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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! —
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Would I qualify for a DOT card if I’m driving son a restricted drivers license? I don’t have or need a CDL for driving hotshots. I also have my own authority and my dui was 10 years ago.
@Sylvester
Medical card is to determine fit for duty status. As a hot shot driver all you need is a valid medical card. As far as a restricted license, you need to check with your local drivers license department in regards to what and where you can drive. You fall into state variances and not federal.
hi My name is Simon and i have a problem,My physical expired last year 11/11/2015, i didnt know that i have to renew it, now i just checked my license it says its suspended and i have 19 points, i never received any letter that i need to go to court or i need to send a new medical card
@Simon
You need to contact your local drivers license department in person to take care of this situation.
Does the medical card requirements include drug screening?
@Delia
The DOT physical exam to get your medical card, does not include a drug screen.
This does not mean that any Company you want to work for, will not request a pre-employment drug test — they most likely will. But the DOT physical exam requirements do not include a drug test.
I have a new medical card forgot to have it out on my cdl3 dua past do how long do u have anybody know
@Jason
Get your new madical card updated with your local drivers license department asap. Each state treats the downgrade process differently.
I currently reside in illinois. Ever since I was infant was hospitalized for a tumor in my eye. I went under surgery and unfortunately my eye was removed. I obtain a Class C but I am not able to obtain a DOT. Is there anything I can do or obtain through the DMV to obtain a DOT, maybe a waiver or something?
@Jesus
I am assuming that you mean a DOT medical certificate. If that is the case as a class C driver you would need to check with your local drivers license department and see what type of visual waiver you will need to drive legally. It may also require you to drive intra-state only vs. a interstate waiver. Both of these questions will be best answered by your local DLD.
our company employs a driver that had a very serious heart event occur 2 yrs ago…….ripped/torn aorta and near death. doctors induced coma after surgery. stomach/colon area/organs failed and employee now has colostomy bag. unsure of any other conditions but still needs occasional trips to doc and/or er unit with infections or intestinal problems. employee wants to resume driving truck for us but we are very wary of his overall condition and the potential dangers to himself and others on the roads/interstate hwys in our market with tractor/trailer and construction equipment as loads.
what exactly must we have from doctors to even consider him safe to drive and not be a threat to himself or others? claims his cdl is in good standing and a few months ago, he produced a short ‘return to work’ note from one of his doctors……..which clearly is not enough support in this situation. thank you.
@Larry
Any good CME is going to see that your driver does not meet the standards of medically fit for duty and will not pass the recertification process. Leave it to the CME to make the final decision. He must be medically fit for duty before he can get a medical certificate and start driving again.
I currently drive a school bus for a private company. They do not use air brakes. I have a restriction that I cannot go out of state (IL), as I cannot get a med card, and must provide a doctors note stating I am under their care. I applied for a school district where I must get air brake endorsement. Will this be a problem – can they deny me employment because of my restriction – are they allowed to even know about it before offering a position to me?
@Kat
Sorry we don’t have an answer for you. Our focus is on how to get DOT medical certification.
Is the 217 number where I can fax my DOT results?
whats the fine in illinois for not having medical card?