but my medical card has expired over a month and a half ago. I still want to keep it updated just in case to have something to fall back on should this office job not work out for me. Will I need to retake a whole new driving test? or can I just update my medical. Is there a grace period as to how long we have until we need to go to a regular Class C license?
@AF
Only your local drivers license department can answer these questions. Each state treats this process differently.
Most likely CA has already downgraded your CDL. Best to check with them asap to see what you need to do for your CDL.
Mine expired a week ago but I took a new physical on the same day. The problem was I took it in illinoise and my cdl is California. I’m 3 days from getting home will I be shut down if I get inspected?
@ David L
If you are a California cdl holder, your cdl was suspended at mid-night of the expiration date on your last medical card. Get a copy to Calif. DLD ASAP.