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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, LIC103_0118, download the form here from MassDOT.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate only, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
Online:
Go to myRMV Online Service Center
By Mail:
MassDOT, RMV Division
Driver Licensing
PO Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205
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.
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
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My boss is dragging his feet getting his portion filled out iso I can mail my application into DOT for my new certificate that expires on my birthday , any advice
@ Nancy
FMCSA does not ever mail a new DOT medical certificate. It requires that you go to a certified medical examiner from FMCSA and have an examination done. All medical examiners have all the forms that are needed.
The DOT certificate is good for two years from the date of the physical.
If you get the physical on your birthday it would expire on your birthday.
@ oldbigt
Usually if you had it done on your birthday, then your card would expire at midnight of the day before your birthday. Usually, but…
my first self certificate was on the 29th of the month.in order to get the next years in on time I made my appointment for the 15th.next year the 9th.now I am going on the 3rd because there is no set expiration date .the day of exam is it..next time I will back into the previous month .why the hell don’t they make the expiration day on your birthday.im in mass is it that way everywhere?
Is there a Grace period after expiration date of medical card ?
5 day grace period at my job. But I would check with the DMV
I have a regular license and drive a pick up truck from work with comercial plate, I was told I need a medical card , my question is : should the company pay for it once I just need for work or I have to pay myself?
I am a heavy truck mechanic require a CDL even to move vehicles around the yard is there a waiver for a sleep apnea I do not have it but I am overweight and local doctor refuses to give me a Dot card because of it
@Richard
Explain the type of driving that you do. You could probably go “intra-state only” as a driver. That puts you under the states variances and not FMCSA, interstate.
I use marijuana, never at work. I need to get a Medical card for a non cdl required vehicle. Will I be drug tested for marijuana, even though it is legal in Mass?
@Ron
DOT medical examintions do not include drug testing.
Jobs require pre-employment drug screening and random drug testing. It will be up to the employer and company’s policy.
Hi i have an IL dl class C 26000 or less i moved in MA and i need to renew my medical card which have expired in april this year im trying to find out what are the requirements of getting one what do i need to bring with me do they do drug testing and is it possible to get a medical in MA with IL dl? Thanks in advance
@WPH
Medical card is valid nationwide if it’s for interstate driving, and you can get your medical card from any certified medical examiner in any state.
Here’s a link to our free DOT Physical Guidebook.
I was drug tested @ the medical exam for my med. card in Mass.
For what reason?
medical examiners do not drug test. They do a urinalysis checking for blood, protein, and glucose in your urine
I drive a small box truck 3 or 4 times a week. I have a regular drivers license. My company sends me for a physical once a year. Is this necessary?
@Kenneth
If the truck you drive is being used for commercial purposes, then your state, more than likely, wants you to have a valid medical card. You should check with your local drivers license department to confirm the facts.
I have a class A license in Massachusetts, however I no longer drive trucks and don’t plan to in the future. I’d like to keep the license just to have it. Do I still have to get a medical card every 2 years or is there a way to make my CDL inactive?
@Eric
Yes you need a current medical certificate to keep your CDL.
Best is to call your local drivers license department about downgrading your license. They may have a process where you can reinstate your CDL within a specific period if you need it.