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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.
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.
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Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
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If I get my dot medical card renewal after it has expired. Do I have reapplied for new CDL Class A license again.
@ John
CDL’s are state issued, so check with your local DLD for confirmation.
Hello. One year ago during my medical exam, I was asked if I snore. I was like who don’t. Do long story short I was required to get a sleep study done and possibly purchase a CPAP machine. I actually did both . Being not long after the COVID pandemic, companies had their CPAP machines on back order. I could not get one. I finally got one this January and my medical card expires in February. I haven’t had enough usage on machine to turn into my Physician doing the medical exam. So the question is how long do I have after expiration of medical card to get it done without losing my CDLs?? Please help. I’m list right now. Thank you for your time and help. Take care.
@ David F
Talk with a CME, he may be able to guide you through this. Maybe a short card while you get your data together.
I am checking on my medical card if I need to update or get a new one if my expired
I was pulled over in my personal non cdl vehicle and the officer told me since my med card is expired I can’t even drive a car. I live in NC
@ Eric
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. And it does not matter what vehicle you are driving, just the license itself is what they are looking at.
That’s correct, because your cdl has been cancelled.the dot was suppose to send you a class c license.. did they?
NC doesn’t cancel the CDL. They mark it “inactive” with permission to reactivate. A NC CDL holder can either get a DOT Phys to reinstate CDL privileges, or go to the DMV and have them check a box admitting Driver is NOT driving commercial vehicles at this time, but wants to maintain CDL status for the future.
I’m in NC. I have Commercial Class C with passenger endorsement. I don’t have a medical card. I used to drive the church bus on youth trips, and that need is probably coming back up. I was told at the local License office that I am NOT required to have a medical card for a church bus. BUT we are being told otherwise from some others. Does anyone know where I can get he whole truth? Thank you
@ David
Get your confirmation from the states DLD. Since your license/cdl falls under the states rules and regulations, you will get the correct answer from the state.
Thank you
@ David
You are welcome, glad we could help.
I’m from NC I have my CDL license I have been driving a Box truck weight 10,000 In the state of Kansas. My question is do I have to have a medical card?
My driver’s license CDL is all up-to-date Nothing is expired. But yesterday I was told by the state trooper that my license was invalid.
@ Tank
If the vehicle you are driving is used for commerce, to make money, then your state may require a valid medical card. Confirm with your local DLD. You may need to update with a new medical card to re-instate your cdl.
i have a NC CDL Class B. my dot card is about to expire, however im going on FMLA , i will be out of state due to extreme family emergency should i get one in my hometown or when i come back. i have never in 20 years not had a DOT so im not sure what happens.
@ Terri
Best to get it done now and not have to worry about it while you deal with your other issues.
My wallet was stolen & I need a copy of my DOT medical card urgently. I was in Iowa when I had it done for the company I was going to work for, however making this short.. it wasn’t what I was promised or agreed to so rejected the job. Drove back to NC to accepted another job opportunity, noticed my wallet missing. The company states they didn’t keep record of my DOT medical card BC I didn’t accept the job, I tried for a week straight to contact the Dr who did my DOT medical physical but am still unable to reach Anyone at his office! I dont know what to do or how to get a copy of my DOT medical card to start work & bring money in to feed my family. Can anyone please help me figure out what I should or can do to fix this and get my information fast?
@ Brian
In too many cases the company paid for the medical certification examination, you will not receive a copy of the card because of company policy. Quick and easy, go get a new medical certification examination.