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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
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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.