Click to find DOT physical locations in NEW JERSEY
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
New Jersey CDL Requirements
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all New Jersey CDL holders to certify the type of commercial operation they’re engaged in.
Starting in July 2012, when you apply for a CDL you will be required to self-certify as to what type of commercial operation is applicable by signing a CDL Holder Self-Certification.
All current CDL holders should wait until they receive a notice from the MVC before they submit a Self-Certification.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. New Jersey regulations require a medical certificate for intrastate drivers.
Submitting your Self-Certification and Medical Certificate to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Submit the following two documents:
- New Jersey MVC CDL Holder Certification – download the form here from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card. Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
All current CDL holders should wait until they receive a notice from the MVC before they submit a Self-Certification. It must be completed in full and mailed to the MVC in the enclosed self- addressed envelope.
By Mail:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
CDL/Bus Unit
PO Box 685
Trenton, NJ 08666
Keep Your Medical Card Current with New Jersey MVC
In accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, New Jersey CDL holders must submit a valid (non-expired) medical certificate to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
Failure to submit a valid Medical Certificate or a Medical Variance may result in your CDL being disqualified. The MVC will notify you that you are no longer medically-certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate or intrastate commerce. If the MVC still does not receive a valid medical certificate, they will remove all your CDL privileges and downgrade your license to a basic driver license.
If your CDL is disqualified, you will not be legally permitted to operate a commercial motor vehicle. If your CDL is disqualified, you may also be required to retest prior to reinstatement of your CMV operating privileges.
Submit your renewed valid medical certificate to New Jersey MVC…
By Mail:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
CDL Unit
PO Box 685
Trenton, NJ 08666.
Other Information:
Website: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
New Jersey Medical Certification Requirements FAQ
You can also call the MVC CDL Unit at 609-292-7500 (extension 5077) and someone will be able to assist you.
Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES
June 23, 2025: FMCSA electronic reporting requirements for DOT Medical Certificates will be fully enforced.
See detailed information at FMCSA Medical Examiner Certificate Reporting Requirements for CDL Drivers
CDL Drivers
The good news:
• You no longer have to go through the hassles of updating your medical card with your SDLA.
• You no longer have to carry your medical card with you.
Is there ‘not so good’ news?
Safeguard your CDL! How does the new DOT Medical Certificate reporting process affect your CDL?
Non-CDL Drivers
The electronic reporting requirements do not affect non-CDL drivers.
• The medical examiner must give you a physical MEC Form MCSA-5876.
• You should keep your medical certificate available at all times whilst driving a CMV.
• You will still need to provide a copy of the MEC to the companies you work for.
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! —
Please leave your feedback about your experience in this State.
Go to the Questions and Comments box below and post your feedback.
! To save us all from zombie spammers, your feedback will not appear on this page until it has been approved. Visit this page again soon to see your comment, and others too.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
The letter from mvc about med examiner cert. states all data fields must be complete, my cert, from last October is missing info in the National registry box,the doctor filled in everything else.The letter states you risk rejection if not complete,My company hr said come to this site,What should I do ?
@Greg
If the examination was completed before May 21, 2014 then there is no need for the NRCME # to be there. This only went into effect on May 21, 2014, so you should be OK.
I am a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic that’s wears an insulin pump and is under great control. Is there any possible way I can obtain a cdl in New Jersey with a medical exemption from a doctor.
@Anthony
If you are looking at driving interstate, you would also need a federal insulin waiver from FMCSA.
If you are looking to drive just within the state, I would check with your state DMV to see what the requirements are for an intrastate CDL driver.
I’m currently on worker’s compensation and my cdl medical card needs to be updated, how can I get it done, had shoulder surgery
@ Douglas
You can’t. Once you are fully recovered and released to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, you will need a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.
I just drive a car and motorcycle and a boat with my cdl and my dot card has expired because I am retired. I do not want to give up my cdl in case I want to go back to work in the future. Why do I have to get a dot card if I am only driving non com. vechicles?
@Sal
I’m not the one telling you you have to have a DOT medical card.
You might want to ask FMCSA or the DOT and your state this question.
The only answer I have ever gotten was that a class A driver “might” decide to drive a CMV, and would not have a valid medical card.
Here in Utah you can downgrade intentionally and be able to reinstate his class A if needed. Check with your state and see if that is the case for you.
I just received a letter threatening license suspension due to my medical exam being expired or my self-certification not being returned. My medical exam is still good for another 13 months, and I mailed them a copy the day after the physical was done in July 2013. I returned the completed self-certification and mailed ANOTHER copy of my physical earlier this year, the day after it was mailed to me. I followed every instruction and rule, and I’m still being punished. Not to mention, where are my mishandled papers going? They have personally protected information like name, address, ssn, dl number, etc. This is a case of identity theft waiting to happen…I absolutely don’t trust MVC with this information anymore.
I have not received a letter from the mvc and the dead line is tomorrow also my medical card is expired, what should I do?
I haven’t received a letter and I hold a cdl from April 2011 but haven’t been working since a year now. Am out seeking jobs now and my medical has expired. What should I do. Thx
I still have not received a letter from the state to self certify.
@Tom
We suggest you call the MVC CDL Unit at 609-292-7500 (extension 5077) and check with them, as time is running out.
We’ve been answering questions for drivers across the nation and it looks like this process is a nightmare for many. All we can do is try to help with the information we have (as DOTPhysicalDOCTORS is in no way affiliated with FMCSA or any state DMV).
We hope you can get this worked out.
Hi, I am a diesel mechanic, I have always had a class A CDL and I need this to perform my duties. I have also in hard times used my class A CDL to fall back on when I needed a part time job. It is then that I would obtain a medical certificate for driving part time or full time, I am now not driving a commercial vehicle part time or full time but want to retain my CDL class A if I should need it. What do I need to do and why the change?
Thank You
Dennis Cashin
P.S. the letter DMV sent me for self certification had a wrong DL number on it form over 20 yeas ago.
@Dennis
You need to keep a valid copy of your medical certificate on file with NJ MVC, or your license will be downgraded and you will lose your CDL privileges.
The deadline to get your self-certification to MVC / DMV is January 30, 2014, and you’ll need to include a copy of your current medical card.
Looks like you need to call DMV to sort out the DL number problem first.