Click to find DOT physical locations in LOUISIANA
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
Louisiana CDL Requirements
All Louisiana CDL holders are required to be medically qualified to drive a CMV by the means of a valid DOT medical certificate, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Submitting your Medical Certificate to Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections Office of Motor Vehicles.
Submit the following documents:
- Supplemental Form For CDL Application – form DPSMV 2211 – download the form here.
- A current Physical Examination Form with a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate – form DPSMV 2219 – download the form here from Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections.
By Mail:
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
By Fax:
225-925-3901
By Email:
OMV_CDL_medical@dps.la.gov in PDF format
In Person:
At any Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles location.
Other Information:
CDL Self Certification Medicals Policy
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…
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 took a physical and everything went well until the asshole doctor noted I checked I had sleep apnea..its mild and I’m fully alert during the day, tried a cpap years ago and got no improvement. The asshole would not issue a CDL card saying I need to be on a cpap for 90days before I can take the test in La. The state folks I talked with said that’s not true. I need to be on it for 7dsys, after which I’m qualified for the card and then a review after 90days, then every year at medical . Can I go see another doctor to get oked??
@ Chris
If you are a class A driver, then make sure you have some supporting medical documentation regarding your mild sleep apnea. Then go elsewhere to get a second opinion. DOT/FMCSA for class A drivers requires a 30 day readout for an existing cpap user and a 90 day wait for someone just starting on a unit.
I’ve been on my cpap before but it didn’t work for me, even after months of countless adjustments…I get 5 to 6 hrs of sleep at night and don’t fall asleep or feel sleepy during the day. Your answer above seems confusing. La OMV told me I don’t need to be on cpap for 90 days before taking test. Only 7 days and then a review at 90 days.. how the hell do they document that?? Put cameras in my bedroom?? I mean really!!
So say I get my card from Texas…if I understand, it IS valid in La if I file it there to take the Class A test right??
@ Chris
So you are not a class A driver at this time. Then follow the guidelines that the La OMV have laid out for you. Your cpap should have readout capabilities, this is how they will monitor you compliance of use. At the 90 day mark for a class A driver, you will need to bring another readout showing 70% compliance.
I’m trying to get my med card married to my license by email and I’m not receiving a response
My CDL is from Louisiana and doesn’t expire til 2025 but my med card expired last year in may
If i get a new med card now will my class A still be in affect or do I have to start over
I haven’t driven since last Jan things just kind of stopped for me. I lost my son in feb 2020
I’m trying to get things back to the way they were again one step at a time
@ John
Cdl’s are state issued and each state is different, so best to check with your states drivers license department for guidance on this issue.
I’m from LA and my medical exam expired 1/29/2021 and was renewed 2/4/2021. Is there a grace period for a determination pending examination?
@ Sylvia
California is tough on cdl holders, but if you have a determination pending examination, you may be good for now. Confirm this with your local drivers license department.
Louisiana CDLClass B physical card expired while I was on medical leave due to surgery on my knee October 2020. Do I just go have another physical taken and bring to DMV to be certified again?
@ Keith
In most cases, yes, but confirm with your local drivers license department.
One of our employees needs to update his Medical card, do I just email it to the below address?
OMV CDL medical@dps.la.gov
I have a Louisiana cdl and need to get a dot medical card. I’m displaced due to the hurricanes, lost my house. Can I get a dot card from my neighboring state in Texas? Are do I have to get it in Louisiana since this is my licensing State., please if you know I would appreciate it.
@ Norman
Since your medical card is federal, you can acquire your medical certification from any state. So yes you can get it from TX. if that is best for you.
What exactly are the physical requirements to get a cdl? What’s the process other than passing the test at the DMV?
@ Justin
Each state has different guidelines and requirements. You need to check with your local drivers license department for your states requirements.
I just noticed my medical card experience in Aug how much time do I have to try to get a medical card before my license is downgrade i am Louisiana
@ Shalanda
Best bet is to get a new DOT medical card and get it turned into the state before they down grade your license. Otherwise check with your local drivers license department for your answer about downgrades.
Good evening,
As far as an expiration date, does it expire at 12:00am that day or after 11:59pm that night ??
@ Bryant B
11:59:59 p.m.
I had surgery for a subdural hematoma 7 weeks ago. Pressure was released from my brain. I recovered 100% with no problems. My medical card expired while I was out. I went to the location to recertify and was rejected because the examiner said I had a brain bleed. But a subdural hematoma is not a brain bleed, and is not a stroke. The examiner said I must sit out a year. I think he is not understanding the difference between what I had and what he thinks I had. Is this the correct action based on DOT medical card regulations?
@ Thomas G
The CME needs further information regarding the cause and over all effect that was brought about to cause the subdural hematoma. Get a medical release form from your medical doctor and any medical documentation your physician will provide. It helps the CME in his decision making process.
@ Thomas G
The CME needs further documentation regarding the cause of the hematoma. You will need a medical release form and medical documentation for the CME and his decision making process of potential risk.
If I’m transferring my cdl from California to Louisiana, and my medical card is still valid, do I have to get a new medical card with my new address listed? And if so, do I have to do my physical in Louisiana? Because my company requires us to only use Concentra for our physicals and the only Concentra in Louisiana is hundreds of miles from where I live, but there are Concentras all over the country and I have done my past physicals in a number of other states and submitted them to California dmv with no issues.
@ Robert
Your medical card is valid in all states and does not require a transfer. Make sure Louisiana has a copy of your valid medical card.
If your company wanting you to go to Concentra you mush work for Swift.
I have a cdl but haven’t driven in years and do not plan on driving commercial. I would like to keep my cdl in case I ever need it. Am I still required to have an annual dot physical or can I fill out an affidavit like on texas?
@ Paul
Most states want a valid medical card for your CDL. Check with your states DLD and see how they want it.
Texas and Louisiana will downgrade a CDL if there is not a current dot medical certificate on file.
Hi I have a class b cdl I haven’t been driving professionally for a while and I need to renew my license do I need a dot physical and if so what is the weight limitation last time I need a physical they made a comment about body mass index and laws changing
@ Big Joe 77
There are no FMCSA guidelines regarding weight alone. But you are a class b driver and thus fall under the states requirements. Check with your local DLD first.
I’m in Texas working for swift I have a Louisiana cdl A with a dot card all in Louisiana I’m asking a question do I need to register my dot medical card in Louisiana
@ John
If your drivers license is in Louisiana, then yes. Which ever state your drivers license is issued, requires your medical certificate be on file with the state.
I had to renew my physical doctors card in Texas. My question is… I’m from louisiana,and how do I SUBMIT my new physical card from Texas, to Louisiana
@ Rex S
Check with the Louisiana DLD for the best answer.
Louisiana Department of Public Safety – Office of Motor Vehicles provides a fax number, it was 225-925-3901 but you need to verify this.
You can take your paper copy into any La dmv and self certify your card to your license
U can email it to them I just did mines recently mailto:OMV_CDL_medical@dps.la.gov
I have a defibrillator and need to get a physical they are saying a defibrillator is not like a pace maker. My doctor told me a defibrillator is better than a pace maker. Will I still be able to get a medical card and physical I am in Louisiana?? Please Help need to go back to work?? 06/04/2018
@ Herman
Lots depend on the class driver license you carry. Class A OTR, FMCSA says no to passing your physical. Lesser classes or intra-state only and you should not have any issues, if all else is normal.
My husband’s company required a CDL. He is now retired & wants to keep his CDL – CLASS B license. He has always been required to get an updated medical exam annually due to high blood pressure. Where can he obtain the form for the doctor to complete (his company always did this)? Also can he fax it to OMV, email it or does it need to be returned in person?
@ LGA
The medical examiner who does the DOT medical certification exam will have all the forms needed. Check with OMV for the fax question.
If I lost the Orginal set of copies I received from the doctor. Can I get a replacement copy of my CDL physical from my job and update my physical with that?
@ Romalice
You do not need a copy to have a new DOT physical done. And yes, you could request a copy from your work so you have a copy for yourself
If u have a medical card and it not link can I use the one I have till it expires
@Cometric
No.
What do you need to carry with you. Medical card and long form or just card?
@Joe
By law FMCSA requires just medical card, not long form.
If you are a Louisiana CDL holder you might want to check with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety. There are several relatives of Barney Fife, or possibly Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, that work as DOT cops that will not accept a card but only the long-form, even though it is required to file a copy of the medical with the state and without this, the CDL will be downgraded.
A friend was put out of service yesterday north of Leesville, Louisiana. He had his card but not the long-form and the officer refused to even allow him to get in his truck. I would have likely been tased or arrested because that would be the only way an officer would prevent this. The officer waited until a replacement driver arrived, and my friend’s wife. Apparently he could not even ride in the truck.
I have been cleared by my personal doctor and a cardiologist but the DOTD doctor refuses to clear me beginning 3/7/17 – 3/28/17..she says it will take that long for her to read all my records and give a decision. Meanwhile she refuses to fill out a short term disability form so I can at least have money coming in. Can she do this?
@Richard
That sounds very unusual. 3 weeks to read records??? Maybe go somewhere else for your DOT physical.
Is a medical card required in Louisiana for a chauffeurs license, and if company requires it is it reimbursable by law?
@Ed
Most states grandfathered the chauffeurs license into existence, but it became a Class A license and now requires a valid medical card to maintain it.
As far as a company requiring a valid medical card and paying for it… That’s a question for the company and their policy, not a fed issue. Some companies do and others don’t pay, but it’s a company issue.
I need to take test for CDL don’t have an medical form I’m not currently with a company yet. How can I attain an long form for doctor?
@Keisha
Make sure the doctor is a certified medical examiner, and that office will have the forms. You should not have to provide the forms to the doctor.
Do I have to send in paperwork to the dmv when I take my physical
@Scott
Yes, the driver is responsible to get a copy of the latest medical card to DMV to be recorded with your drivers license.
If your company or the medical examiner’s office faxes the information make “sure” to follow up that it was received by the DMV as mistakes can happen.
If the medical card expires does the CDL expires too? Do I have to renew both of them or just the medical card?
@Jennifer
Just renew the medical card and update a copy with drivers license department.
You cannot drive on an expired medical card. Your drivers license may be downgraded if you do not update DMV with your new medical card within their time frame. Each state treats this process in their own way.
I have a question i went got my dot physical they give me a 3 month say i need a sleep apena test can i go some where esle this is in Louisiana
@Lamar
If you feel that the test may be uncalled for and you have no issues with your sleep, then you are welcome to get a second opinion from anywhere you like.
The FMCSA rule requiring some drivers to take a sleep apnea screening was rescinded in August 2017. Through a drivers own admittance or at a medical examiners discretion, possibly because of a respiratory condition that might be seen to affect a driver, a sleep apnea test could be required. The above “second opinion” is an option
I quit driving a commercial vehicle but want to keep my cdl seeing how hard they are to get do they have anything you can do to not have to have the physical unless you start driving again. No one can hire you without a current medical card, so they should have something so you don’t have to give up your cdl
How long do I have to get my dot physical renewed after it expires?
@Glenn
Your medical card died at midnight of its expiration date. You can get it renewed any time.
Just be sure not to drive on an expired medical card. Depending on the state, each state is different, your license may shortly be downgraded.
My D/L# (edited by admin). I would like to know how much time I have to get medical certification requirements? I receive my letter, on 04/25/2015. THANK YOU.
@Charles
We are not affiliated with any federal or state agency.
You’ll need to contact your state drivers license department.
went to get my physical renewed told would not renew it. gave me a 30 day renewal cause I need to get sleep apnea test said it was a new law for 2015 is this true in Louisiana? If not can I got get another opinion if company lets. the place we go is where company says to go get physical
No new laws regarding sleep apnea, so go else where or get a second opinion. Ask to see the law, just be polite. Can’t show you a law that does not exist.
For more information on this issue see our series of articles on Sleep Apnea Screening.