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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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Do you have to have a medical card if you have a class C with no air brakes ??
@Joe
If your vehicle is used for commerce and weighs more than 10001 pounds, then the answer is yes.
Check with your local DLD and confirm what you need based on what you drive.
Why is it that I can mail, fax or email my husbands medical certification renew paperwork in for him but the closest DMV for CDL to us would not accept the paper work unless he was there in person. Just STUPID!
I had a three month extension on my dot for high bp, and missed the cut off date for the expiration date
After driving over the road for 8 months, I just learned that the computer system has me listed as a intrastate driver and my company shut me down. I must have made a mistake when self-certifying. Can i just go to the Illinois SOS and re-certify as an interstate driver. I have a current medical card that is less than 1 year old
@Greg
Just check with your state licensing department, you should be able to do what you’re asking.
How do I get another copy of my medical card if I lost it?
@Marcia
See FAQ – FMCSA card lost
Hi I have a driver IL that i just hired his medical card expires in three days, I just faxed his medical card to you, how long does it take for you too process it?
-thanks AJ,
@AJ
We ARE NOT A STATE AGENCY. Sorry, cannot help you with this.
This is a private website – DOT certified doctors helping the motor carrier industry with medical related questions.
Please call your local drivers license agency to confirm.
Can I still get a waiver from my eye doctor because I have one lazy eye
@Benny
Just get the eye portion of the DOT examination done by your eye doctor and that takes care of everything.
I just recently changed my cdl back to interstate because I’m going back over the road. When the company I applied to ran my background check it said disqualified under the medical card section. I can’t find my doctor on the registry list.the DMV didn’t see a problem when I called them. If its my doctor will I just need a new physical from a doc on the registry?
@Elmer
It would be helpful to find out why your card is disqualified.
When was your last physical done?
If it was done after May 21, 2014 and your doctor was not a CME, then all you need to do is get a new medical examination done by a doctor who is certified on the National Registry.