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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a list of frequently asked questions on their website.
You can find FMCSA FAQ at this link
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If you still can’t find a related answer, then you are welcome to ask your question in the comments section below.
Q&A
Where can I get the new DOT physical / medical examination forms?
Which drivers are required to have a DOT medical certificate?
Does a DOT medical card have to be obtained in the same state as the CDL is from?
Is the DOT medical card transferrable or do I have to get a new one when I start a new job?
Is there a difference between a DOT medical certificate and a DOT physical card?
What are the DOT physical requirements?
Does the DOT physical exam include a drug test?
Can I get a copy of my DOT physical long form or will I have to take another physical?
What do I do if my medical card gets lost or damaged?
Do I need a medical card if I’m a local driver?
What’s involved in a DOT physical examination?
Who can I go to to get my DOT physical exam done?
What is a waiver or exemption and how can I get one?
For how long is my medical certificate valid?
Can my Company have different medical requirements than the FMCSA requirements?
What if I develop a medical condition while my current medical certificate is still valid?
What do I do with the medical certificate and long form once I get them?
Do I need to have a medical certificate if I operate a CMV only in my home state?
If a truck has a DOT# on its side, does the driver need a medical card to drive it?
If I’m working for a company is it their responsibility to pay for the DOT physical exam?
Where can I get the new DOT physical / medical examination forms?
PDF Versions of the forms are available at these links on the FMCSA website:
- Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875
- Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876
Which drivers are required to have a DOT medical certificate?
Interstate:
All CMV drivers who operate in interstate commerce are required to have a medical certificate based on FMCSA requirements.
- If they operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross vehicle weight (GCW), or gross combination weight (GCW) of 10,001 pounds or more.
- If they transport hazardous materials, in a quantity requiring placards.
- If they operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver).
- If they operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers, for direct compensation, beyond 75 air miles from the driver’s normal work-reporting location.
Intrastate:
- Intrastate certification is regulated by the DMV of each state. All states have based their physical qualifications on some of the Federal requirements, but may grant waivers for certain medical conditions.
- Some carriers e.g. FedEx, UPS and DHL, are subject to interstate regulations even if they drive intrastate.
Does a DOT medical card have to be obtained in the same state as the CDL is from?
No. An Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Interstate) is valid nationwide so you can get certified in any state, no matter which state you have your CDL.
See also: Who can I go to to get my DOT physical exam done?
I have a CDL and have been notified to present DMV with a medical certificate or I will lose my driving privileges. I’m not currently driving and may not drive again. Do I need to get a DOT physical just to maintain my license?
For more information see our blog post New FMCSA Medical Certification Requirements.
In order to keep your CDL, some states will allow a CDL holder to certify in a category that does not require a medical certificate e.g. Intrastate Excepted, if they are not currently driving.
You will have to check with your State Drivers License Agency (DMV) to see if they permit this option. This will give you a way to maintain your CDL without a current medical card.
If you want to start driving again, you will first have to get a new medical card, and then visit your DMV, to self-certify in the category that is appropriate for the type of driving you will be doing.
Is the DOT medical card transferrable or do I have to get a new one when I start a new job?
A DOT medical card is valid nationwide and can be used by any company so you don’t have to get a new one.
However… There are companies that have a policy in place that states they want you to have the physical exam done by their own examiner. They can require you to take a new physical exam, if is company policy. They also usually will pay for the exam if they require it.
Is there a difference between a DOT medical certificate and a DOT physical card?
No. These terms are used interchangeably. They are most often referred to as a DOT medical when referring to the DOT medical card, and DOT physical when referring to the DOT physical exam, and sometimes drivers refer to them as a CDL physical or CDL medical.
What are the DOT physical requirements?
Here are 3 ways to understand the DOT physical requirements.
- The hard way:
Read the FMCSA Rules and Regulations Part 391.41 Physical Qualifications For Drivers - The technical way:
Understand what’s on the DOT long form MCSA-5875, FMCSA DOT Medical Examination Report Form - The easy way:
Read Trucker Docs’ guidebook, How To Take The Stress Out Of Getting Your DOT Medical Card
Does the DOT physical exam include a drug test?
The DOT physical exam requirements do not include a drug test. You will still have to give a urine sample which is used for a kidney screen for potential medical conditions.
However, companies require a pre-employment drug test. So your company may request to have a drug screen done at the same time as you take your DOT physical. Not all medical examiner’s offices that conduct DOT physicals have a drug testing service.
Can I get a copy of my DOT physical long form or will I have to take another physical?
Yes, you can get a copy. Just look on your medical card and find the examiner’s phone number. Call and ask for a copy of your medical long form. They may charge you a few bucks for the service, but it’s cheaper than a new examination.
What do I do if my medical card gets lost or damaged?
Call the doctors office that did the original DOT exam and find out what the process is to get a duplicate made and sent to you. The medical office has to keep this information on file for at least three years, so they will have it.
Do I need a medical card if I’m a local driver?
Requirements for local drivers (intrastate) are regulated by the DMV of each state. You will need to check with your state DMV if you are a local driver. All states have based their DOT physical qualifications on some of the Federal requirements, but may grant waivers for certain medical conditions. If you’re a local driver you can still get your medical card from a certified medical examiner. (Find a CME in your state)
In some cases e.g. FedEx, UPS and DHL, drivers are subject to interstate regulations even if they drive intrastate.
What’s involved in a DOT physical examination?
To best understand what’s involved in a DOT physical, read Trucker Docs™ guidebook, How To Take The Stress Out Of Getting Your DOT Medical Card.
See also the FAQ – What are the DOT physical requirements?
Who can I go to to get my DOT physical exam done?
New federal regulations state that starting May 21, 2014, CMV drivers can get medical certificates only from a medical examiner who is FMCSA National Registry Certified.
(Find a registered CME)
Updated: May 2014
Starting May 21, 2014 you can only get medically certified by a federally certified medical examiner – called a CME or Certified Medical Examiner. That examiner will have a National Registry Number, which must be included on the information on the medical certificate issued to a driver.
Medical professionals who participate in the CME program may be MD, DO, DC, APN, or PA.
The caution here is that even though these professionals are certified by FMCSA, some states will not recognize certain categories of medical professional to qualify drivers within that state. The information we have at this time is: Michigan and Washington do not qualify chiropractic physicians to issue medical certificates for their drivers.
What is a waiver or exemption, and how can I get one?
A waiver or exemption gives a driver temporary relief from a regulation; one of more of the FMCSRs.
FMCSA Exemption Programs are for drivers of CMVs that intend to operate in interstate commerce. A driver may apply for an exemption from any of the standards where the driver can show that safety would not be diminished by granting the exemption. The exemption is granted for up to two years, and may be renewed.
See the FMCSA Driver Exemption Programs for more information and details of how to apply.
Intrastate commerce: FMCSA does not have statutory authority to grant waivers/exemptions to drivers from states’ intrastate requirements. Therefore, the FMCSA waivers/exemptions do not permit regulatory relief for drivers who plan to limit their operations to intrastate commerce.
For how long is my medical certificate valid?
- 2 years if the driver meets all the FMCSA standards (see DOT physical requirements)
- If the driver meets standards, but periodic monitoring is required for certain conditions, a medical certificate will be issued for a limited time period. Depending on those conditions the period could be 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, or some other time limit. e.g. Medical conditions stable, on treatment include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, sleep disorder, conditions qualified under exemption.
- If the driver does not meet FMCSA standards, then medical certification is disqualified. e.g. Disqualified due to medical condition and/or medication, stage 3 hypertension, insulin-dependent diabetes. “Does not meet FMCSA standards” means the driver is not medically qualified at the time of the examination. Until a certified medical examiner makes a determination that the driver is medically qualified the driver is not able to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.
My medical certificate only expires in nine months. What if I recently developed a medical condition that I couldn’t drive. Can I drive truck again now?
Even if you currently have a ‘current’ medical certificate, you are prohibited from driving a CMV with any medical condition that would be disqualifying or may interfere with the safe operation of a CMV. Once a disqualifying medical condition is resolved, and before resuming operation of CMVs, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
Can my Company have different medical requirements than the FMCSA requirements?
A company must a least meet the FMCSA medical requirements. However, company policy may impose stricter standards than those required by FMCSA.
Can my new employer make me get a DOT physical even if my current medical certificate is still valid for another 18 months?
Yes, the employer can require you to take a new physical exam, if is company policy. They also usually will pay for the exam if they require it.
What if I develop a medical condition while my current medical certificate is still valid?
If you develop a medical condition that may interfere with the safe operation of a CMV, you are disqualified from driving while you have that condition. Once a disqualifying medical condition is resolved, and before resuming operation of CMVs, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What do I do with the medical certificate (MEC) and long form (MER) once I get them?
The Driver:
- Carry the original medical card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate, form MCSA-5876) with you at all times you are driving.
- Keep a copy of the long form (Medical Examination Report, form MCSA-5875) for your records. Even though DOT regulations state that you only need to carry the medical card with you, you’ll save yourself hassle if you carry the long form as well.
- It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that they have a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate on file with their CDL, so make sure you renew the copy of your Medical Examiner’s Certificate together with your Self-Certification affidavit at your State Drivers License Department. (more info on Self-Certification)
The Company:
- The motor carrier is required to keep a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate in the driver qualification file. Drivers, make sure you provide a copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate to the company that employs you.
Certified Medical Examiners:
- The medical examiner is required to provide the driver with a paper copy of the original Medical Examiner’s Certificate, form MCSA-5876.
- The medical examiner is required to keep the original long form and a copy of the medical certificate on file for a least three years.
- The medical examiner is required to enter driver examination results online to the National Registry system for each interstate driver examination. The examination results information is reported whether the examination is completed or not i.e. If a driver leaves the examiner’s clinic during the examination because they do not wish to continue, the medical examiner will report the results as “Incomplete Examination”.
Do I need to have a medical certificate if I operate a CMV only in my home state?
Requirements for intrastate drivers are regulated by the DMV of each state. You will need to check with your state DMV. All states have based their DOT physical qualifications on some of the Federal requirements, but may grant waivers for certain medical conditions. If you drive intrastate you can still get your medical card from a certified medical examiner. (Find a CME in your state)
In some cases e.g. FedEx, UPS and DHL, drivers are subject to interstate regulations even if they drive intrastate.
If a truck has a DOT# on its side, does the driver need a medical card to drive it?
Yes, the driver must have a medical certificate to operate a vehicle being used for commerce. So the truck/trailer and driver must be DOT approved, DOT numbers on the truck and trailer and medical card for the driver. You may want to also check you state DMV regulations.
If I’m working for a company is it their responsibility to pay for the DOT physical exam?
That varies from company to company. Some see it as part of the job and some see it as, “if you don’t have a medical card, you don’t have the job.” These is no set in stone answer.
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Your comments are also welcome.
If a company pays to have an employee get his/her CDL are they allowed to garnish his/her wages if he/she quits within six months of getting the CDL?
@Mark
This website is focused on questions regarding the DOT physical and commercial driver medical certification.
Yours is a legal question, and you’ll most likely find the answer in any documents you signed with the company.
Was given a 3 month medical card due to sleep apnea. After 3 months, do I need to go to same Dr. to get new card or can another national registered DOT cme suffice ?
@Roy
You can go to any CME on the registry that you like.
If a company paid for driver to get DOT card, if driver quits can the company take back the DOT card?
Thanks!
@Alison
I don’t believe so. The card was issued to the driver and is of no value to anyone else.
Where or how do I report a clinic / doc performing DOT physicals with out being registered? They are giving out a invalid NR number and can not be located by name, address or zip code?
@Dee
Best to contact FMCSA/National Registry directly. Email: fmcsamedical@dot.gov Telephone: 202-366-4001
I have a Colorado class A and my medical card is going to expire soon. I don’t currently drive commercial and I don’t know if I ever will again. So after that medical card expires will my CDL still be valid as a regular drivers license, or will it be suspended until I downgrade the license? Also, when it comes time to renew my license next birthday, can I do so without a medical card and still keep the CDL as long as I’m not driving commercially?
Thank you
@Jimmy
Each state treats this process differently. You’ll need to contact your state/local drivers license department to find out what they may allow you to do. Some states will allow you to self-certify “Excepted”, to keep your CDL without a medical card, as long as you are not driving commercially.
I am a cancer patient who has gone through 30 chemo treatments so far which has resulted in intense peripheral neuropathy in both feet and hands. I have been told it could be permanent. Is this a disqualifying condition? My medical expires next month and want a heads up. Thanks.
@Rick
This condition is going to work as a disqualification as a driver.
You could look into intra-state only, once you are done with your treatments and you have fully healed.
For right now, you could ask your local Drivers License Department to suspend or downgrade your CDL to a standard driver’s license, while you get well. Once that has happened, you’ll know where you stand and what you can and cannot do. Finish the treatments and get healed up, then see where you are and go from there.
I work though aTemp to Hire Class A Driver Staffing company and have been working at a company though them that wants to hire me. My med card does not expirer for another 6 months an my question is, if i would fail their new company’s prehire dot physical, does that mean my valid card would be no good, or should i wait until card bout to expire then hire on, ive been working at the same company for 6 months and had to already meet all the requirements for me to even temp for them, so could i lose both driving jobs although im already quilified an i couldn’t work though the temp company in which i passed the test and was issued?
@ Scott
If you take a new DOT physical and fail, then your old card is no longer valid. So if you can, wait until you are about to expire and then take the new physical. That should give you time enough to address any issues you are concerned about.
I just found out that my husband lied on his long form and told the medical examiner that he wasn’t diabetic and on no meds. This greatly concerns me because he is not compliant with his meds and has had several accidents this year, which he had down graded to non moving violations. What is the penalty for lying on your physical form? And whom should I report this to if he fails to start taking care of himself?
@Alicia
So let me get this straight, your husband lied on a federal form, (that he signed as the complete truth) does not take care of his condition and puts himself and everyone around him at risk and you want to know who to tell, if he does not take better care of himself??? Did I get this right?
Call the CME who did his DOT examination.
Call the company he works for.
You know about this and are sitting on a serious safety issue and could be held as an accomplice should he manage to kill someone.
Do I have to send a copy of my medical card to the state or do the Docs due this after the exam?
Our trucks do not require CDL license.
@Dan
It’s the driver’s responsibility to make sure your state DLD has a copy of your current medical card.
Some doctors will fax a copy to the DLD as a courtesy service for the driver.
But the responsibility is the driver’s. So send a copy yourself unless you’re sure the doctor did that for you.
Do you know exactly where to send a copy of Medical card after you have received it for the State of Kansas. And are there any forms that have to be sent with your medical card?
@Cristy
See Kansas CDL and DOT Medical Card Requirements.
Does a Connecticut CDL driver have to submit both a self certified medical and a certified medical certificate to the DMV to be compliant? And is the self certified medical due to the classification of the driver?
@Rachel
You’ll need to check with your local drivers license department to answer this question.
My medical certificate is gonna expire soon and I’m out of the country .. Cannot come back on time to renew my medical certificate to save my commercial license …. What are the options? Detail pls
can a person on total disability still obtain MEDICAL CARD TO DRIVE
@ Vern
I believe this has been answered before you.
I am 2000 miles from and my card runs out in three days. The physician says I need a note from my doctor and my doctor won’t write o e cause I haven’t seen him in a long while. Are there any exceptions. When a driver is away from ho.e and needs to get back to see his doctor.
@ t
Not that I am aware of. Most all CME’s are going to want to see what your primary doctor has to say about your condition. (even I have no idea what is going on with you.) Some states are a little kinder then others regarding lateness of your medical card. But in reality, your medical card expires at midnight of the expiration date.
I am curious if Kentucky requires the driver to carry a medical card in a vehicle with a GVWR over 10,000 lbs but under 26,001 lbs… INTRAstate. I found INTERstate drivers must carry the card, but cannot verify whether or not an INTRAstate driver needs to.
Thank you!
@ Patrick
Most states want you to carry your medical card at all times, especially while driving a commercial vehicle.
as an employer am I required to keep expired medical certificate’s on file when the driver obtains a new one.
@Thomas
Not positive, but I don’t think so.
Once you have a new medical certificate in hand it does not make sense to maintain the old one. The CME must maintain the drivers medical certificate for three years or more, but not the employer, unless there is some HIPPA policy for keeping records longer.
If someone is already diabetes exempted and soon needs to fax in annual vision evaluation checklist, is the vision exam anytime during that 12 months valid. I know when initially applying for exemption it has a time frame but wanted to check on annual exam time frame once a person is exempted.
@Lelynn
The CME will accept a valid eye examination, but he may still want to do a brief visual acuity examination at the time of the medical examination. The closer you can get the examination to the date of the medical exam, the better. Waiting for a year may be stretching it a bit.
I am being told that since the company paid for my dot exam (as a part of orientation) they will not give me the long form. The clinic they sent me to packed everything in a sealed envelope and they are refusing to give me a copy of my own long form. I looked up the regs:
FMCSR 391.43 sub-part g:
(g) Upon completion of the medical examination required by this subpart:
(1) The medical examiner must date and sign the Medical Examination Report and provide his or her full name, office address, and telephone number on the Report.
(2) If the medical examiner finds that the person examined is physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in accordance with § 391.41(b), he or she must complete a certificate in the form prescribed in paragraph (h) of this section and furnish the original to the person who was examined. The examiner must provide a copy to a prospective or current employing motor carrier who requests it.
Is anyone else having this problem?
@Terrence
You are not the first, and won’t be the last. You received the medical certificate when your got your medical card, but you want the long form. By law the examiner has to provide you with a full copy of your medical long form. These are a part of your medical records and the examiner has to keep them on file for no less that three years. Now he may charge you a copying fee or something like that, but he has to provide a copy to you.
The doctor said i need a sleep study done, will the at home sleep study be sufficient? I can not find any information on an at home sleep study and DOT regulations.
@Devon
Why did the doctor say you needed a sleep study? There are a lot of criteria that must be met before sending someone for a sleep study. See our articles on Sleep Apnea.
And to my knowledge there isn’t any qualified CME that is going to accept a home study without a sleep specialist overseeing the test and the test results.
My medical card expired. How long do I have to renew it?
@Jeff
You cannot drive on an expired medical card.
Each state is different in the time-frame they take to downgrade your CDL.
I received a letter from the department of transportation and knew I needed my physical for my Class A. I thought I needed the physical by May 20th but I received my drivers license without CDL and then looked back at paperwork and saw that it was May 2nd. Can I contest this so I don’t have to redo all of my training?