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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
Renewed medical card but didn’t file with dmv was under the impression my employer did it found out that’s not true been 2 months will dmv still accept my paperwork?
@ Erik
Yes, most likely. Do it ASAP now.
I reside in California and in the past my primary physician completed my examination to renew my Class C license. When I called to make the appointment for the examination with OPTUM, I was told they will no longer complete the exam and complete the MER and MEC forms.
Where can I find a local doctor in Orange County California to complete my examination? My due date for the papers is quickly approaching December 10, 2023.
@ Wayne D Y, Sr
Check our list of doctors in CA https://dotphysicaldoctor.com/find-cme-california/
Can anyone assist with this issue?.
As a California CDL class b daily driver, do I need to carry my original medical card (5876) or can I have a copy/picture of it?
@ John
We suspect you can carry a copy or picture of your card, but confirm this with your local DLD.
CA DMV stating my DOT medical examination is incomplete due to the acuity measurements of vision. I have my corrected numbers but my uncorrected numbers are blank. Physician tells me that FMCSA doesn’t require both as long as either one is 20/40. Physician printed out an email he has from FMCSA.gov. My corrected vision is 20/20 down the line.
@ Sean
You are correct and FMCSA is correct, BUT California has their rules and this is one of them. Get your CME to write the uncorrected visual acuity in and you will be fine with CA.
I would like to drop my CDL and have a regular class C, I can do this by not renewing my medical certificate or do I need to go into the DMV
@ David
This is true, but if you ever want to renew your cdl for some reason, then it’s better to do it at the DMV.
My dot physical for my ca cdl was due this week. I’m to understand that my ability to drive commercial vehicles is suspended until I get the physical done. Is there a grace period to which I need to get it done before there will be more I have to do? Like after 10 days past my exp date, now there’s more fee or something like that at the dmv? Or just, get it done asap and once I do, they should just reinstate my cdl?
@ Garrett
Most likely, get it done ASAP and hand carry a copy to your local DLD. That should fix it. There is no grace period.
I took my 2 year physical on 11/10/23 and it’s also due that day but I totally forgot it’s veterans day and the dmv is closed. The doctors office electronically sent it to the dmv. Will my license be suspended?
@ John
No, most states are running a few days behind, so you are safe. Just make sure they got a copy at your local DLD as soon as possible.
How do i get my medical my license expires. My medical is expired on my Workmen’s Comp.. My work will not pay for the physical because on my Workmen’s Comp. DMV will not renew my license without medical card. What do I do?
@ Sheila M
You can not pass a DOT/FMCSA medical cert exam until you are released from workers comp. Once off WC take a new medical and then take copy to DLD. If your cdl has expired, simply explain your situation to the CME, he should help you with this.
I’m in CA. My medical expired a couple months ago because I couldn’t take it due to having a knee injury requiring surgery. Will I be able to just get a physical done now and submit the paperwork to renew my class B?
@ Jon
Most likely, but confirm with your local DLD.
Do I get my dot exam done before I take my license test for an ambulance
@ Jared
Probably best to do the medical exam first and then the license test. If you are a lesser class cdl holder, you will be under your states requirements, not federal, so make sure the medical examiner knows the difference. Confirm with your local drivers license department for clarification.
I am in California. My medical cad is gonna expire on October 1 who is responsible to pay my medical card my my company or I I has to pay to pay
@ Julio
Your medical card, you pay. The companies medical card, the company pays. And you do not get a copy, they keep it. So if you leave the company, then it is up to you to get a new medical.
If I have a non-cdl class C but I’m driving company vehicles, do I need. Medical Certificate?
@ Ben
Most states require a medical card when operating any vehicle that is used for commerce. Confirm with your local drivers license department.
I’m in California I’m apply for a new driving class A job my medical is updated dmv I turned in my medical exam I did not receive an actual card but it is updated on my license but new job wants a physical card they are not giving them out at the drs what do I do
@ Darren
The medical examiners office should be providing you with a hard copy for your employer. Ask again, explain the situation, they should accommodate you.
Need to get dot medical physical but my mom died and I need to go out of town . When I get back I will be expired by one day. Can I keep my license?
@ Mike
You should be fine, just get it done when you get back and get a copy to your local drivers license department (DLD).
Why will California not accept my valid Medical Examiner Certificate from another state when applying? At the DMV everything was fine, my certificate still has 19 months left on it. I received a letter saying it was rejected by I needed a California license or a California Medical Examiner Certificate. How can this be legal when the certificate is accepted in all 50 states when I drive across country?
@ DanMan
The only reason we can think of is that the medical examiner you used is not on the national registry.
he is – the number is provided on the form. I will have to mail the form to them, but they already have a copy of my original.
@ DanMan
Good deal.
That’s a lie I had friends from California, taken their medical exam in Dallas tx and was accepted in California.
Does the FMCSA have a Record Retention policy on the DOT Medical certificates?
Hi my current cdl medical expired 2 years ago got my new dot.medical can I still be able to get my cdl back or need to do any skills test ?
@ Davinder
You will need to check with your local DLD for guidance.
It’s almost six months my DOT medical card has expired, is my CDLA license still valid in California?
Thank you.
@ Johnson
Maybe. Usually CA. suspends your cdl right after your medical card expires. Check with your local DLD to see if a new medical card is all you need to re-instate your A cdl.
If my medical expired a month ago and I go get my dot physical will me license be valid again?
@ Kobe i
Most likely, when you take your medical card copy to your local DLD and have them input your information into their system, you should be good to go. Confirm with your local DLD to make sure.
Question.. is a person who has already had cdl with hearing loss (wears hearing aids) required to test with sound booth or are they able to test with forced whisper method only? Dr isn’t passing my physical due to hearing even though audiologist found my hearing is the same as it has been since child.
@ Justin
The CME should accept your audiologist findings and a whisper test.
I’m having problems getting a new med card for my Class B CDL. I have an ear infection which made my hear worse and I failed the hearing test. Can I get an extension until it clears up or get hearing aids?
@ Christian
A class B cdl holder is under the states requirements and not federal DOT/FMCSA. The examiner could have given you a three month card to give you time for the ear infection to heal. If you use hearing aids for the medical examination, it will be mandatory you wear them anytime you are driving. Best to get the ear infection corrected and then redo the medical examination. Let the state drivers license department know your situation and then follow their procedures.
I have a CDL -B with a valid Medical card for 1yr, for my new job they requested me to retake a physical even though i already have a valid Med. Card. The doctor stated that i need to test for Sleep apnea and he would validate me for 3 months till i get test results. I need to turn in paperwork to dmv, but if i already have a valid Med card and if I dont turn in my NEW paperwork will i lose my CDL ? or can i just not turn in paperwork and skip the test and doctor revisit?
@ Oscar
You are a class B cdl holder and you fall under the states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Your information does not get input to the federal data base, only the state. Skip it.
so you suggest skip the doctor visit and DONT turn in the new paperwork to DMV? and just operate with the previous Medical Card till it expires? But company may, because of my new physical and “they” (company & Doctor) wanting new card wont that cause an issue with both ? especially with the dmv won’t that cause an issue? I just don’t want to lose this new job because of some stupid doctor being bias.
@ Oscar
Asking for a second opinion is your right. Go get a second opinion and then turn in your paperwork to DMV. Your examination findings are not reported to the federal data base. If the company does not like it, do you really want to work with them?
My CDL medical card expires June 6, 2023. I’m type 2 diabetic. I renew it yearly. I can’t bring my blood sugar low enough to pass. Also borderline CKD. Will I be able to get an extension? My CDL license is up for renewal in August. California state CDL
@ Yolanda
You might be able to get a 90 day card from the CME, if you are working on getting your numbers under control. There really is no extension process with DOT/FMCSA.
I lost my medical card can i get a copy at the dmv?
@ Jaypee
Don’t know, guess you would need to check with your local DMV for an answer.