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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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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.
My husband’s CDL is showing as Failed to File Medical Cert – effective date 5/18/2015. The type is showing as disqualification and under the Status it is showing EFFECTIVE. If he is not driving a CMV over 26,001 lbs – can he still drive?
@Debbie
Each state is different, so if he is not driving a commercial motor vehicle and he does have a valid drivers license, then he probably can continue to drive a car. That being said, best bet is to contact your local drivers license department and confirm that this is the case.
How long does it take for a CDL MEC self certification that is PENDING to become finalized, when you do it via the FL DMV website ?
Florida website says I can upload my new medical certification, yet when I get there, it tells me I must visit the office. Is the website functioning correctly?
Where do I mail my updated Medical Examiner’s Certificate
I just got hired at a new job and don’t need my CDL. My last employer provided me with the CDL but something happened that I had to retake the pre trip or downgrade, and that it will downgrade to class E after 30 days of the letter . I had already left the company and decided to wait for the downgrade. I just received a letter stating that my license it suspended and I can’t go to the DMV due to my work scheduled and not allowed to leave early. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance
@Sandy
Sorry, can’t help you. We focus on questions pertaining to Medical Certification for commercial drivers.
You’ll need to contact your local DMV to answer this question.
I was allowed to drop my class A .but when I’m ready to get it back I do not have to pay for reinstating it..but you have to go in …..and let them know your intent
@Debra
Thanks Debra for sharing that helpful information.
I went to get my Dot physical and the Doc said I needed to get a sleep study done…Why are they doing this now it’s not even on the books yet for Doc to recommend this study…why are they jumping the run on this matter? I don’t have insurance or a job to pay for it!
@Debra
There are no new rules regarding sleep apnea. If you feel that you do not suffer from this condition, then go somewhere else and get a DOT physical.
Why are they doing this? $$$$$$$
To better understand the confusion on sleep apnea screening, read this set of sleep apnea articles on our blog.