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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
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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to make a correction on my recent question:
my nj cdl expires on 02/28/2021 my apptmt. to renew mycdl is on 02/16/2021
and my medical certificate expires on 03/09/2021 will they accept the actual one i have?
@ jose
Best to check with NJ drivers license department for your best answer.
I have in my fleet 2 19,000 GVW bucket trucks. Do we need to have medical cards to operate in the state of NJ. I know we don’t need CDL because its under the 26,000 GVW. It also has a US DOT number on the side.
@ Jeff M
Each state is different. Most states require a valid medical card to operate a vehicle which is used for commerce. Best to check with your states drivers license department for their requirements.
Yes in NJ a medical card is requiring for anything over 10,000 lbs. NJ has adopted the Interstate commercial rules for Intrastate travel.
I have to renew my DOT medical card. I am a school bus driver, but I had an accident on the School van, and I am on light duty. I went to my doctor and he told me he can complete the medical card because I am on light duty. Can i get an extension? Or do I lose my CDL as a school bus driver with air break?
@ Mike
You are a class B driver and fall under your states variances too. As a class A driver, you can not qualify, but as a class B driver driving a school bus, you should be able to pass on a short card, if all else is normal.
School bus driver clean record 33 years..june 24 2019 had a right knee replacement…august 2nd given prescription for pain oxycodone..60 pills I had 34 pills left did not finish it was taking Tylenol…physical was to expire the 25th of August…so I went for physical 2 weeks prior..doctor would not give me a physical even though I gave him the remaining pills to discard..told me the 16th of September I can go back for physical…so school started and now it is past the 25th of August..so now am I going to loose my cdl..or what should I do…no o,e at work which is a board of ed. Knows what I should do
@ Marthe k
It’s not about the meds, it’s about the return to work release. Get the medical release to return to work and you should be fine. Also make sure the state receives a copy of your new medicL Crd to help you maintain your cdl.
The thing is my medical doctor that did my knee replacement released me the day before I had his letter with me. Then I was going for my physical the next day…and a week after PT released me also…they said my degree range was amazing…this doctor should not be allowed to perform our very important physicals for our very very important jobs..33 years of loving my job so much I would never take meds. And go to work and jeopardize my kids on the bus…i take my job seriously when it come to taking care of other people’s children…well thank you very much
i have been driving a tow truck for 22 years. now i have found out i have to get a DOT medical card i have little to no vision in my left eye. is this going to fail me for the medical card?
I carry a class c, with passenger endorsement commercial drivers license. I have maintained the requirements of a physical and medical examination as well as renewed the fee for a commercial; driver over the past 8 years. I ONLY carry this license in the event I lose my current job and become unemployed. I have yet to work in transportation using my license however, I still pay the fees of renewing the medical every 2 years and the commercial license every 4 years. The cost of the medical exam every 2 years has become a financial burden, especially since I am NOT working in the industry. Is there anyway I can maintain my commercial license without taking a medical exam. I read that the medical exam is necessary only if you carry a P “passenger” endorsement. Should I drop my endorsement for now, to avoid paying for the physical 2x every four years? I don’t mind retaking the passenger exam alone, when or if I ever become employed and need the endorsement or certification. Also, If i do drop the Passenger endorsement, which CDL holder self certification category do I choose. Again I have never held employment yet. When i normal renew I select category #3. I am currently working in the field of telemarketing and this commercial license has been maintained in the event of unemployment. Your response is appreciated and will save me financial heartache.
My question is I work for a Municipality Department of Public Works with a class B CDL. I only drive in NJ and do not leave the state. I was told I do not need a medical card. I have sent in my CDL Holder Self-Inspection form 3 times now and yet I get a notice from DMV. I check off Category 4. Can you please help me to see what I am doing wrong.
Thank you
Just came from a clinic and was told they passed new laws regauring DOT physical does anyone know of this?
I have a medical waiver because I’m diabetic. Got my new dot physical for two years will I still need the waiver
@Raymond
More questions than answers. Diabetic and a 2 year Card?
Waiver for diabetes, insulin dependent? Class cdl driver, a,b,d?
More data is needed for us to give you the best answers.
I just had my physical and received my new card, but the card is about 3×6 and hard, how do you carry it with you without bending it?
I recently went to renew my medical card. The Dr. at the immedicenter informed me that based on my weight (235 lbs.) and my height 5’8″ my BMI is 36 which means i must qualify for a “sleep apnea ” test. Whats this?
@Victor
Read these articles and the Q&A to better understand this sleep apnea screening issue.
Can I get a DOT medical card to drive a commercial delivery truck in NJ while I am prescribed suboxone and have medical clearance from the prescribing Dr.
@Ab
Maybe, with proper documentation from your prescribing doctor.
Got my certification at concentra along with forms and the medical exam . Do I need to bring all this to the DMV office or just the certificate ?
Got my certificate for 1 year do to BP now 8 months later when again to a different clinic and got a new certification for 2 years .
Do I need to wait for the dmv to send me the request for a copy or can I go to a dmv office to update ?
Thanks
@Dino
You should update your new medical card with DMV. The new card overrides the previous one.
Do I need to bring the medical forms or just the new card ?
my recertification was turn down because you say I need a variance or skills performance evaluation certificate spec. what is this
@Clyde
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical/skill-performance-evaluation-certificate-application-new-driver-application
If I drive a truck that is 20000 pounds and I’m a diabetic on insulin can I be wavier for interstate or intrastate driving in the state on New Jersey
If you were temporary disqualified for your certificate card, can a person get a second opinion for a physical examine.
@Chas
All depends on why you were temporarily disqualified.
Can I go to a local DMV agency to drop off my DOT physical paperwork to make sure it’s in the computer? The reason I ask is because , I sent the DOT physical paperwork to Trenton awhile back and when I renewed my DL, they had no finding of my physical, thank God, I had a awesome DMV worker catch it and put it in the computer. Thank You
I always take mine to my DMV and if you tell them at the desk what you are there for you jump the line so they can fax it. At least that is what my DMV location does
I have class a .p indoresment. I got my fingerprints the first time. To renew drriver l. I don’t have to get fingerprints again.and iam not driving school bus.
I am currently out of work due to injury, and my medical card is going to expire. What will happen once I can return to work. Am I going to be forced to take a written exam again and road test…. I’ve had my license for 20 years now and because of being out on workmans comp to be forced to lose my license is completely wrong…. I’m hoping there is some sort of extension that when approved by a Dr. I could just get my new card & send it in
@Mike
Since you are out of work due to an injury, your best bet is to go to the drivers license department and ask them what the process would be. It is very doubtful that, given your circumstances, they would require you to start from scratch. But confirm that with the DLD of your state.
you have up to 3 years to provide your med certification before you loose your cdl and have to take the test all over again. they will issue a new driver license without a CDL and when you provide the med certification they will put it back on your license
Are You Talking About New Jersey And Are You 100 Percent Positive Because Im Having That Issue As We Speak I Just Found Out My Cdl Been Suspended Since March 2015 And Im Tryin To Get Them Back Without Retesting All Over Again
@ Stan Is That New Jersey And Are You Positive Because Im Having That Issue
when it was time to renew my license i was told by my DMV could not renew my CDL. After speaking to the person and this person renew me for a regular license but i was told i have a year to get my CDL back. I have had my CDL for over 30 yrs but wouldn’t you know i need it for my part time job now. Was this person telling me the truth about getting my CDL back with out retesting. please let me know if this is correct. Thank you for all your help in this matter, One thing i was told if i don’t get my CDL back i could loose my job. Again thank you for your help.
@ Gary
Not sure here. If you had a valid medical card at the time of your renewal, then what was the limitation? Each state is different with time as a non CDL driver, so if DLD gave you a year before you could not re-instate your CDL, then they are correct according to the state rules.
NJMVC stinks! I haven’t driven a rig in quite awhile but still want to keep my CDL so I have something to fall back on if I become unemployed. Now they’re basically saying to us ” Use it or lose it !” Why ? It’s as if the government doesn’t want us to have anything anymore! Wake up you Goverment Officals! The unemployment rate has not improved! It’s because people have exhausted their benefits and this new law isn’t helping ! What difference should it make if someone has a CDL and hasen’t driven in awhile? There are refresher courses available through most trucking companies but if you take away our CDLs , what are we supposed to do? Oh , yeah, that’s right you can pay $125 + to get a CDL permit and start over again! Thank’s alot! Greedy B****ards!