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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
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.
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I am looking to return to work after having a heart defibrillator installed as a precaution due to low injection fraction rate of the heart. There are no blockages, there was no heart attack. The lower infraction rate was caused by undiagnosed pneumonia. Will I still be able to hold my CDL.
@David
The installation of a defib unit is going to raise many questions and in most cases will disqualify you as a class A driver. You may be down graded to operating intra-state only. Make sure you have your doctor fill out your medical release form first and then check with your state DLD to determine what the best action steps are going to be.
I am a School Bus Driver. Can I go to my local V.A Clinic to get my Medical Certificate, for my CDL. It will be a lot cheaper than going to a doctors office. I am a Army Vet. Thanks.
@Al
New rules since May 2014 – you can get a medical certificate only from a medical examiner who is FMCSA / NRCME certified. See FAQ to understand who you can go to to get a medical card.
Many VAs no longer do DOT physicals because their doctors are not FMCSA certified.
You’ll need to check with your local VA clinic to see if anyone there can do it.
I misunderstood when I got that letter in the mail I thought they were asking what I was driving now. At the time was a ladder truck Fire dept. I didn’t know it was for my commercial license. Could I take the dot physical now and submit it
I recently went blind in one eye from a tumor I need my cyl because I am a mechanic is there any exceptions
@Mark
Yes. You may check with your state, since you do not drive interstate, and see what the requirements are for your situation and what the process is for you to get a visual waiver from the state to drive intra-state. Good Luck.
I never received a letter in the mail saying I had to send a copy of my med card to Trenton. The only way I found out I had to was when the doctor that gave me the physical told me I had to send it in. So today I called the 1-888 # for the NJ DMV to get the address where I have to send it. WOW!! The women that I spoke with was very very disrespectful and absolutely RUDE to me she rambled on about some paper I have to send in along with my med card. I asked her if she could e mail or send me a copy of this “form” so I can get this process finished and her response was ” NO you can go on the website and print it out ” CLICK!!!!! No address no web site no clue smh but guess who’s fault it will be if this isn’t done in a timely manor?? Yup you guessed it MINE thanks for the help
@Shawn
Thanks for visiting and sharing your experience.
DOTPhysicalDOCTORS website is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. Drivers have shared their frustration with us about these new regulations. The challenge is the process differs from state to state. We published these State Requirement information pages to help as much as we can find available information.
There is a download link for the self-certification form in the information above and instructions on how to submit it for NJ. Hope this helps.
I would like to know, “how many points (based on the “6 point, ID Verification Program”) will the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission give me for having a Medical Examiner’s Certificate?
@Vernon
Only NJ MVC can answer that for you.
I did not receive the letter until June 20, 2014. I submitted the certification to MVC’s office in Eatontown, where the attendant faxed it to Trenton; Is this enough to satisfy the requirement?
@Debell1214
Sorry, can’t help you here. DOTPhysicalDOCTORS is not affiliated with any state agency.
If you went to MVC, that should be enough. If you don’t get a letter from them warning they will downgrade you because they do not have your information, you should be okay.
The only other way to know is to speak with someone at MVC to confirm.
What should you do if a person copies your medial card..alters it with their name.. then laminates it? How can this effect my cdl license? I had a previous employer do this.
@Cathy
It does not really affect your medical card.
But I wouldn’t want to be the guy who gets caught with a falsified medical certificate. It could be jail time and big ass fines.