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Iowa CDL Requirements
Iowa law requires all CDL drivers to have a valid DOT medical card, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
IMPORTANT: Drivers that are required to submit a Medical Examiner’s Certificate must submit a new certificate before the previous one expires to stay in compliance and avoid a downgrade of their CDL to a noncommercial license.
CDL Self Certification and Medical Examiner’s Certification
Self certify as a nonexcepted interstate or intrastate driver. Submit a copy of your valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate. (Medical card only, not the long form.) Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
Online:
If you are a current Iowa CDL holder, you may submit a self-certification by utilizing the following website: https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login. The website will provide further information on submitting your Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
By Mail:
Iowa Department of Transportation
Driver & Identification Services
PO Box 9204
Des Moines IA 50306-9204
By Fax:
515-239-1837
Electronically:
Submit it online using the Medical Certificate Submission form
In Person:
At any Iowa DL station or participating treasurer’s office.
Other Contact Information:
Website: Iowa Department of Transportation – Commercial Drivers
CDL Self Certification Reporting guide
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.
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am i required to have a medical card if i drive an 18 wheeler hauling grain for a farmer? the truck and the grain owned by the same farmer.
@ Dennis D P
Each state has different rules and regulations. In most states, if you carry a class A cdl, then a card is required to maintain your cdl. Best to confirm with your local DLD.
Mailed medical certificate to PO Box 9204, Des Moines, IA 50306-9204 by certified mail. It was returned as Not Deliverable As Addressed.
@ Mark
We checked our records and checked with IA. The address is still the same as we have on our website.
Understand the address is still the same. That is the address I used. Why was the certified mail letter to Office of Driver Services returned as “NOT DELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED UNABLE TO FORWARD”?
@ Mark
??? We can not answer for a state. Best to contact the state and ask them where to send or why it was not deliverable.
I contacted state, state contact said the address is correct and did not have a reason why letter was returned. I have contacted the postal service. Post office is researching. Thanks
@ Mark
You are welcome. We try to stay up with this stuff and it’s difficult to do all 50 states all the time.
Going to get my DOT physical renewed and was told that they needed my doctors notes and my last physical report in order to get my DOT approved. Is this true that the person doing the DOT physical can require this personal info.
@ Joe
If the CME has reason to believe that your situation requires additional information, then he can request it. Otherwise there is no reason for the request.