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Georgia CDL Requirements
All CDL holders have to certify driving type and, if required, keep a valid medical card on file with Georgia Department of Driver Services. Your certification of driving type tells DDS which qualifications you must meet to hold a CDL.
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
You must meet FMCSA driver qualification requirements. - Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
You must meet the medical requirements for Georgia.
If your medical examiner’s certificate is only valid with a vision, diabetes or a skills performance evaluation variance granted by FMCSA, you will also be asked by the DDS to provide a copy of that variance document. If you have a vision waiver granted by the DDS you will be required to provide a copy of that variance document.
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 above, they must maintain their medical certification or certify into an Excepted category.
If CDL holders are required to provide a medical certification then they must continue to carry all medical certification documents with them at all times even after completing the self-certification process with DDS.
CDL Self-Certification
Submit the following two documents:
- Commercial Driver Self Certification Form (DDS Form 1207) – download the form here from Georgia Department of Driver Services.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (Medical card only, not the long form.) Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
Online:
Visit the DDS website at https://online.dds.ga.gov/onlineservices/account/login.aspx
By Mail:
Department of Driver Services
Attn: RM-CDL
P. O. Box 80447
Conyers, GA 30013
By Fax:
(770) 918-6251
Important: Submissions via fax must be for individual customers. Submission of documentation for multiple customers may be sent by mail.
In Person:
You can submit your self-certification to any DDS Customer Service Center.
Medical Certification Update
Your license will be downgraded if you fail to keep your medical certification current. You may be required to re-test if you remain in a downgraded class for a long period of time.
You must provide a copy of each new DOT medical card to the Department prior to the expiration of the current DOT medical card.
You are also responsible for applying to FMCSA for a renewal of your variance. If you have a variance issued by the DDS you must apply for renewal of that variance prior to its expiration.
You may submit your new medical certificate online, by mail, fax, or in person, as described above.
Other Contact Information:
If you have any questions you can call 678-413-8400 or 1-866-754-3687 and ask for a medical certification customer service representative.
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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What is the lifespan of a CDL medical in Georgia? 1 year or 2 years? I just had the physical on May 5, 2022 and got a notice today, January 11, 2023, that I had to get another one within 90 days. Today plus 90 days isn’t even 12 months since my last one. I was looking at copies of my previous medicals and they were good for 2 years. Has the requirement changed or did the physician screw up on my last exam and put the wrong expiration date? Come on man, my mandated FAA medical to fly an airplane is good for 4 years. The CDL medical should be good for more than 10 months.
Can you please clarify this ?
@ Dave K
Look on your present medical card for its expiration date. That is how long it is good for. Then make sure the state has a copy of your present medical on file. This could just be a beuracratic screw-up.
My A1C was slightly high at my last DOT physical (Georgia). My medical card expires 12/6/2022. Will my CDL A status be revoked if the A1C is not within range before 12/6/2022? The doctor said he has me on hold for 20 days. My CSL is valid through January. Thank you.
@ Robert B
Your local drivers license department will best answer this question, since it is about your drivers license.
If your under Doctor’s care and your medical certificate expires what can you do
@ Terrence G
For a class A cdl. Much will depend on why you are under doctor’s care. You need a full medical release to return to work before you are qualified to have a DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination. DOT/FMCSA has ended their grace period for Covid. So as soon as you can be released, go get the medical card updated and get it to the state ASAP.
I let my medical card expire a couple years ago but my cdl hasn’t expired yet. Can I renew my med card and be certified again or do I have to retest?
@ Mike S
You will need to confirm that your cdl is still valid and has not been downgraded since you have no medical card. Check with your local DLD for guidance.
So my dot physical expired for ga 10 11 2022 which is on my license but my current job did a new one that expires 11 22 2022 I did not know that I had to upload the new one since I had a current one until today at 1am 10 11 2022 when disbatch told me that I had to so I did but it’s a holiday will I be OK I’m also taking my ne dot physical next month to. I’m so mad no one told me this at all
@ Kellie
DOT/FMCSA extended your grace period to the middle of October. You have a valid card until the 22 of November. If DLD has a valid copy on file now you are fine. Confirm with your local DLD.
Can I email a picture form of my medical card in before it expires ? If so what’s the contact email?
Georgia: Current CDL holder w/PTH endorsements, 1 year medical card due to heart stent.
What is the process if one failed DOT Physical, and was told to retest within 45 days and missed that 45 day return?
@ Marsh
Go and retest. Most likely you will redo the entire medical examination.
My medical certificate expired about 6 weeks ago. How long do I have before they downgrade my cdl A in Georgia. I will take my dot physical next week
@ William D B
DOT/FMCSA extended your grace period to the middle of October, so you should be fine.
My father has been out the country for 7 months having cataract surgery done with recovery.
His medical card has expired in the states but his license is valid for another 2 years or so.
Does he need to renew his license/will it be terminated since it has been inactive for 7 months?
Or does he only need to re do his medical exam? Can he get an extension on his medical exam from his previous one?
@ JR
Best to go get a new medical certification done and get it into the state right away.
Paid out of pocket at CVS for a dot physical but didn’t sleep enough hours with my sleep apnea machine. CVS won’t give me an extension on my medical card. Can I go to another physician to get an extension on my medical card?
@ Steve
There really is not an extension to be had. You can go for a second opinion, but the CME still needs to have 30 days of 70% compliance reports available.
I was told get a sleep apnea test to continue my medical card and my medical card was only valid for three months. I got my sleep apnea test done but due to a shortage in cpap machines it would take 8 to 10 weeks to get my equipment. How can I get an extension on my medical card until I can get the equipment?im in Atlanta ga
@ Trae
You will need to talk to the medical examiner and explain the situation. They may do an extension.
I was a class b cdl driver, but due to loss of work I haven’t renewed my DOT medical card for almost 3 years. What are the requirements needed to reinstate my class B license?
@ Brenda J. H
Since all cdl’s are state issued, you would need to check with your local drivers license department for guidance in this situation.
I have had my DOT physical. Do I need to go to DOT or can I fax them the forms?
@ Jerry M D
Check with Georgia DOT.
Does Georgia violate you for expired medical card
@ Cc
Check with Georgia to find out.
Did you find out?
How do U get a State waiver for vision?
@ Kevin W
You go to your local drivers license department and ask what their procedures are to acquire a vision waiver.
Does a pacemaker prevent a CDL medical card being issued in Ga. if there are no issues with it?
@ Phil B
A lot depends on the class cdl you hold. Also, whether the pacemaker has a defibrillator unit built in. If not a class A or no defibrillator then you should be fine. Confirm with your local drivers license department.
If someone travel overseas for a couple years and got georgia Class A license, dose that person need to come back every two years to United States to renew his physical card?
@ Ali
Each state has different guidelines and regulations that are not DOT/FMCSA. Contact Georgia drivers license department and explain your situation. They should guide you through their process and what you may have to do to maintain your class A license while your overseas.
Question? What is the A1C requirement or level needed in Georgia to pass a DOT medical? Does it need to be below a certain level?
@ david
A1c in a healthy person runs 4 to 5.6, above 5.7 indicates pre-diabetic and so on. Above that you are going to have sugar spillover in your urine. GA. may have specific levels and you would need to check with your local DLD for their guidelines.
What happens if med card expires in ga
@ David a
Each state is different. You need to check with your local DLD for guidance.
I heard that the automatic disqualification of diabetes had been changed and as long as a person’s A1C was within range that a CDL license was obtainable in Georgia. I am wanting to find out if that is true before I attempt to schedule a DOT physical.
@ Richard S
DOT/FMCSA have changed the guideline for insulin dependent diabetes. Your state may have different guidelines, so check with your state first and then consult a DOT medical examiner as to what he will need from you before completing a DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.