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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.
Medical Certificate Renewal
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.
Can you drop off your DOT medical forms at AAA?
@ Connie
For what purpose would you drop your paper work, which needs to go to the state, at an insurance facility?
We suspect the best answer is NO. But confirm with your local DLD.
Most AAA insurance offices offer limited DMV services. They have for years. They do not handle commercial licensing needs of any kind however.
If I get a new DOT physical that expires sooner than what’s already listed on my driving record, do I still have to submit the new physical paperwork, and will the driving record show the update? Just want to make sure my driver qualification file is compliant. Thank you!
@ Josh W
To be positive, we would recommend you talk with your local drivers license department for guidance in their procedure.
Can you re do a dot physical if you feel you were misdiagnosed. The examiner talk me into doign a sleep apnea exam and as I researched I don’t even need it ,and I don’t even have sleep apnea symptoms.my certificate has less months than my 1rst one.i feel I been misdiagnosed.can I retake my dot physical
@ Freddy
Go get a second opinion elsewhere.
Can I send my wife to DMV office just to turn in my dot physical paperwork for my medical card. I took the physical and got paperwork just can’t make it in to DMV cuz working.
@ James
Most likely, yes.
The truck over 10,001 Lbs and under a DOT #, operates within CA INTRASTATE commerce. Does the driver need a medical card? .
@ Hector Z
Most states require a valid medical card for ANY vehicle that is being used for commerce (making $ for someone).
Confirm this with your local drivers license department (DLD).
Does a non CDL driver operating within California need a medical card if the truck is over 10,001 Lbs? The truck is under a DOT # and is used for hire.
I just hand a medical done for class B it was for two yrs. Now they say its a one year can any one explain this to me live in cali
.
My medical expired 3 months ago .Will I have to retake a test or just get a new physical to get my CDL good again? I am in California.
@ David
Most likely all you will need is a new medical card. Do confirm this with your local drivers license department.
I live in California with the class a license and I’m going the end of December to get a defibrillator what can I do to keep my class a license and still work intrastate in caif only I’ve done research and can’t find nothing on intrastate in California
@ Doak S
Where we are located, you take the DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination and pass with good health, but have an issue that requires intra-state only. Then take these findings to the state DLD and they issue the intra-state only license. Check with your local DLD.
I have. A class c liscence and my company made me do a dot med exam why do you think they do that
@ John L
If you are driving ANY company vehicle that is used for commerce, make money for someone, then most states require a valid medical card.
My DOT medical card expired last month I just passed my exam and got a new card will DMV except this card for records ?
@ FRANK
Yes
Thank you
@ FRANK
You are welcome.
Can I still renew my medical after it’s been more than 2 years?
@ Gabe
You can get a new medical card examination anytime you want.
How long is the grace period in California for the dot physical after the card expires ?
@ Jessica
Midnight of the date of expiration on your medical card.
DOT/FMCSA has not made a new grace period at this time.
Am I required to update the DMV license for a DOT physical if I’m a non CDL? California
@ Johnathan
In some states, no, but confirm with local California DLD.