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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.
CDL Verification: Check your driver records online at CDL Verification
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. However, until that system is completed, 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 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.
Where do i get recertification forms. Had heart surgery and have been released to return to work but was told by dr that i would have to get forms for him to fill out.
@ Betty s
Check with one of the local DOT examiners offices near you.
I have had a spinal nerve stimulator placed inside my back. Will this dis qualify me from holding a class A CDL?
@ Michael
You will need to provide good supporting medical documentation to the CME at the time of your next DOT medical exam.
Concerning a non-CDL driver who drives a work vehicle with DOT # for work purposes but who does not haul/transport material commercially: does this person need a DOT physical? As far as the state of Kentucky DOT guidelines: what other documentation is required for this type of driver (driving record? drug testing?)
@ Sara
FMCSA medical certification is mostly for the big rig, long haul drivers, class A. To answer your question correctly we would suggest you check with local DLD.
If crossing state lines in the promotion of a business……If the GVWR of the vehicle is 10,001 or greater, yes. Or, if he pulls a trailer, even behind a pickup, and the combined CAPACITY (GCWR) exceeds 10,001 then, yes.The driver is required to have a DOT Physical and to carry either his card or long form of that physical. Note, this is related to the rated capacity of the vehicle(s) not the actual weight. However, no DOT drug screen is required until you get into CDL territory which is for vehicles at 23,000 or greater. The 10,001 lb to 23,000 lb area is where a lot of confusion resides. Many plumbers, electricians etc run outside of the rules everyday without knowing it.
How long after your dot medical card expires do you have before you lose your license or have to retake the written part?
@ Stephen B
Your cdl is state issued and each state has its own regulations and guidelines. You need to check with your state regarding the answer to this question.
Have a prospective driver but his Physical was not updated with State of Ky so it shows his MVR is NOT CERTIFIED. I have emailed his card and self certification papers in. How long does this normally take to be updated.
I was told by the doctor doing my DOT physical I have to take a stress test. However after contacting several clinics, hospitals, etc they tell me in order to do this I have to have a “referral” by said doctor. This was not offered nor mentioned at my physical visit?
@ Louis W
There must have been a reason for the request and it is outside the examiner role to make a request without proper reasoning.
If I had a small mild stroke and have no damage or issues, all cleared by the hospital doctor and personal doctor to return to work and drive does the state impose restrictions on my CDL? I do not drive across state lines and stay within one county.
Our organization has 3/4 ton pickup trucks that we use to run to customers sites. Do our technicians need a CDL and/or a DOT physical to drive these units?
@Jeff
Anyone who drives a vehicle for commercial purposes needs a medical certificate / DOT physical.
No they don’t need a CDL.
I was just put on insulin for my diabetes and have a class b CDL . I work for the county road department do I lose my CDL even though I don’t drive out of state and we drive official vehicles not commercial
@Jeff
Contact your local drivers license department for Kentucky intrastate only regulations.
I live in Kentucky and my brother has a logging business. Do I need a medical card to drive a family farm tag truck to haul the logs from where they are cut to the mill?
Farm tags are non cdl.
I had a pulmonary embolism 10 years ago and have had no other issues since.. Can I still get a cdl in Kentucky?
@John
Sure, as long as you can pass all the DOT physical requirements.
My KY CDL expired in 2006 because my physical was outdated. Do I have to start the whole prices over to be certified again. Driver test, pre-trip test, road test, and physical to get my CDL again?
@Ken
Most probably! Check with your local drivers license department as to all you need to do.
I have several small commercial trucks (under 10,000 lbs, non CDL) but still require DOT physicals. My understanding is physicals are now directly attached to you CDL license but are not required to be attached to a regular drivers license, is this correct? Regular license you carry physical card with you and it doesn’t get sent off somewhere to be merged or attached to your license?
@Robert
Yes, this is the case that we’re aware of in many states. Check with the local drivers license department in your state just to be sure.
I’m applying for a school bus drivers position. My question is can you be deaf in one ear (uncorrectable) and still pass the CDL physical?
@Howard
Yes.
I passed my DOT exam with flying colors. Then at end, Doc failed me on weight & stated I needed a sleep apnea test. I answered all questions correctly–I don’t fall asleep on job. But everyone that goes to the company doctor is failing due to their weight ONLY. So doc gives me 3 month card, but I can’t get in to do the apnea test within this time. So now I’m told I need another physical before I can get another 3 month card. This is CRAZY. It’s apparently a money making scheme. If I knew somewhere else to go for my DOT in Louisville KY, I certainly would. This is profiling of overweight people…yes I know some may have sleep apnea, but not all. And 2/3 of Americans are considered overweight.so there’s a lot of money being shuffled around for this testing.
Got letter from state of my saying my medical card expired. I did my physical and passed all that. The dr faced it in to the state twice. They are saying they didn’t get it. How do I get this straight?? Thanks
@Matthew
Only way is to make sure personally – send a copy by mail, fax, or email, then call KY TC and ask them to verify they’ve received it.
I drive a f550 truck with a 16 foot flatbed and its only 22,000 with truck and load. My question is what size truck requires a medical card? Do I need a medical card in order to drive this truck
@James
You need a medical card if you drive for commercial purposes no matter what vehicle you drive.
Who can provide the medical exam for non CDL medical cards in KY? Is the provider required to be on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners for this?
Can you be denied a dot due to seizures?
@Barbara
A solid, Yes. But you need to determine what type of driving you are going to be doing.
Interstate over the road, no deal without a seizure waiver from FMCSA.
Intra-state only falls in the state variances category. So check with your drivers license department.
Recently accepted a job offer but i have to obtain a DOT card in KY first. I have never had one before so i am not sure of how this goes. What type of physical is involved for this and what will i be expected to do? Thanks.
@Jason
See the article What Do I Need For A DOT Physical Exam?
I surrendered my cdl uponmoving here for no medical card. Im a AKA amputee. I got my cdl back a year later after retesting, self cettifying and dot physical. I also had to send in a packet to Atlanta Ga for spe certificate. All of this was done before my cdl would be granted back. Completed this and got it back. Went to work. Worked 14 months passed 3 inspections thought everything was fine. Last inspection in N Carolina got put out of service for not having spe waiver in my possession. Thought it was digitally connected to my license like medical card ? Come to find out noone had a record anywhere of my spe certificate. Upon further looking into. Address in Atlanta Georgia for spe certificate was the old federal building. Theymoved. I never got it back and it wasnt forwarded. All my driving records from 2 states, applications, job application, 2 doctor reports, dot physical came up missing in my packet I sent. This is vety frustrating and the old address is still online misleading other people. All that work came up missing and was never returned. So out of work now until I do it all again. Once I submit my dot physical stating I need spe certificate I am simutaniously faxing in the new spe packet jointly with my employerto Chicago yhis time since my employer isin Ohio we can do this. How long does Ky keep my cdl valid untilI actually receive my waiver because I do not know how long it takes them ? Thank you.
@G B
Sorry we cannot answer your question because it pertains to your drivers license and state related.
The only people who can give you the specific answer to this is your local drivers license department.
P.S. We are a group of doctors who try to help drivers with medically related questions for their medical certification – and more oriented to federal regulations.
I drive a company truck and have for years. I only have a DOT. My question is I’ve always had it renewed but this morning she said I had sleep apnea. I’ve never had a problem sleeping and have never fell asleep driving. I live in Ky and the farthest I drive is ti Indy. My wife thinks I need to get a second opnion so can I go elsewhere and pay myself to get my DOT renewed?
@James
Second opinion somewhere else would make the most sense. Someone is over stepping their ass-u-med authority.
There seems to be a new “rule”. If your neck measures over 18 inches you will need to have a sleep study done. No doctor can tell however by just looking at you that you have sleep apena. Every year they seem to get more personal. Said that my husband had diabetes simply by testing his urine. That was 3 years ago and he sees his family doctor regualrly and never has had a diabete reading on his A1C blood test. This did cause him to have to get a physical every year instead of every other year. See your own personal physican yearly instead of the quacks at the state level.
I am not an MD, but work for a large insurance Co in KY and the spouse of a soon to be CDL driver. I can tell you first handed that once you hit a certain age a larger portion of your regularly seen doctors will push off sleep apnea as a cure all for anything you originally went in for. Defiantly see a new provider and don’t even mention the other one saying sleep apnea. I have family and friends that swear it helps them and others, like myself, that do not believe any of it. It’s not a cheap fix.
I plan on driving a company delivery truck which has a gross weight where a CDL is not required but a Medical Card is required. This truck will go out of state also. Do I need to self-submit my medical card in KY and, if so, what box do I need to check when describing what type of driving I expect to do?
@Fred
Yes you do have to self-submit. Your type of driving is “Non-excepted interstate”.
I relinquish my cdls because the doctors said I had DVT but I haven’t had that since they found rh pe iin my lung thendrs said one year it would go away no more thinners but what I want to know is how dob I get my cdl back
@Carol
You go and check with your local drivers license department and ask them this question.
Can i drive cdl-a after having a small stroke? I didn’t have any nerve damage and the doctor said i was ok to drive .they dont know when it happend all they could tell me it was over two months less than 6 months.
@Joe
Class A after a stroke is going to go by FMCSA guidelines with a one year waiting period, unless you can get your doctor to explain to the CME where and how extensive the stroke was. It’s going to take a little time, but it is do-able. Good Luck
If I had a dot medical card done 2/04/16 and it was good for 1 year and and had one done a week later for a different company that did not go to work for does the one done on 2/04/16 is it stll good or does the last
@terry
The last medical certificate is the one that is in effect now.
Does KY require a medical card for non Cdl commercial vehicles?
i would like to know answer to that also
Yes you do,if you have a DOT number on the vehicle and you must stop at any and all waight stations,be for leaving the state make sure your company vehicle is regestard in the state you will be driving into,hefty fines and/ or jail could be the result,and remember no fire arms in a commercial vehicle and us a headset for cell phones,fines for cell phone use in ky is $1300 for the driver and $13,000 for the company,most likely your gonna lose your job over this and always check your waight,add truck and trailer waight if that’s what your driving and subtract the waight shown on your tag and that’s what you can haul,I’d recommend staying under at least 150 lbs or so
Thank you @Bandit!
I have been off the road for over a year, my medical car expired and ky suspended my cdl, what is the requirement to re-instate my cdl, start all over or get a new medical card and pay re-instatement fee?
Just trying to figure it out
@Paul
Every state treats this process differently. Check with you state DLD to get this information.
What is required in Kentucky for dot physical if you have had a heart attack?
@Donnie
The rules are the same every where. A medical release form from your cardiologist and a recent physical stress test done within the past two years. If you are on medications, then a list of your medications. You medical certificate will be good for one year at the time. If the CME needs any additional findings, he may request additional information from the treating physician.
i got a 3 month medical card do i have go back to same place to renew agin
Yes, before the 3 months expires, you must renew
What if my medical card expired and i drive a bus. will i have to retake the bus exam or just renew my card
You can go to any Dr. for your renewal. Only thing is you’ll have to pay for your exam again. Most times if your issued a three month card, you go back when your issue has been resolved and they’ll issue your card back dated to your original exam date. You don’t have t wait 3mos. You can come back the next day, week or whatever.
Mostly what you should be aware of is alot of the Medical Facility’s impose additional guidelines in addition to the DOT requirements.
For instance, I have Diabetes. The DOT guideline is an A1C below 10 to receive a 12 month card. Some Med. Facility’s in my area will require an A1C of 8 or 7 to issue the full yr.
In the case your not getting what you pd for. If you have an ailment such as this or High BP, or what have. Your already being seen an treated by a Qualified Medical Professional.
Know what the DOT guidelines are. You can buy a book at most Truckstops printed by the FMCA with this information in black and white. If your within the criteria argue the point. If denied demand a refund and go elsewhere. You require only a DOT Physical, your not there seeking treatment or a diagnosis. Know your rights.
do you have a grace period for your med.card when it expires for Ky.
@Jimmy
No grace period for driving.
Each state is different on their downgrade process.
I am moving to Kentucky later this year. I currently hold an Indiana cdl class b with passenger, school bus and airbrake endorsements. What would I have to do to change over?
@Stacy
Our focus on this website is medical card related.
You’ll need to check with a Kentucky Drivers License Department about drivers license inquiries.
Do you have to have you old med card to renew it?
@James
No.
You do need picture ID – your drivers license.
No but you must renew before the old one expires
I have Tourette’s syndrome controlled by prescription drugs. Would this be a deterrent from getting training for a CDL -A.?
@David
Just get your prescribing doctor to complete a medical release form explaining your medications and usage. That should answer any questions that the CME will have. You should be good to go from there.
I have had heart surgery. I will not be able to take my CDL medical (carry 50 pounds, etc.) before March 9. My medical for my school bus CDL expires February 24. Will I need to start over with full driving test, etc., or can I request a delay?
@Michael
Check with your state DLD to determine if that is possible. You should not have to re-take all of the testing, considering you are out on a medical condition.
Driver Medical Cards – the expiration date on their medical cards is provided by the Nat’l Register Doctor. The driver then provides a copy to KY DMV. We are required to run the MVR to verify the State has a copy so his/her CDL won’t be downgraded, suspended or revolked. If we see the date is wrong, driver is required to contact the DMV again to get corrected. It happens quite often the dates are not correct on the MVR. Today, I currently have 2 examples: MC – Expires 12/30/15 and MVR shows expires 12/16/19 – other – MC – expires 11/25/15 and MVR shows expires 12/12/2019. Why is the expiration date on MVR different? We appreciate your help.
Why doesn’t KY have the downgrade to intrastate endorsement which does not require a physical card, as other states have done for someone who wants to keep a CDL but doesn’t actively drive commercially?
That is a good question one I had as well. Had to surrender my cdl and a year later got them back after re testing and jumping thru hoops. Ridiculous.
I send the application with Medical examination card and self certification to the DMV by fax , but I send it two times to them, is that a problem or it’s ok ??
@Elhousseine
Most fax machines let you know if the fax didn’t go through. So if you know that the fax went through successfully, that’s all you should need to do.
If something is wrong, you’ll most likely receive a letter from DMV letting you know there is a problem with your records.
What is the length of time a CDL driver must remain off work after a syncope incident (whie driving)? Thanks!
@Sandra
There is no specific wait time.
The issue will be, “What caused the syncope, and has it been resolved?” Once the underlying condition is diagnosed and treated, and treatment has been shown to be adequate/effective, safe, and stable, by your treating physician, then you can go back to driving.
Be aware that your medical card will be good for one year due to the episode.
I have had Remitting/Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis for over 20 years. Will I be eligible to apply for a CDL?? I only have a slight balance issue when I walk? Kelly
@Kelly
Get a note from your primary healthcare provider stating your condition and any limitations.
This will help the DOT examiner make a more informed decision about your condition and whether you are medical fit to operate a CMV.
My employer has informed me that we no longer are required to have a valid med card to operate a vehicle licensed for under 26,000 pounds. Is this correct? I currently hold a cdl but do not intend to renew it, as at my age I doubt I will ever drive a big rig again. If I do not renew my med card will I still be able to drive a non cdl vehicle or do I need to get my license changed. My current med card expires in late Feb. thanks for your concern and reply.
@David
Not real sure this is correct, each state may be different.
Example: In Utah, if you are driving a vehicle in excess of 10,001 pounds, you’d better have a medical certificate.
So I would check with your local Driver Licensing office and confirm your employer’s comment.