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North Carolina CDL Requirements
No later than January 30, 2014, all CDL holders must provide information to the North Carolina DMV regarding the type of commercial motor vehicle operation they drive or expect to drive.
Drivers operating in non-excepted types of commerce will be required to submit a current DOT medical examiner’s certificate to the NC DMV to obtain a “certified” medical status as part of their driving record.
If you do not provide NC DMV with your self-certification and if required, your medical examiner’s certificate and any required variance document by January 30, 2014 – NC DMV will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non- excepted interstate/non-excepted intrastate commerce. You will have 30 days to respond or your entire NC driving privileges will be cancelled.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Submit your Self-Certification and Medical Certificate to North Carolina DMV
You are required to self-certify to a single type of commercial operation on your driver license. If you self-certify to non-excepted interstate or non-excepted intrastate, you must provide NC DMV with a copy of your current DOT medical examiner’s certificate and any applicable variance document.
Submit the following two documents:
- North Carolina Certification for CDL – download the form CDL-5 here from NC DMV.
- A copy of your valid DOT medical certificate. Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
NC Division of Motor Vehicles
CDL Medical Certification Unit
3126 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-3126
By Fax:
919-861-3915
By Email:
You may scan the documents (PDF) and email the attachments to cdlmedical@ncdot.gov. You should receive a confirmation email.
Keep Your Medical Card Current With North Carolina DMV
CDL holders required to have a ”certified” medical status who fail to provide and keep up-to-date their DOT medical examiner’s certificate with the NC DMV will become ”not-certified” and may lose their CDL.
If your medical card or variance expires and you do not provide NC DMV with a new one, the DMV will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non- excepted interstate/non-excepted intrastate commerce. You will have 30 days to respond or your entire NC driving privileges will be cancelled.
Before your medical card expires, you must have a new medical examination and obtain a new DOT medical examiner’s certificate.
Submit your renewed valid medical certificate to North Carolina DMV:
By Mail:
NC Division of Motor Vehicles
CDL Medical Certification Unit
3126 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-3126
By Fax:
919-861-3915
Other Information:
NCDOT new medical certification requirements guide
Phone: 919-861-3525
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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I am a previous CDL-A holder with doubles and hazmat. I now have a pacemaker with defibrilator. Blood pressure, heart rate and all other blood is near perfect. Will I be eligible for CDL again?
@ Larry W
The defibrillator is going to be the hold on your cdl, class A. DOT/FMCSA guidelines do not allow a defibrillator for OTR drivers. You might check into intra-state only. That way you fall under the states guidelines and variances.
My medical card expired in June. I did not catch it until December. I did not receive the normal notice in the mail to remind me. Am I still able to get my medical card renewed without any issues?
@ Scott
Most likely, but confirm with your states drivers license department since cdl’s are state issued.
I have narcolepsy (without cataplexy). I do not lose function of my limbs or anything at all, I just have a sleepy feeling when I’m not on my medication.
Despite this, I passed my DOT physical with Concentra in January 2021 with a doctor’s note approving me. However, I was forced via my job to take another physical with Novant in June 2021, and the doctor failed me before it even started, because “narcolepsy” is in my file. Despite notes from both my sleep doctor and regular physician, she failed me, and deemed me “permanently disqualified.”
Is a doctor allowed to “permanently disqualify” me from DOT when I just got my medical card approved 5 months prior to it? I just realized that I never heard anything from DOT confirming this, or revoking my medical card.
@ Christopher B D
As a class A driver, DOT/FMCSA is very strict on sleep disorders. With proper documentation from your doctors and any additional supporting documentation, you may be able to drive interstate. But the CME has to look at all the possible risk factors, but cannot deem you ” permanently disqualified”
I just passed the physical with the exception of my lazy eye. I don’t have a CDL license, but I drive a truck under 26,000 lbs occasionally for a non profit organization. In the past I was able to take the eye exam with both eyes, but it now states I must pass with 20/40 for each eye individually. What documentation do I need to exempt me from that requirement? I can pass with 20/20 using both eyes.
@ Ruth
Only if you carry a class A cdl would this situation apply. Since you are not a class A driver then your examiner needs know that you fall under the states guidelines and variances, not DOT/FMCSA. Make sure your examiner know the difference between the two.
I have to have Shoulder Replacement and can’t get a DOT physical because of that. If the N.C DOT downgrades my CDL When I can get re Certified will my CDL A be Reinstated
@ Richard G S
Since cdl are state issued, this would be a question for your local drivers license department.
I am stuck outside of the US . I am in Africa right now and Cannot fly back because of Covid19. My med card is going to expire in 01/15/2021. I am a NC CDL holder. I will loose my driving privileges if I don’t renew it in time.
What can I do? Is there a grace period?. Please help.
@ Hafid L
Some states will allow you to keep your cdl without a valid medical card in situations like yours. Some states will downgrade you or suspend your cdl until you present a valid medical certification. Each state is different. FMCSA has granted a short grace period, again, due to the difficulties created by the virus pandemic. Which means you have until the end of February. Check with your NC drivers license department and explain your situation. They should be able to guide you through their process.
I had an MI in 2016, insurance will not cover the stress echo required by DOT every two years, saying it isn’t medically necessary since it has been over two years and there are no related issues or diagnosis currently reported. Is there a waiver in NC for the stress echo?
@ Ricky C
If you are a class A driver, then the request for the stress test is federal. Not sure if your state has a waiver for the test, if you are not a class A driver. You may fall under the states variances if you are a lesser class cdl holder.