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.
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…
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.
I submitted my new medical card online and it was approved but my job needs to see it on my MVR, how long will that take?
@ Jayden
State related question not federal.
I am trying to get my medical card renewed again but the doctor will not renew it because I had and accident 10 years ago up north my doctors that took care of me signed off on me when I was able to go back to work and I have all the paper work showing that they signed off, this doctor here in florida says I have to get my primary doctor down here to sign off on it I have been renewing my DOT card ever time it is due with no problem up until now she says its florida law even though it has been 10 years and was cleared by my neurological doctor and my plastic surgeron can you help me out in anyway way the funny part is I renew my card at the same place last year.
@ Bill K
This is a state of Florida issue and will be best answered by someone at the states drivers license department.
Hi,
I can no longer do intense labor, day in and day out. Am I barking up the wrong tree going for the Class A CDL?
Also, if it’s a “go,” can I save money on these expensive ELDT Schools or is there no way around shelling out $5000-$7000? I’m facing divorce and looking to re-train for a new career.
@ Jay
Class A cdl holders that drive interstate are sitting for hours at a time. Most companies do not require you to unload, that is left to a lumper. There are companies that will train you on the job, but they will take advantage of you. Tough call if you can not do 10,11 hour work days as an interstate driver, away from home for weeks at a time.
I want to change license with cdl endorsement from Pa to Fl Im retired but want to maintain cdl because im young enough to drive truck again if I needed to. Why do I have to pay to get a medical card if not currently driving? The companies require you to get a phsical when hired. Seems like just another layer of beurocratic bullshit.
@ Jeffery C T
Agreed, and if you want to keep your cdl, then you play the game.
I have my CDL DL suspended for a three years, do i still have to do my physical exam
and update med card with a DMV ?
Thank you in advance !
@ Milos B
Best answer will come from your local drivers license department.
If you fail the initial dot urine test for school does that disqualify you from being able to reapply for your cdl school?
@ Jeremy
You need to check with the cdl school for your best answer.
Do I need to carry the long form too or do I just need the card
@ William S
It’s a tricky question. On the bottom of the long form it says to carry the medical card, not the long form. And there are DOT officers who want to see the long form. Have a copy or pictures on your phone of the long form and carry the card.
You do not have to carry the long form. If an officer wants to see the long form they are breaking Hippa laws. Hippa protects you from having to provide your medical examination information to just anybody that wants to see it. Your card provides the information they need. You don’t even have to carry the card anymore. The DMV lists your medical status on your mvr.
@ Shilesta R
You are correct on the long form situation. The medical card may still be required since not all states have managed to connect medical certs to cdl’s. DOT/FMCSA has recommended you continue to carry your card when driving.
Too much bureaucracy along with the steep costs of having physicals done does not make it advantageous for CDL drivers. I agree oversight and being physically able to drive is required, but the states and the federal government need to make it more reasonable for drivers to get and maintain their licenses. It has become almost abusive, especially when more and more drivers and needed.
@ Dan
We agree.
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
@ 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.
Do drivers of non-CDL commercial trucks need a DOT medical exam?
@ Cam
This is a state related question and will be best answered by your local DLD.
Even if your medical is o n your lincence that the state requires you still need to carry paper work still
@ 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.
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?
@ 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.
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.
@ 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.
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
@ Black g
You should be able to use your present medical card.
I’m new to Florida do I need my dot card in order to take my permit test?
@ Tar
Most likely, but confirm with Florida DLD.
Can my PCP also be my medical examiner for DOT?
@ Michelle
If they are on the national registry, then you can use them.
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
@ John
Get a new medical certificate, get it into DLD ASAP, and you should be good to go
I received a DUI in 2015 will this disqualify me from getting my CDL now 2022
@ Terrie C
CDL’s are a state provided document, so your question needs to be with your state drivers license department.
if blood pressure is higher than 140/90 in Florida is it disqualified?
@ Jayjezzy
A bp of 140/90 is still a passing bp, anything above it becomes a question and should be addressed.
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?
@ 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.
I gave my CDL and upgrade to regular driver license,can I get my CDL back? Any one no ?
@ Eddie
CDL’s are state issued, so you will need to check with your local drivers license department for their procedures.
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.
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?
@ Nicole
There should be no reason or known limitation to acquiring a cdl in this case. But confirm with your local drivers license department.