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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.
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I am an B.K.A. since 2021 on my right leg and a recent metatarsal amputation on my left foot in 3/23. I wanted to know as a type II diabetic insulin dependent with a history of heart disease. Can I get a CDL again? prior to that I had one for 19 years. In Illinois
@ Moises B F
Not saying it is impossible. It will take work and documentation from all your doctors. Also a skills performance evaluation before any CME is going to do a medical certification examination. A lesser class cdl, not class A, might be possible with your state.
I am currently on workman’s comp due to a work-related injury. I sustained an injury to my neck and it prevents me from driving. My DOT physical is coming up. How do I go about obtaining my DOT under my work-related injury?
@ Angel N
You don’t. DOT/FMCSA for a class A driver. You will need to be fully released to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, before going for a new medical certification examination. Talk with your local drivers license department (DLD) and follow their procedures for maintaining your cdl while in recovery.
If I am an Illinois CDL holder but I work in Iowa as an Excepted Intrastate Driver do I need a DOT Medical Certificate?
@ Garrett L
I most cases, cdl holders are required to have a valid medical card. Best to check with your local DLD for confirmation.
I have a CDL to drive a school bus in Illinois, but the company paid for the physical and is keeping it in my file. I thought that all drivers of any commercial licenses are supposed to carry a copy with them at all times. I have asked for a copy, but have been denied. Is this legal?
@ Jennifer W
You should have a copy of your medical card with you when you drive. Long form is not required while driving. Not sure about legalities, consult a legal advisor.
I retired at age 61 and can’t keep my CDL without a current DOT physical, I guess. That’s to bad ,my heart is a breakin’.
@ Lee R P
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. If you want to keep your cdl, it may require a medical card be on record. Confirm with your local DLD.
Can I get my DOT medical card before I get my CDL permit or do I have to wait until I get the permit?
@ Dominique
Check with your local drivers license department (DLD) for guidance.
I am retired and I don’t drive no more and I want to keep my CDL do I still have to get a medical card if I marked only drive in Illinois that would be interstate right
@ Charles D
You will need to confirm with your local drivers license department regarding the need for a medical card to maintain your cdl. Driving in one state only is intra-state. Interstate is going from state to state.
Do people have to have a DOT medical card if they drive a school bus in Illinois?
@ Joey C S
In most states, yes. Do confirm with your local DLD for clarity.
I have a 2 questions, I got my expiration notice in the mail about my DOT certificate expiring in July, do commerical drivers have to see a physical doctor to get renewed all over again or can we just go to the secretary of state office and they can renew it? Also is there a fee for renewal?
@ James Mc
You have to have a new medical certification examination done with a real live CME. Yes, there will be a cost for the doctors office.
I do have a question I currently have a CDL license do I have to downgrade it to an on CDL if I do not take the physical in the state of Illinois could I just claim the other classification or do you need a medical certificate to keep the CDL in the state of Illinois it’s going to be expiring in December and by then I’m not going to renew it
@ Richard L S
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain your cdl. In most states, if you do not provide evidence of a valid medical card, they simply down grade you to a standard drivers license. Best to confirm with your local DLD.
My DOT medical car expired 12/26/22 I did the exam on 12/23/22 and passed and got my certificate but did not submit it to the Illinois Secretary of State I just found out through My Job that my cdl license is suspended How can I do to resolve this and get my CDL back
@ Alamo
Take a copy of your medical card to your local drivers license department and have them input your data. That will do the trick.
I have my CDL and I did do my medical exam and have my certificate. I was not aware I had to send it in myself. Today I got a notice stating that they suspended my CDL license due to me not taking my medical exam (even though I did). What can I do?
@ Jason
Take a copy of your medical card to the drivers license department, as soon as possible, and have them input the information to their data base. That should fix the issue.
I didn’t update my medical card to the Illinois sectetary of State for 2 months. I was out of country for medical reasons). Now i received the notice of drivers license cancelation due to that. I’ve been driving for 15 years and that’s all I’m currently able to do. Please advice, any help is much appreciated.
@ Hans
Get your DOT/FMCSA medical examination done and get it to your local drivers license department ASAP. You may be lucky enough to get your cdl back with that. Easier to beg forgiveness.
I have a similar situation – out of country for medical reasons and will not be back before my medical card expires! Called the DOT in Springfield support number and had a lady telling me not to worry about it. Even though the letter and information online states that my DLC gets suspended and it might be necessary to re-do the whole process of CDL licensing agin, it’s not like that. She also advised to not change the type of my license but just get the Medical Test done whenever I recover from my injury and get back to US. Then bring that renewed medical card to any IL DMV and they’ll
Update the system. That’s it! No issues!
It sound’s simple and great to me, but I’m wondering if I can take their word for it.
@ DKey
It is highly unlikely that you would have to redo all the CDL testing all over, if you have a letter from your doctors and a new physical in hand.
Currently a CDL B and I want to drop the CDL to a regular license.
How do I do this?
Am I legal to drive a regular car if I don’t get a medical card?
Thank you
@ Scott L
This question will be best answered and is for your local DLD.
If someone has had a stroke, and are cleared by their doctors. When are the able to get a IL DOT certificate?
@ Andrew
For class A, interstate drivers, one year waiting period before eligible to sit DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination. Less class cdl’s fall under the states guidelines and variances. Check with your local drivers license department for state guidelines.
If someone holds a Illinois CDL can they have the DOT physical done in another state?
@ L
Yes, just make sure they are on the registry.
I currently hold a CDL in Illinois. I have NI as my status. I, however, do not currently drive. I just keep my CDL current. How would I change my status from NI to EI especially since my DOT physical is coming up on Jan 3, 2023. Would I just need to visit a local Illinois SOS in person or is there an easier way since we can only get in by online appointments only?
@ Tiffany
This question will be best answered by your local drivers license department.
My medical is due for renew in January, I am on light duty from a injury How do I proceed in regards to not being able to receive a medical card?
@ Daquavis S-P
You need to be fully released to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, before you can take your new medical certification examination.
If my medical card expired 11/05/22 how many days after do i have to renew it
@ Daniel
Legally none, but most states have a very short grace period due to bureaucratic backup. Get it done and get it registered with the state ASAP.
How early before my DOT med card expiration date am I allowed to renew it?
@ David A
Anytime you want.