Click to find DOT physical locations in KENTUCKY
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
updated: March 8, 2024
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
We will no longer accept any documents submitted through fax and/or e-mail.
MyCDL website:
You now must submit your Medical Certifications, Self-Certifications and Commercial Applications through the KY MyCDL website
First time users will need to create a Kentucky Business One Stop (KBOS) account, if you don’t already have one. This account creation is a one-time requirement. You will use the same User ID and Password each time you log into your KBOS account.
By submitting your documents through the MyCDL website, you will receive an immediate confirmation email that the document(s) are received and another email when the CDLIS driving record has been updated.
We believe this service will make document submission and processing faster and easier for everyone. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
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.
! To save us all from zombie spammers, your feedback will not appear on this page until it has been approved. Visit this page again soon to see your comment, and others too.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
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.