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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.
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…
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But if you don’t list all of your medications that you’re taking. How can they tell that you are taking something that you didn’t list?
Can a CDL driver who has been diagnosed with COPD be allowed to drive a school bus?
Can a CDL driver who is insulin dependent be allowed to drive a school bus?
@Tanara
Both of these questions are state dependent variances and not FMCSA. Check with your local drivers license department to determine the best answer.
Just received my new medical card, switching job, am I required to do it again.
@Diane
No, your medical card is valid for commercial driving until the expiration date, or unless a medical condition arises which takes you off the road and you need to get re-certified.
That being said, an new employer may have their own standards that are stricter than FMCSA regulations, and they may require you to take a new medical exam with a medical examiner of their choice. But that’s an employer thing, nothing to do with FMCSA regulations.
I just recently moved to Florida and I had a class A cdl but my medical card expired and now my vision will not pass dot physical and can not obtain a medical card . If I get a class B intrastate (section D), self certify , am I exempt for a medical card ?
@Johnny
No, but you would be held to the states variances and not FMCSA/interstate standards. Check with your local drivers license department to verify.
@Johnny
No, but you would be held to the state’s intrastate variances and not FMCSA/interstate standards. Check with your local drivers license department to verify.
ive had a class A cdl INTRASTE rest:2 for 1 year my eye sight is left eye 20/20 right eye 20/100 I have full field of vision, I can see all colors, movement everything just cannot read outta my right eye, does the state of Florida have a vision waiver for cdl drivers? im finding nothing, what steps can I do to get my med card renewed
Yes. I just met a ONE EYED Driver .. There is a Vision exemption form that will let you drive OTR with ONE EYE. 703-448-3094 is the office number. It’s called “The Vision Program”. In Washington DC. Hope this information helps anyone that needs it !!
I’m currently being treated for what my rheumatologist is diagnosing as dermatomyositis, stills seems early on in the stage, bUT all medical test lean in this direction. Right now he has me on high does prednisone and mycopheno late (cellcept). Also I’m currently on short term disability due to the muscle weakness I experience. My medical certificate expires at the end of Jan and I’m just wondering what I need to expect. Any direction or ideas of expectations / possible directions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
@Peter
You want to talk with your local drivers license department and ask if you will be able to put your CDL on hold. You can not pass the DOT Medical at this time, but you don’t want to lose your CDL either. They should have a solution for someone in your situation.
I think in this case you might not like the answers you’ll get from the DMV or DOT. I believe you will lose your medical card possibly but if you do it’s an automatic suspension of your commercial driver’s license after you are released back to work by your doctor and then you can start the process over again and remember when you lose your commercial driver’s license you also lose your license to drive a car or motorcycle it’s all on the same endorsements
No you won’t lose your license to drive a car. I was told that at the DMV yesterday.
Is Florida allowed to deny an out-of-state DOT medical form certified by a DOT practitioner??
If so, for what reason(s)?
@Cassandra
You need to ask Florida why they did not accept the medical examiners form.
I did, and the response was it was the “wrong form.” Can Florida force other states to submit a specific form for Florida cdl holders, and deny other valid DOT medical forms used by other states??
@Cassandra
All states have to use/accept the new FMCSA forms.
Hi! I have a USCG dot physical medical card for my marine captain license. Will that meet my medical requirements?
Does anyone know how i can sink my medical card worn my cdl
I drive a 14,400 lbs truck (over 10,000 lbs but under 26,000 lbs) and do not need a CDL. Do I need a medical card to drive if I never leave the state of Florida.
My medical card expired on 4-8-16. I just recertify my self today 4-16-16 and uploaded my current medical card through the Florida DMV website. My license status says it will soon be suspended. Description: FAILED TO FILE MED CERT/DISABILITY INFO. Effective date: 5/9/16. Type: DISQUALIFICATION.
Will my CDLA still be suspended or it will clear up now that updated all the information?
I had a Florida CDL. Towards the end of last year, I was injured on the job and could not get a medical card due to my driving restrictions. I had to downgrade my CDL to a regular license. My question is, when I am back to full driving privileges, and am able to get another medical card, do I have to pay to get my CDL back again? It cost $33.25 to down grade and it seems like a punishment to pay all this money to reinstate something I lost unintentionally. I believe it will cost at least $81.00 to get another. Thanks for any help!
Unfortunately yes. I to just went through a similar situation. I had to pay $80.00 for new DOT physical and $87.00 for CDL endorsements and motorcycle endorsement.
I work for County Gov. and I have a CDL A Do I still need my medical Card or am I Except? and what do I need to show my County Id Card?
@ William
Most class A drivers need a medical certificate to maintain their class A. You would need to check with your local drivers license department to conform any exceptions. And county would only need to see a copy of your medical card, in most cases.
I have a valid fl cdl and medical. Medical is up in march 2016. Not using my cdl currently. If i do not recertify the medical does my license automatically down grade to a non commercial? And to reinstate it in the future what is involved? Thanks
If you do not have an updated medical certification, the Florida Department of Transportation will usually send you a letter giving you approximately 30 days to update the certification. If you do not get the certification within that period of time then the downgrade of your CDL will begin. So it’s wise to get the medical certification and keep it updated even if you did not use the CDL.
Just keep your License and when you can just send in your medical card. They will update the system and your CDL will be valid again.. I just left the License Office and this is how it was explained to me… And i asked it 3 times to be sure !!!. Your License drops to a Regular Operators license. But your Medical card reinstates your CDL whenever you send in your new card…. I’m doing the same thing !!!!!!
This is what happened to me. I could not pass my physical because my Diabetic BS was to high. DMV told me I had to turn my CDL and down grade. To be reinstated, all I had to do was renew my medical card. If I did not downgrade with in 30 days, my CDL would be disqualified. I would then have to start all over with drivers school to get my CDL reinstated. Downgrading is the cheaper and less time consuming.
Yes your CDL will downgrade to a non commercial Class E to be exact. To have endorsements reinstated your licence must be valid by that I mean within the time frame in which your CDL were added and not expired. Other wise you must retake the written test’s and obtain permit for driving and have DOT physical which cost no more than 100.00 usually and $7.00 for each endorsement. Hope this helps….
Ive recently moved to Florida from out of state . I got my cdl Florida license n updated my medical card n self certified with the state but does it matter if the card has my old state address on the med card for it to be legal
@Marshall
It’s fine the way it is and, if you wanted, you could have the doctor update the card with the new address.
A medical card is a “Medical Card” , As long as its current..
Yes, the state and address in which you reside must also be on your medical card. Reason is your DOT physical has to be from State in which CDL is obtained.
@Shannon
A 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.
I went and got a physical done for 2 years. The doctor dis not give me a medical card, he only gave me a medical long sheet with a copy for my job. Is this a new procedure? I’m worried I might not be able to validate my cdl without a small dot card.
@Juan
The long form could suffice, but the medical card is your medical certificate, so go back and ask for one.
I have a driver (Class B w/ Passenger) that is being denied a med card renewal due to having a stint in his heart. This is not a new stint and he has disclosed it previously with no problems, however, this time he is being told it is a problem. Is this disqualification based on doctor discretion or have the requirements changed? Is there some sort of list of medical conditions that would disqualify a driver that I could get my hands on?
@Ben
Your driver should not be disqualified. But he does need to provide the information that the CME should be asking for. A medical release form from his cardiologist along with his last stress test done within the past two years should be sufficient for the CME. Your driver should then receive a one year medical card for an existing condition.
In the state of Florida whats the time limit that Fmcsa gives a driver to update his medical card to reverse from a E lisence back to a cdl A class .
I just moved from NY and I have a Class B-school bus CDL license. I now have a Florida State CDL license however my medical certification card (from NY) expires in Feb.2016. My previous employer in NY always had a Medical doctor on site that would complete the physicals and renew the medical cards. How do I go about renewing my medical card at this point as I do not have a current employer yet in the state of FL. Do I have to go to a designated DOT physician office ? Can I go to my primary care doctor and if so do they complete a certain form ? Can I go to a CVS Pharmacy-minute clinic to get the medical exam and medical card ? Does the updated medical card come from the physician that is completing the exam or do I take the physical exam form to DOT office to get an updated medical card ??? Please advise
@Gary
You can only get your medical card renewed by a medical examiner who is FMCSA National Registry Certified.
All the doctors on this website are on the National Registry.
To understand more about FMCSA regulations, see our Driver Q&A.
I have a Florida Class A Intrastate CDL, I bought a truck in NY, the dealer is issuing me an in transit tag good for 30 days, will I need to up grade my CDL to Interstate and get a medical card just to pick up the truck and drive it back to Florida?
@John
If you are a class A driver and you have a valid interstate medical card then you don’t need to do anything. If you are a class A driver and you are limited to intra-state only, then you will need to get that changed to interstate so you can bring the vehicle home to Florida.
My driver (non-CDL) waited to the last minute to update his medical card. The dr told him he needs to see his cardiologist first before he’ll sign off. Can the dr issue a temporary card while the driver waits for an appointment with the cardiologist? This is in Florida.
@Mike
Non-CDL? What class driver? It does not make sense that an examiner would withhold a medical card, unless the driver has or has had a condition that requires a medical release form from the cardiologist. Ultimately it does fall to the examiner as to whether he wants to issue a temporary card or not. The CME feels that he must assume some level of risk if there were to be a safety issue while on a temporary card.