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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
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!
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! —
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Can my personal doctor provide my dot examination for a health card
@David
Not unless your personal doctor is an FMCSA certified medical examiner. If so, he/she will have an NRCME #.
I have a Excepted Intrastate License.
Do I need to send in a certification every year?
I drive for an LTL company. My medical card was renewed in 2015. At that time they did not give me a paper copy. Is this correct?
@Al
Yes, they should have given you a paper copy.
And it is up to you, the driver, to ensure that your drivers license department gets a copy of your current medical card to keep on file with your drivers license.
I am a Nebraska resident with a Nebraska 4-wheeler license. I drive part-time for Enterprise Rent-A-Car (based in Omaha NE) moving sedans (mostly) between cities in a 200-mile radius. There have been occasions when I have driven 26-foot box trucks licensed at 25,999 lbs GVW. That does not require a CDL. Recently, there is a perception that because some of these trucks are licensed in Iowa and driven in Iowa, a Medical Certification is necessary. Every vehicle I drive is less than 26,000 lbs, not transporting haz-mat, and not transporting passengers so a CDL is not required. Is the Medical Certification needed – especially in Iowa?
@Dean
In most states, any vehicle that is being used for commerce requires a medical certificate. So check with your local drivers license department and see what they have to say. It isn’t about the weight or the license, it’s about what the vehicles are used for, and that is making money.
I work for company driving a 3/4 ton pickup pulling a 20 ft trailer loaded with equipment within the stste of iowa and across state line in other states do I need a medical card
@Fred
If the vehicle is being used for commerce then you will, most likely, have to have a medical certificate.
does a class B cdl need a medical card
Yes!
where does a medical examiner test to get certification after taking classes
@Lou
Go to FMSCA, follow through to NRCME testing – then follow instructions.
Holy Moly sums it up well. I’ve read enough confusing flow charts with arrows and made enough direct calls that you think I’d know everything! Nope…Instead it seems to be up to interpretation and the help line refers us back to a confusing website or flow chart. I ask a simple question and they can’t give me an answer. I’ll bet the Officer on the side of the road will. My simple question was “Does a CDL driver pulling an NH3 tank with a pickup truck for the local co-op within the state of Iowa need a medical card?” Still searching for the answer.