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Kentucky CDL Requirements
Kentucky law requires all CDL drivers to have a valid DOT medical card.
While FMCSA only requires medical certification for drivers operating in non‐excepted operations, Kentucky requires all CDL holders to be medically certified (601 KAR 1:005) regardless of category selected.
All Kentucky CDL Holders Must Be Medically Certified
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Self Certification and Medical Card Submission
Submit the following two documents:
- Commercial Driver License Self-Certification, form TC 94-169. Download the form here from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Driver Licensing.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (Medical card only, not the long form). Provide a legible copy of both front and back of the medical card. Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
Division of Driver Licensing
200 Metro St.
Frankfort, KY 40622
By Fax:
(502) 564-3250
By Email:
Scan and email to KYTC.CDL@ky.gov
Note: All CDL holders/applicants will receive written notification when the information has posted to their CDLIS record.
Other Information:
Link for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Applying for a CDL
Phone: Administrative Support Section 502-564-1257.
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…
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I have a cdl but recently retired. If I let me medical card expire can I still drive a car or do I need to go get a regular driver’s license to drive in Ky
@ Rick M
Most states will downgrade you to a standard license once you let your medical card expire. Check with your local drivers license department to confirm, but you can still drive a car. May be best if you do the downgrade, it may help if you decide to drive cdl again.
If a driver is off for a sickness, such as COVID or flu like symptoms, does he or she have to take a physical to return to work
@ Glenn K
For class A cdl, DOT/FMCSA requires a new medical certification examination once released to return to work. This is following any illness or injury that takes a driver off the road, for any period of time.
Can you provide the site for the portal to submit Med Cards to the state? If it was suspended for non submission, can they just upload it and it will be taken care of? How long once it is submitted will it take to reinstate? What actions need to be taken?
@ Rachel H
You will have to contact your states drivers license department for their process/procedure in this case.
Is there a place to verify the status of medical cards that have been uploaded to the portal ? The CDL Verification link is no longer active.
Do you need to take a class before you can get your cdl in ky??
@ Shanna R N
Check with your local DLD for guidance on this.
New law as of 04/2022, CDL physicals out of date more than a year but no more than 5 years, do not have to retest to renew his license. Here’s the kicker, my CDL physical was due to renew in May or 2020, COVID quarantine us up for a few months, got it in July 2020, two months over and they are making me retest to renew my license. Total trash of a rule… just cause it was approved in 2022, to help out , but no help for a pandemic related deal. Just don’t understand!
If my Class A CDL drivers license is issued in Kentucky. Do I have to to have a physical done in the state of Kentucky or can I have it done in any state but then transfer that certification to the Kentucky department of transportation?
@ Ervin C
You can get the medical certification examination done any where you find a CME. Then make sure your states drivers license department gets a copy to input into their system.
Anywhere you find a CME but would need to transfer it
Does anyone know the fines associated with Non-CDL commercial vehicles (plumber/construction/Etc) that is over 10001 but less than 26k not having a medical card?
I recieved my one year medical exam certification, with no restrictions, on July 22/2022. I uploaded it to Ky.CDL Medical Exam certificate portal,and it responded completed 07/22/2022, same day, today i recieved letter stating my CDL is suspended because my exam was not recieved. can this be corrected locally thru KSP, since the portal is down.
@ Lloyd T
Hopefully, since this is a state related issue.
If I have a CDL, do I need to carry my medical card if I’m driving my personal car? I don’t currently use my CDL and don’t want my medical card in my wallet.
@ Mike
Just take a picture of your medical card with your phone. That way it’s with you when you drive and only carry it when you are operating a cmv.
My Class A-CDL medical cert was issued 8/30/2021 and doesn’t expire until 8/30/2023 but I just received notice I need to update it before it expires. I went to the portal and tried but it said I couldn’t update it past 8/30/2022. I have every endorsement and no restrictions. Don’t know what I should do now.
@ Kelli S
Not sure who sent a renewal notice. If it came from the state, contact your local drivers license department.
i have submitted my physical and documents, how long does it usually take for them to un-suspend my CDL?
@ Jim
Each state has different process’s, best to check with your local drivers license department for your answer.
I had a driver stopped at the Weight station and was given a warning for not having his medical card. He was told he needs to send proof to FMCSA. How to I go about sending proof?
@ Todd P
This does not make sense, since the CME inputs the information to FMCSA when the examination is completed. Maybe it needs to be input into the states self certification data base. Check with the drivers license department.
I had my physical done on 12/10/21. The form my Dr had, said it expired the last day of November 2021. She said she was told to continue using the old form till the new one came out so she did. Move forward to March 5 2022 and I received a letter from the state of Kentucky that my physical had ran out and my CDL was not valid. Could this be due to the expiration date of the form.
@ Deon J
Highly unlikely. Most likely the state did not receive your updated physical and did not have it recorded. Best to check with your local drivers license department, as soon as possible, to confirm and get your medical card registered with the state.
Will suboxone stop me from getting my CDL?
@ Jerry
Don’t know about the cdl since it is state issued. You will have some difficulties with passing the medical examination for a class A driver.
I sure do hope so!!!!
Famers in KY don’t need a CDL to operate a semi. Do they need a medical card?
@ Ashley R
Confirm with KY drivers license department for the correct answer.
Yes
@ Ky Farms
Thanks, with each state having different rules and regulation, it falls to you guys and gals to check.
We do what we can with the federal stuff, but too much to do each state individually.
I sent renewal of dot physical and I just want to make sure all is good and if I need to do anything else.
@ Charles B jr
You need to check with your state DLD. They can confirm or deny receiving your paperwork.
I have a person that will be driving a 26′ box truck making deliveries around town. Is there any special license or certifications that they will have to have?
@ Scott
Not from a federal standpoint. Your state may require a valid medical card to operate your truck, but he would fall under the states variances and not federal DOT/FMCSA. Check with your states drivers license department for additional information.
I am a diabetic on insulin, is it still possible to pass a dot physical?
@ Dan H
It is possible to pass the medical card examination . You will need medical documentation from your treating physicians.
I am a commercial pilot and fly airplanes and helicopters for a living and have an FAA (DOT) Class 1 medical which was issued by a licensed and certified Medical Flight Surgeon (MD). I am required to updated it every 6 months and it surpasses all the FMSCA medical standards required for a CDL.
Question is, will this or can this be accepted as a DOT medical?
Hmmm
@ Alan B
FMCSA does not see it that way. If you are driving commercially, then you need a FMCSA medical certification card.