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Illinois CDL Requirements
Illinois law requires all CDL drivers to have a valid DOT medical card, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’ (EI) or (EA).
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. - Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
You must meet your State of licensure’s medical certification requirements.
CDL Self-Certification
Initial self-certification and submission of a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, can only be done…
In Person:
At one of 47 Illinois CDL facilities.
Medical Certificate Update
If you are a non-excepted interstate (NI) driver, you must provide the Secretary of State’s office with all updates of your Medical Certificate and/or Medical Variances prior to the corresponding expiration date(s).
After the initial self-certification, Medical Certificates (medical card only, not the long form) can later be renewed…
By Mail:
Secretary of State’s Office
Attn: CDL/Medical Area
2701 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, Il 62723
By Fax:
(217) 558-5156
By Email:
cdlmedicalcard@ilsos.net
Attach a scanned PDF file
Questions:
If you have any questions regarding your Medical Examiner’s Certificate
you may telephone (217) 785-3002
Other CDL Information:
Website: http://ilsos.net/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html
TIP: Not Driving, But Want to Keep Your CDL
Illinois SOS states:
“These CDL holders must continue to keep the medical certificate valid or change their medical category to one other than NI.”
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.
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I received a rescind letter before I sent my medcard in, but when I check on the state automated phone they said my license is valid. Do I have to worry about rescind letter
@ Jeff
Most of these correspondences are driven by computers and are automated. Just confirm with your local drivers license department that your medical card is on file and your license is in good shape.
my card expired can I update it to keep my cdl?
@ ant
Yes.
Is a drug test required while taking my physical for M.E. driving card
@ James W
A urine test is required during the examination, though it is not a drug screen. The employer may request an additional drug screen test during the hiring process.
I’m a class A driver and switched to a company that doesn’t leave the state. My tractor is apportioned, but I won’t leave the state of Illinois, am I allowed to do an intrastate physical?
@ Isaiah N
Intra-state limitations are a state by state related situation. Check with your local DLD for an answer.
I’M a Type 1 Diabetic, can I get a DOT medical card and drive a Class B straight truck for out of State Deliveries?
@ Stephen G
You fall under your states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Two things to be aware of. 1. Make sure your medical examiner understands the differences between fed regs and your state requirements. 2. First confirm with your state drivers license department, so you know what to be looking for in the states system and requirements.
My employer said I had to change my Illinois class C CDL license from interstate to intrastate to comply with my medical card. What do I have to do and why also is there a charge
@ Gale P
Since this has to be done at the state level and not federally, you will get your best answer from your states drivers license department.
Hello, I’m in IL and just did my yearly dot physical. I was deferred for HBP and had to do a sleep study because I was getting tired fast due to a lot of unwanted overtime. I have been off work since 2/22/22. Just did the sleep study 3/22/22 the problem I have is I was deferred pending all results and the sleep study takes 2 weeks for the results to come in this will put me past my grace period of 45 days. Will I have to take just the medical over or the whole cdl test? I just wanted to know my options because I haven’t taken the cdl test since 1986 and would not look forward to taking it again.
sn: that is my real email address…lol
@ Zen N
All you should have to retake is the medical.
I am a township road district employee with a Class A CDL. Do I need a medical card or do I fall under the EI or EA category?
@ ToddN
You will need to confirm with your local drivers license department for the best answer to the question.