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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)918-6271
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
June 23, 2025: FMCSA electronic reporting requirements for DOT Medical Certificates will be fully enforced.
See detailed information at FMCSA Medical Examiner Certificate Reporting Requirements for CDL Drivers
CDL Drivers
The good news:
• You no longer have to go through the hassles of updating your medical card with your SDLA.
• You no longer have to carry your medical card with you.
Is there ‘not so good’ news?
Safeguard your CDL! How does the new DOT Medical Certificate reporting process affect your CDL?
Non-CDL Drivers
The electronic reporting requirements do not affect non-CDL drivers.
• The medical examiner must give you a physical MEC Form MCSA-5876.
• You should keep your medical certificate available at all times whilst driving a CMV.
• You will still need to provide a copy of the MEC to the companies you work for.
Your Feedback Is Welcome
Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
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I have not drove otr since 2009 , and have not used my license since (no local driving neither. I was not aware my license was switched to intra, now im trying to start back otr. would I have to take road test again? no dot card either.how do i get back otr?
@Yolanda
The only way you can know exactly what you need to do is to contact your local drivers license department. Your license has probably been downgraded or suspended.
We live in Georgia and my husband has to have a DOT card to drive the company truck, not CDL. He has a pacemaker with a defibrillator. He’s never had a heart attack but has a Pacemaker. The doctor told him that he can’t get a DOT card because he has a defibrillator. Is this true in all cases or just Georgia?
@Lynn
This is a state related question and you are trying to get your answer from your CME that is federally related.
So check with your local drivers license department and ask them what is needed. Since he will be driving intra-state only for work, they should have a policy that will get him a medical certificate and let him go from there. But it is up to the state to make the final decision if he is going to be intra-state only.
Yes, it’s true Georgia adheres to Federal laws
Diabetic 1, my sugar test 153 doctor said I failed as it should not be more than 140
Can I get a waiver regarding this?
@Nelson
How is the sugar being controlled?
For the DOT interstate cdl it would need to be below 140 and completely under control. So depending on how your condition is being controlled (insulin?) would determine your choices or whether you would need a waiver or not.
If I am on insulin but drive a company truck that doesn’t require a cdl do I have to have a dot card and if so can I get one on insulin?
@Shane
As far as I know every state requires a medical certificate for anyone driving a vehicle that is being used for commerce. That is any vehicle that has someone’s name on the side of the vehicle.
That being said, now you need to check with your local drivers license department and see what the states rules are regarding insulin. Fed. would require an insulin waiver, but the states have their own set of rules and their own waiver, which is what you will qualify for. Get the waiver first and then see what you have to do. Some states issue the waiver and the medical card for individuals in your situation, so check with your local DLD. Good Luck
In the state of Georgia, does an insulin dependent diabetic that drives INTRAstate only have to get the federal exemption?
@Angie
Check with your state, but I believe that your state has the basic waiver for intra-state only drivers on insulin.
Some states are following FMCSA guidelines, but most are establishing their own regulations for intra-state drivers.
I took a dot physical and passed everything but the vision cause im blind in my left eye. I only need for a non cdl job. Pls help me on what i can do to get a medical card .
@Shernard
If you passed everything else, then go to the state drivers license department and ask for a vision waiver from the state.
I am an federal employee with a CDL state of GA driving only military vehicle do I need to have a medical card?
@Anthony
You’ll need to check with your state. In most cases, as a military only driver, you would not need a card, but check with your branch officer or the state Drivers License Department.
My husband has his CDLs and interstate. We have always used the same doctor who does the DOT physical with all the forms. My question is when it is time to renew his physical card can he continue to go to the doctor he always has or now does he have to go to a doctor on the national registry of certified medical examiners? If so how would our current doctor who has always done them go about getting on the list of doctors on the National registry of certified medical examiners?
@Suzanne
Starting May 21, 2014, CMV drivers must have the DOT physical completed by a medical examiner who is FMCSA National Registry Certified.
See the FMCSA website for medical examiner certification.