DOT Physical Doctors

Driver Friendly™ DOT Physical Locations

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Driver Q&A
  • Blog
  • Doctors Only
  • Contact
  • Find a DOT Doctor
You are here: Home / Florida CDL and DOT Medical Card Requirements
Find Driver Friendly™ locations to get your medical card.
Click to find DOT physical locations in  FLORIDA
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES

Florida CDL Requirements

Florida law requires all CDL drivers to have a valid DOT medical card, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’.

  • Non-Excepted Interstate (Category A)
    You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
  • Non-Excepted Intrastate (Category C)
    You must  meet state of Florida medical certification requirements.

CDL holders can no longer claim exemption from medical certification requirements because they are not currently operating in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce.

If not specifically included in ‘Excepted’ categories, you must maintain your medical certification or downgrade to a non-commercial license. If you self-certify in a category exempt from medical certification requirements (Category B or D) and later change to a non-exempt type of operation (Category A or C), you must recertify in the appropriate category and provide proof of valid medical certification to avoid potential enforcement actions.

If you downgrade to a non-commercial license and later need to upgrade back to a commercial license, you may do so without additional testing.

 

CDL Self-Certification

Florida’s CDL Self-Certification System allows Commercial Driver License holders to meet the new federal requirements for self-certification without needing to go to a driver license office.

Online:
Go to FLORIDA Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Website
You may use the online process only if you have a valid Florida Commercial Driver License.

In Person:
At any Florida Driver License Issuance Office.

 

Medical Certificate Update

Drivers certifying in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce (Category A or C) must ensure their medical documentation is on file with the state issuing agency and that it remains current.  Failure to maintain current medical documentation on file may result in CDL disqualification.

Online:
Go to FLORIDA Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Website
You may use the online process only if you have a valid Florida Commercial Driver License.

 

Other Contact Information:

Website: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Medical Certification Requirements FAQ

 

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.

driver feedbackYour 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! —
Please leave your feedback about your experience in this State.
Go to the Questions and Comments box below and post your feedback.

! To save us all from zombie spammers, your feedback will not appear on this page until it has been approved. Visit this page again soon to see your comment, and others too.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.

NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.

Comments

  1. Stacy says

    January 20, 2023 at 4:12 pm

    I have my CDL B and I’m going for my CDL A I have my medical clearance card for my B do I have to do another one for my CDL A

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      January 21, 2023 at 9:49 am

      @ Stacy
      For a class B cdl, the states requirements and regulations may be different than the federal rules and regulations. Confirm with your local DLD. Are the requirements for the state the same as for a class A cdl which has a higher standard.

      Reply
  2. Cam says

    November 14, 2022 at 2:03 pm

    Do drivers of non-CDL commercial trucks need a DOT medical exam?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      November 14, 2022 at 3:59 pm

      @ Cam
      This is a state related question and will be best answered by your local DLD.

      Reply
      • Bill says

        January 16, 2023 at 3:23 pm

        Even if your medical is o n your lincence that the state requires you still need to carry paper work still

        Reply
        • Trucker Docs™ says

          January 17, 2023 at 8:16 am

          @ Bill
          Carry your medical card, yes. Required to carry your long form paper work, some say yes some say no. A picture of your paperwork on your phone, will suffice in most cases.

          Reply
  3. Douglas says

    November 12, 2022 at 10:08 am

    I hold a CDL, how ever I am no longer Driving a Commercial Vehicle (over a year now) and have no plans to ever do so again. When my Medical Card expires, do I still need to get one even though I will never drive a vehicle that requires it? Will all my driving privilege’s be suspended if I do not renew or just my commercial driving privilege’s?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      November 13, 2022 at 6:27 pm

      @ Douglas
      Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. If you are never going to drive and don’t want to take a medical examination, then go surrender your cdl for a standard license. If you want to keep your cdl, then you will need a valid medical card on file with the state.

      Reply
  4. Jose says

    October 26, 2022 at 5:18 pm

    Hello, I need a DOT physical non CDL, it is not to drive trucks, I come from PR and I have been driving heavy equipment (trailer truck for more than 20 years) and I have been driving for about 28 years with my vision condition (corneal transplant I can’t see well in my left eye because of it) I’ve never had accidents. how it can affect me and if I can obtain the certification.

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      October 27, 2022 at 6:59 am

      @ Jose
      If you are non-cdl, then you will fall under your states guidelines and variances. So your visual question will need to be answered by your local drivers license department. Your situation is a state level variances and not federal.

      Reply
  5. Black g says

    October 20, 2022 at 3:13 am

    I had a CDL permit which expired last month due to all the classes being full. I have my DOT physical that expires in 2023 I start school on the 10-31-22 can I use the DOT physical since it’s still valid for the truck driving school or will I have to take another DOT physical

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      October 20, 2022 at 7:22 am

      @ Black g
      You should be able to use your present medical card.

      Reply
  6. Tzr says

    October 18, 2022 at 12:30 pm

    I’m new to Florida do I need my dot card in order to take my permit test?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      October 19, 2022 at 7:01 am

      @ Tar
      Most likely, but confirm with Florida DLD.

      Reply
  7. Michelle says

    October 18, 2022 at 9:38 am

    Can my PCP also be my medical examiner for DOT?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      October 19, 2022 at 7:05 am

      @ Michelle
      If they are on the national registry, then you can use them.

      Reply
  8. John says

    October 14, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    I was scheduled to get my medical exam on the 4th but doing the hurricane they pushed it back to the 14th how do I get my CDLs back valid because of this incident

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      October 17, 2022 at 10:50 am

      @ John
      Get a new medical certificate, get it into DLD ASAP, and you should be good to go

      Reply
  9. Terrie C says

    August 13, 2022 at 5:39 pm

    I received a DUI in 2015 will this disqualify me from getting my CDL now 2022

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      August 14, 2022 at 9:16 am

      @ Terrie C
      CDL’s are a state provided document, so your question needs to be with your state drivers license department.

      Reply
  10. Jayjeezy says

    August 6, 2022 at 6:26 am

    if blood pressure is higher than 140/90 in Florida is it disqualified?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      August 6, 2022 at 7:04 am

      @ Jayjezzy
      A bp of 140/90 is still a passing bp, anything above it becomes a question and should be addressed.

      Reply
  11. Fred j says

    July 25, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    I need to get k restriction off. Intrastate to Interstate. I need my dot card and 31.25 in jax fl is that all I need to bring?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      July 26, 2022 at 6:28 am

      @ Fred j
      Getting your restrictions altered or removed will happen with the state, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Talk with your local drivers license department and follow their guidelines/process.

      Reply
  12. Eddie says

    June 30, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    I gave my CDL and upgrade to regular driver license,can I get my CDL back? Any one no ?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      July 1, 2022 at 10:02 am

      @ Eddie
      CDL’s are state issued, so you will need to check with your local drivers license department for their procedures.

      Reply
    • Leroy says

      November 2, 2022 at 10:55 am

      I turned in my Florida CDL and picked up a regular drivers’s license and the rep at the counter told me that I have 12 months to pick it up without any penalty. However, after 12 months, I will have to retake the written and driving test again.

      Reply
  13. Nicole says

    June 28, 2022 at 2:51 pm

    Does having an ostomy automatically disqualify you from obtaining a CDL license in Florida? I have yet to find an answer to that special question anywhere online so far and I’m starting to get very frustrated just to get a basic answer to what I thought is a simple question?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      June 29, 2022 at 6:27 am

      @ Nicole
      There should be no reason or known limitation to acquiring a cdl in this case. But confirm with your local drivers license department.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Comments and Questions Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

find DOT physical location

DOT Physical Without Hassles

Guidebook cover - 30

What you need to know about getting your Medical Card.
Get the GUIDEBOOK here

Driver Q&A Categories

BP and Hypertension
Breathing
Cardiovascular
Extremities and Trunk
FMCSA Regulations
Hearing
Medications
Neurologic and Mental
Sleep Disorders
Vision
Other Questions

Blog Categories

  • Ask Trucker Docs (1)
  • DOT Medical Card (5)
  • DOT Medical Requirements (10)
  • FMCSA Regulations (11)
  • Medical Conditions (7)
  • Sleep Apnea (6)
  • Trucker Stories (1)
  • Uncategorized (2)

DOT Physical DOCTORS by State

   

Alabama     Alaska     Arizona     Arkansas     California     Colorado     Connecticut     Delaware     Florida     Georgia     Hawaii     Idaho     Illinois     Indiana     Iowa     Kansas     Kentucky     Louisiana     Maine     Maryland     Massachusetts    Michigan     Minnesota     Mississippi     Missouri     Montana    Nebraska     Nevada     New Hampshire     New Jersey     New Mexico     New York     North Carolina     North Dakota    Ohio     Oklahoma     Oregon     Pennsylvania     Rhode Island     South Carolina     South Dakota     Tennessee     Texas     Utah     Vermont     Virginia    Washington     West Virginia     Wisconsin     Wyoming

(click on State name)

Search DOTPhysicalDOCTOR.com

The information provided on this website should not serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Please see a qualified medical provider if you have any concerns about your state of health.

Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions

About | Contact | Sitemap

DOCTORS ONLY

CME Marketing

CME Premier Plan

MEMBER Login

MEMBER Resources / Cancel

Copyright ©2010-2023 Emiton LLC All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized duplication or publication of any materials from this site is expressly prohibited.