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Minnesota CDL Requirements
Minnesota Statutes requires all CDL holders 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.
- All commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, Class A, B or C, must complete and submit the self-certification form for initial, renewal or change in class application.
- All CDL holders with a school bus endorsement MUST submit a current medical examiner’s certificate.
- If there is a change in your medical status or interstate/intrastate status you MUST provide a new self-certification form.
Submitting your Medical Certificate to Minnesota
Submit the following two documents:
- Commercial Driver License Medical Self-certification Form – download the form here Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services Division.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (Medical card only, not the long form.) Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
Driver and Vehicle Services Division
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 180
St. Paul, MN 55101-5180
By Fax:
(651) 297-4447
In Person:
Any local Driver and Vehicle Services Offices
Other Information:
Website: Minnesota Department of Public Safety
For all other concerns you can call 651-297-5029.
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…
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can you get a dot card with a probationary driver licence ?
@ Jeff
Check with your local driver license department for your best answer.
Am I required in Minnesota to give my medical long form to an employer?
@ Michael s
A copy of your long form, yes. Original long form, no.
Most companies need a copy of your paper work for their insurance purposes.
Can you explain the difference in the two for me?
@ SKloss
Since we answer hundreds of questions, what was your original question?
Do I need a Health Card to keep my Minnesota Class A, CDL License even if I am not driving a Class A, CDL, Commercial Vehicle?
@ Dan K
Most state require a valid card to maintain the class A cdl. Check with your state DLD for the best answer.
Yes if you want to keep your CDL
I am 62 and no accidents. I am going to drive a van for school. They are saying because I have good vision and only peripheral vision in other I may not get one. I do not have monocular the eye doc says. Will a vision waver have to be filled out or will I be denied?
@ Terri
If you driving a school bus and do not have have class A cdl, then you fall under your states guidelines and variances. Check with your local DLD for confirmation and if restrictions, what are they.
I went in to get a dot medical card for driving for my newest employer and the doctor turned me away because I have a mental health condition which I am currently on medication for it, and not having any issues, is there any exemption from that?
@ Brad
Lots will depend on the class cdl you are holding. The DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination was established for class A, long haul, interstate drivers, and is rather strict. If you carry a lesser cdl or only need a medical card to drive for someone else, then you fall under your states guidelines and variances, not DOT/FMCSA. The examiner should have request some additional information before even beginning. Get a second opinion, letting the office/examiner know what class license you are needing a medical card for.
Is it possible to receive an exemption if I have an Implantable Defibrillator implanted?
@ Steve M
Depends on the class cdl you hold. Class A interstate, there is no exemption via DOT/FMCSA. Intra-state only and lesser class cdl’s fall under the states guidelines and variances. There may be a chance there.
What are diebtus requirements
@ David
Please, could you be a bit more specific with your question. This can be a large area of discussion.
Can someone taking 10 mgs of methadone get an examiners cert to drive a NON cdl position?
@ nunyabidniss
The medical examiner will have questions and may ask for further documentation from your prescribing physician. But you fall under the states variances if you are not a class A driver, make sure the examiner understands your situation and position.
are there some parameters of diabetes that are acceptable for a cdl?
@ thompson
FMCSA has created a new set of parameters for diabetes. Check with a local DOT examiner to determine the proper documentation requirements.
The MN DMV took my class A. No tickets accidents always passed drug tests I’m the driver you want behind the wheel–too bad so sad they don’t care. I didn’t get the information about the health card/registration. I moved overseas, gave them my new address in case anything changed, discussed at length with them about any new laws before I left. too bad so sad, they said they sent me two letters warning me that my A would be pulled. I did not get them. I did leave them my German address. They were too lazy to put it into their system. Thanks DMV. Thanks again. I am glad I don’t live in the U.S. anymore. My way of earning a living is gone oh but they said I could go back to school and earn another A CDL. Wasn’t that useful information? Thanks for nothing DMV and good bye U.S.A.
the same thing happened to me, even though, i brought the medical certificate to the DMV in Prior lake, MN. When i called the commercial vehicle office, after being on hold for 27 minutes, they are smug and unhelpful. The driver shortage is going to get worse because i am not going through the steps to reinstate. (Thanks MN DMV). My driving record does not even have a parking ticket for the last 15 years +. Why do they need a copy when you must carry a valid copy…..job security for DMV?
My Health Card expires in about 3 weeks and I went in for my DOT physical in Minnesota and was told that because I have a broken ankle they will not even do a physical until I the ankle is completely healed and from what they said I can’t even get a 45 day extension, is this true?
@ Jeff F
Yes, you don’t pass the examination requirements, so the CME is saving you the hassle of failing you on the spot. Get healed up and then go for the examination. You might want to inform the state drivers license department of your situation so they don’t downgrade you before you can pass the certification process.
Man that’s BS . So sorry your medical examiner is an A** I did my DOT physical with a broken leg . It was my left leg . But I still passed . Of course it was in 2000. Go to a Chiropractor and tell him your situation… Make sure he is DOT certified though.
@ Joy
In 2000 your medical certification could be done by a physician that knew you, but did not know DOT’s regulations and guidelines. Then when DOT/FMCSA established the national registry, the medical examiner needed to know his medical AND the DOT/FMCSA regulation and guidelines. Thus the confusion.
I just got my new medical card and my old one expires tomorrow and I can’t get to the dmv till after the expiration date. Do I lose my cdl?
do I need a dot physical to drive a type three van transporting less than to students with a class d liscense?
Hello, I am a 16 year old new driver, I work during the summer for my dad, he owns a small electrical company. He has a Chevy 4500 Kodiak boom truck for light poles and etc. In MN, I need a DOT physical to drive this truck for him. I have been driving trucks around our property for years and this truck is a piece of cake. Question Is, can a 16 year old obtain a DOT physical? Or is there a restriction against it? Thanks!
@ Kaden G
You should be able to obtain a valid medical card, if your state allows you to operate the truck you described. Make sure the CME understands that you are under the states variances and not DOT/FMCSA guidelines and regulations. Check with your state drivers license department for any restrictions that may apply.
I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1986. I was on medication that stopped the seizures successfully. My doctor took me off of medication (dilantin) in 2005 and I have not been on medication since then and I have been seizure free for more that 20 years. Is it possible for me to pass a DOT physical? Or does this completely disqualify me?
I have scanned digital copy of my medical examiner’s certificate that is accessible from my phone or any device through the cloud in high definition. Is it acceptable to only have the digital copy in state of Minnesota?
It has all the information about the examiner, signatures and related information. Moreover, digital copy does not wear out unlike paper copy. Although it’s not a digital record, it is a digital copy that resembles the original one to one.
@Alkane
We focus on federal regulations, and cannot speak for MN state.
However, a clear digital copy should suffice for any traffic officer, as long as you have submitted your current medical card to your local DMV to keep on file with your drivers license.
Can I keep my CDL with out a ME if I’m not going to use until a later date?
@Kip
No, if your local drivers license department does not have a current medical certificate on file they will downgrade or suspend your license.
Each state treats this downgrade/upgrade process differently. Best to contact your local DLD directly to find out what you need to do if your medical card has already expired.
My husband had his DOT examine ,he is on blood thinner but his blood count was abnormal when he went in for his pro-time check due to having to taking Tylenol for a headache, can the DOT legally pull his license with an abnormal blood test??
@Ilene
The examiner cannot pull a drivers license, he can only control the medical card. You may want to go for a second opinion, now that his headache has subsided.
I took a dot physical in October 2016 and received a one year card. However I had to go to the hospital in February of 2017. Do I need to get a new physical now?
@Jake
FMCSA says yes, according to the guidelines and federal regs.
I had heard that a DOT physical needed to be done by a different physican/NP other than your regular medical physician. Is that correct?
@Brenda
A DOT medical certification should be done by an FMCSA certified medical examiner.
Your regular medical physician cannot do the physical unless he/she is FMCSA certified to do this exam.
My brother-in-law just failed his 2 year re-certification physical because he was considered over weight. The Dr. gave him a 3 month certificate and said he needed to loose 12 pounds in the next 3 months!
I have never heard of the regultions being so strict before….if this is true a lot of truckers and school bus drivers will loose their job.
Please let me know of any restrictions concerning weight and neck size!
@Wendy
There is no such a thing in the federal regulations. So there must be something else that is getting the CME all excited. How does a 12 pound weight loss move you from over-weight to normal?
I heard something about the neck size. I don’t know if they passed it or not.
@ Joy
When FMCSA first thought about screening for OSA, neck size and BMI were going to be part of the evaluation. That information went out and everyone who saw $ signs jumped in. Then it all got retracted, by DOT/FMCSA, within a month. But the promise of $ for nothing took over some of the chain ‘Doc in a Box” thinking, since they were already in bed with sleep study groups.
OSA should present with a multitude of signs and symptoms before requesting a sleep study. Neck size and BMI are only possiblity indicators.
If my DOT physical expires on 6/9, but I don’t get it done until the end of the month will my CDL be downgraded?
@Liz
Each state treats this process differently. Check with your local drivers license department to be sure.
Just can’t drive until you get your medical card in your hand don’t get caught with out it they will fine and pull your license.
Yes it will be downgraded in Mn.