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Massachusetts CDL Requirements
Everyone in the State of Massachusetts who wishes to obtain or who currently holds a commercial driver license is federally required to inform the RMV of the type of commerce they plan to operate.
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. - Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
You must meet the Massachusetts State driver qualification requirements.
You should certify at the highest standard for which you qualify so as to not limit work opportunities. Non-Excepted Interstate (NI) is the broadest category and the one you should select if you meet the criteria, even if you currently do not consider yourself an interstate driver.
What if I can’t meet the medical qualifications for interstate commercial operation?
If you do not meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements, you may qualify for an intrastate medical waiver through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. This waiver permits operation of a CMV used in Massachusetts intrastate commerce only. Individuals who have been issued a intrastate medical waiver will have a W (waiver) restriction placed on their license.
CDL Self-Certification
Submit the following two documents:
- Massachusetts Department of Transportation CDL Self-Certification Form, T21893, download the form here from MassDOT.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (Medical card only, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
Online:
Go to Online services > Other > CDL Self-Certification
By Mail:
MassDOT, RMV Division
Driver Licensing
PO Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205
By Fax:
857-368-0818
In Person:
At any RMV branch office.
Medical Certificate Renewal
For NI and NA categorized drivers, self-certification is tied to the expiration date of the medical certificate, variance, SPE or waiver. Therefore, drivers will need to re-certify using the same form when they renew these documents. Depending on the validity period of your medical card, you will most likely have to re-certify every 1 to 2 years.
To avoid a downgrade of your CDL, make sure you renew your medical certificate and re-certify with MassDOT before your medical card’s expiration date. Use the CDL Self-Certification process, described above, to keep your Medical Certificate updated with Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Other Information:
Link to CDL Self Certification Frequently Asked Questions
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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My employee has a NA CDL. He actually needs a NI CDL. What is the process to change this?
@ Beth
All cdl’s are state issued and your best answer will come from your local drivers license department.
I have a medical card from my last company and it’s still good. Got a new job and another medical card. Do I wait for the first one to expire? Before I report the new one which expires a year later?
@ Eddy
if you received a new medical card, then the old one is now invalid. So report the new card to your local DLD for their records to be correct.
I’m in MA and I need to self certify by Sept 3rd but I have covid can’t get to dot physical until quarantine is done. Can I self certify after the expiration date or am I going to need go redo my road test?
@ Dennis
Self certify after you have a new medical card. Since your situation is like so many, you probably will not have to retest. But confirm with your local DLD.
I drove before I lost my left leg above the knee in 1984 through 1986. I have been trying to get my CDL for over a year. I passed the DOT physical exam. I had to go to an Orthopedic Surgeon in Boston to get approval for the FMCSA SPE certificate, which was difficult to find because most doctors didn’t know what it was. Went back to driving school and passed the CDL road test exam from Mass state troopers with a FMCSA SPE certificate. Received my CDL last month and then it was downgraded back to a Class D because I didn’t get approval from DOT SPE examiner. I had sent a copy of the license to the FMCSA office and they said that I have to take another road test but Mass is a closed state because of covid. Any legal recourse of getting the money back I’ve wasted on this?
How old do u have to be to get your dot
@ Jason
For a class A medical, 18 years old.
i loose my cdl because my medicai card expired ,i renew my medical card i can get back my cdl,what can i do
@ pedro f b
Check with your state drivers license department and ask about having your cdl reinstated.
I just failed my cdl med card because the dr said I am over 42yrs old and I have a 15 inch neck and a thick tongue and I don’t get my period any more. No joke! She says I should have my reg dr order a home test kit for sleep apnea. I am a female and not obese & no physical issues. Can I go somewhere else and get retested? I will lose my job if I lose my med card
@ Pissed Off
Yes, go get a second opinion. Someone is “way” over reading the DOT/FMCSA regs. and guidelines.