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Michigan CDL Requirements
All Michigan CDL holders are required to certify the type of commercial operation they’re engaged in.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. However, your medical certification does not need to be provided to the Department of State.
If you fail to comply you will be disqualified from operating a CMV. If the updated information is not received, your CDL will be downgraded to a Class D license within 60 days. Failure to restore your CDL within 12 months will require retesting.
Submitting your Self Certification and Medical Certificate to Michigan Department of State
Submit the following two documents:
- Michigan Department of State CDL Self-Certification Form – download the form here from Michigan Department of State.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (Medical card only, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
Submit Online
CDL Self and Medical Certification
Note: You will need to scan and upload your medical certification document in a PDF (preferred) or TIF format.
By Mail:
Michigan Department of State
CDL Help Desk
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, MI 48918
By Fax:
517-636-4359
In Person:
Visit any Secretary of State Office.
Other Information:
CDL Self Certification Frequently Asked Questions.
For additional information call 517-636-7474.
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! —
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My husband has a CDL. He had stents 8 years ago and his last stress test was 6 years ago. He has never been asked about either issue when going for a DOT physical. This year, the doctor doing the physical said that he has to have a stress test every year, within 3 months of his DOT physical. His cardiologist sees him every year and said that he doesn’t need stress tests anymore and that it is medically unnecessary, which means insurance isn’t going to pay for it. Why should we have to pay for medically unnecessary testing?
@ Ruth E J
FMCSA request a stress test every two years following any cardiac surgery. Your husband will need a medical release form from his cardiologist and stress test results done within the past two years. It’s a DOT/FMCSA guideline request for a cdl class A operator.
What if you have a defibrillator a s-icd implant can you still get a medical card
@ Al
It will depend on the class of the license you carry.
I’m a female school bus driver in Michigan, I’m in the middle of switching jobs to another company…..they’ve sent me for a DOT physical along with fingerprinting…. the doc ordered a sleep apnea study due to my weight and my neck measuring 17 inches instead of 16 inches… I took the 24 hr free study and low and behold I scored an 8 on the test which in turn put me in the mild category…
My question is; can the doctor that gave me my physical keep me from driving???
@ Moore J
You are a school bus driver. The examiner is holding you to a class A drivers standards. You fall under your states variances and not Federal DOT. You may want a second opinion from an examiner that understands the differences.
I have type 2 diabetes and on insulin. Can I get a class B license to drive a bus
@ Paul V
Best answer will come from your states DLD. You do not fall under the FMCSA guidelines and regulations, but your states variances.
In the state of MI, do you need to carry your Med Card?
@ Justin
Most states require a class A driver to have a copy of his medical card available at all times.
I have heard this both ways, that you DO have to carry it and that you DO NOT. The thing is now a full page of paper, gets prety thick in a wallet
@ Tim P
You will be ask for your medical card, so best be prepared to show it. Take a picture of the card and leave it on your phone. Put the hard copy in a safe place where you can produce it if needed.
I want to know if I will lose my CDL-A if I go for a sleep study and fail in the state of Michigan.
@ Amanda
Most likely not.
I currently have a CDL-A with a N endorsement, however I have not operated any CMV interstate or intrastate since Feb 2009. I just wish to hold on to the CDL-A license, in case I ever decide to go back to the trucking industry. Do I need to have a DOT medical card or is there a waiver of some sort in the state of Michigan?
@ Suchet
In most states a valid medical certificate is required to maintain a valid CDL. Check with your local drivers license department to confirm.
I drive a bus in Michigan , work 8 hours a day with a 30 minute break. Is there any law that will allow me to get out my seat to stretch?
Hi, what I remember of DOT rules (they probably have changed a few) you have a 10 hr drive time, a 14 hr work time. Totaling 14 hrs. A 10 hour sleeper berth time totaling 24 hrs. But you can stretch the drive time a tad if you go on a 2 hrs rest/sleeper berth time in the 10 hrs. So if you say drove for 4 hrs, and went on a 2 hr sleeper berth break, you gain hours back and can drive for 6 hrs.
I am sorry however I don’t know about busses. Hopefully someone does here and will answer you soon. All the best driver!!
There is No Law that compels you to stay in your seat the whole time you can get up and Stretch. any time you Stop and park the Bus.
Can you maintain your CDL with an artificial knee
@Ken
As long as you can perform the duties required of a cmv operator, you will do fine.