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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 retired March 2021 and was required to have CDL’s. I would like to keep them but don’t want the hassle of the dot physical. Is there a way to make this happen?
@ Ronald A
Since your license is a state issued item, you need to check with your local drivers license department for guidance on this issue.
Hi! What if you had a Class A CDL in NC, but never ended up using due to taking a job for a couple years under a Class B CDL. Would I have to take the test all over again or is there an easy way to get it re-instated?
Thanks!
@ Steve
You need to get your best answer from your local drivers license department.
I would like to drive a non CDL truck but I need my DOT physical but I have a problem with my left eye is there anyway that I can still get my DOT physical and be able to drive
@ Ty
If you are presently driving on a valid drivers license, then you should not have any issues. You fall under the states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA.
Make sure your examiner understands the difference and does the examination by your states requirements.
Hi,
I currently hold a CDL class B and I have a DOT medical certification that will expire July 7th. I am not currently driving a CMV. In the past when I was not operating a CMV. I was still able to keep my CDL’s by having a K endorsement put on my license. Is this option still available?
Thank you
@ Priscilla
By holding a class B cdl, you fall under your states guidelines and regulations, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
If I missed the Raleigh,NC DMV office hours to submit my updated DOT Physical and Medical Card can I submit the forms the following day (eg; I got my updated DOT Physical Medcard information on the 4th at 1700Hours, Can I submit the paperwork to the DMV on the 5th at 0800)
@ Timothy C E
That should not be a problem, but confirm with DMV.
Do I have to get my DOT physical from the state I’m liceing out of
@ Mark B
No, you can get a new DOT/FMCSA medical card any where in the US, as long as the examiner is on the national registry.
If your a1c is under 6.5 do I still have to get 1year medical card.
@ Dennis T
DOT/FMCSA made this recommendation in the guidelines for the CME. It really is only a means to continually monitor your situation, and make sure it is controlled.
How do I get a replacement medical card? Mine is current but I think I have lost it.
@ Steven
Contact the last facility, they should have a copy.
I have a class B CDL and I have not executed the duties of such in about a year. I have continued to keep my medical updated in case I should get a position requiring my medical. I have merely kept my medical updated because I didn’t want to lose my CDL endorsement on my license. If my medical expires do I lose that CDL endorsement and have to start all over to reacquire, or just get my medical updated?
@ Lee
Each state is different and this question is best answered by your local drivers license department.