How to obtain a DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Click to find DOT physical locations in NEW YORK
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
Once you have a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate you must ensure that DMV receives the updated information to record on your file, or you will lose your commercial driving privileges.
Keep your Medical Certificate (MCSA-5876) current with NYS DMV
You must renew your medical card before the expiration date.
If your DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate indicates “must be accompanied by a Diabetic, Hearing, Seizure or Vision waiver exemption or an SPE Certificate,” you must have a Medical Variance issued by FMCSA.
Your renewed Medical Examiner’s Certificate, and Variance if applicable, must be received and processed by DMV prior to the expiration of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate on file to avoid loss of your commercial driving privilege. You should allow at least two weeks for processing your updated certificate.
Send a copy of your new, valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876), and Variance if applicable, to NYS DMV.
By Mail:
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Medical Certification Unit
PO Box 2601
Albany, NY 12228-0601
By Fax:
Fax number 518-486-4421 or 518-486-3260
By Email:
dmv.sm.cdlmedcertunit@dmv.ny.gov
The DMV will not remind you when your DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate or Medical Variance is about to expire unless you are enrolled in the Electronic Reminders program. Sign up with NYS DMV to get email and/or text reminders.
What happens if your Medical Examiner’s Certificate expires?
DMV will change your CDL medical certification status to “Not Certified”.
DMV will send you a “Notice of Non-Compliance and License Downgrade”.
DMV will cancel your CDL if you do not submit an updated Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876) within 55 days.
New York CDL Medical Certification Requirements
NYS DMV .gov website
NYS DMV Medical Certification Requirements
1. Medical Certification
All New York CDL holders are required to be medically qualified to drive a CMV by the means of a valid USDOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876), unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’.
2. Driving Types
In addition, if you have a CDL, Class A, B or C, you must certify the type of driving you do.
The 4 Federal Driving Types are described on the NYS DMV official website.
You must keep a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate on file with DMV if you self-certify to a Non-Excepted Driving type (NI or NA).
Interstate Non-Excepted (NI)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted (NA)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
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.
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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NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
Juan says
I have a NY cdl license with a A3 restriction, can i drive for example in PA and have my physical certificates exam and drive for the school bus in PA and still carry my NY cdl with the A3 in PA plus there physical certificates exam or i have to change? because i’m not a resident in here what will be penalty if is any under this condition or what can i do?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Juan
Your question is a state related question and will be best answered by your states drivers license department.
Franke says
I’ve been to the DMV twice .. I have a valid class B cdl license and an updated medical certification card .. and they’re telling me I now need a birth certificate ( I’m 58 years old )and while I do have an original.. I’m being told it’s no good because of some seal .. do I even need a birth certificate to get medically certified??
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Frankie
Your question has to do with your states requirements for your license and nothing to do with getting a medical card. DOT/FMCSA does not require a birth certificate, only a valid drivers license.
gia m g says
I work for a company that owns their own sprinter vehicle regisitered gvw 11,000 they occasionally use the truck to deliver their own goods nit a cdl required vehicle and does not leave NY state. There is no designated driver just people and owners from company that use occasionally to make deliveries. do the drivers require a dot physical?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ gia m g
In most states, a vehicle that is used in commerce/has the company name on it, requires a medical card holder to operate it. But each state is different, so confirm with your local drivers license department.
Jim G says
I have a NYS Non CDL class C license and drive a 26′ straight truck, 26,000 gvw. My medical card expired Friday, 6/4/2021. I’m not sure when I can get the new physical within the next week or so but have scheduled work. What are my penalties if I get DOT’d?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Jim G
Most cases the DOT simply shuts you down until you get a new medical card.
Sean S says
My NYS CDL was downgraded I sent in my medical card and it has been updated in the system. Now I need to go to DMV to have my cdl privleges reinstated. I can’t find anywhere what form I need to fill out in order to get the CDL reinstated.. Helppppp
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Sean S
NYS should be able to guide you in the right direction, so check with them first. It will not be a federal form.
Lisa says
Sean, how long was your cdl downgraded to a regular license? Has this been resolved? How did you do it? I currently am in the same boat.
James E W says
Hi period my name is James W (removed by admin for privacy). I’m trying to get hired at trucking company national Express. They said that my DOT card was not showing up in the DOT system. I just emailed my DOT card to dmv.sm.cdlmedcertunit .com. when will The Dot card that I emailed this morning, thursday, November 11th, 2020 be recognized in the dot system or New York DMV so national Express the company I’m trying to get hired on can see it? Thank you.
Trucker Docs™ says
@ James E W
Check with NY DMV. They should have an idea how long it takes to get the information into the data base for you.
Anna says
My husband’s medical card expired may 2018 and his CDL was downgraded. It’s 2 years later and he wants to start driving again. Does he just get dot physical to reinstate after 2 years or does he have to redo everything all over again?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Anna
His cdl is state issued and each states rules are different. Check with your local drivers license department of their requirements. He will need a DOT physical if he wants to get his CDL re-instated.
soum says
there is any way to submit my cdl medical certificat to nys DMV???
Trucker Docs™ says
@soum
Yes, you can mail, email, or fax your form MCSA-5876 to NYS DMV. See contact details in the page above.
Jesus n says
I’ve been retired since march of 2016. What need to know is that I want to keep my commercial drivers license with B,P endorsement .. just in case I want to work in the future.. as a retired employee. Do I still have to get my medical ??
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Jesus n
Most states are requiring a valid medical card to maintain to valid CDL. You need to check with your local DLD to confirm whether this is true for your state.
cindy says
my husbeen is truck driver and he want his 1 year ck up for DOT, want to see a dr thye said would pass him becuase got Muscular Dystrophy? other he had last year pass him thye knew he had it it right on his froms now thye wont they told him thye cant bye dot would not pass him
Richard says
Can I get a medial card having a light stroke that did not show on any mris or CT scan or any other text nurse has said nothing to me
Trucker Docs™ says
@Richard
Any stroke requires a one year waiting period before you could go for a medical certificate to drive commercially.
Teddy H says
I had a similar situation back in 2003 (TIA) had it corrected. No symptoms to date. I go for a sonogram once a year to get checked out. So far the “Warranty” on my surgery is up to snuff. And this is 2017. Actually I’ve been told by the doctor not to have anyone touch my arteries…they are that good!
I recently obtained my C/P license in NYS. Also the B (Air brakes/ Pass/ School bus) interim endorsements. I also have my DOT current medical. The company I applied for has my original. Now this is where I get confused. I recently asked for the Original laminated copy of my DOT Medical card. However the company Xeroxed me a paper copy. I don’t know if that’s legal? Or do I need to carry my original DOT Medical card? Worried about getting an inspection and the copy won’t be viable to the State Police DOT inspection crew.
If you or anyone on this forum has an answer, I would appreciate it. Thanks and safe trucking. Ted
Trucker Docs™ says
@Teddy
The copy should be fine. Most states are now attaching your DOT medical certification to your drivers license, so most states are not passing out the little medical certificates anymore.
Thomas martin says
[Name submitted has been removed by web admin] is certified to do physicals but not qualified. She won’t return my calls to notify me of my results. I haven’t worked in 3 months. She needs to be removed from list. HHHN sucks for this service. You should have to be a doctor, not a PA. Stay away truckers!
Trucker Docs™ says
@Thomas
You are allowed to get a second opinion, and go elsewhere for your physical. Getting a second opinion, as long as you are being honest about your health history, is not the same as “doctor shopping” which is not allowed.
We removed the PA’s name you submitted. (To clarify for other readers- that was not one of our DOT Physical Doctors).
Even nameless, your comment still portrays a valuable caution to drivers.
We see the issues drivers face in the comments posted here every day. That’s why we make sure the doctors in our network understand the big picture of commercial driving, and consider the driver’s overall health condition, and apply regulations fairly and appropriately.
Our motto is “Wiser is Better. Choose Your DOT Physical Doctor Wisely!”
Avoid the pitfalls that could cost you lost time, lost money, or your job.
steve says
hi i drive a non cdl truck that is 25,999 in new york an longisland do i need a medical card to drive in new york now dot guys have never ask me in newyork for one
Trucker Docs™ says
@Steve
Can’t speak specific about New York, each state is different.
e.g. Here in my state, Utah, you would need a class B drivers CDL and a valid medical card to operate an intra-state commercial vehicle. Check with your state to confirm or deny that is the case.
the man says
im going thur same b/s with my company . I drive a 10,001 bucket truck, company said this position is dot certified. with class d I drive up to 26,000 truck per dmv . company said they are following feds reg,………..BUT I can go back to last position with same bucket truck and need not dot card…..im a diabetic type 1 so getting card is not easy.
Dan Woodard says
I’m 22 years old ever since a young boy I’ve always wanted to drive. But I was born with a weak right eye. So I just barely don’t meet the requirement for the vision part of the medical card. So if anyone knosw of someone that can help me it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Dan
If the weakness in the eye is not correctable, then you will need to apply for a medical vision waiver. Start with your state DLD and go from there. If you can pass the DOT medical examination, other than the visual portion, then you would apply to the FMCSA for the visual waiver. Good Luck
Matt says
Hello,
My medical card has been expired for over a year now and my license of course was downgraded, my question is if I go and get a physical do I get my class A reinstated or do I have to take a road test and everything all over again ?
Thank you for any info you can give me .
Trucker Docs™ says
@Matt
Each state is different. So you will need to check with your DLD to make that determination.
ME says
I live in New York state and have a class A ,but I don’t drive full time . I found a letter that Is months late I was injured away from home and convalesced away from home , I had submitted my original dot physical before the original dead line , it expired on aug 18 2014 , the letter I just got was dated 8/21 /14 regardless I was downgraded oct 15 2014 do I lose my cdl permanently now that i missed my due date
Trucker Docs™ says
@ME
You’ll need to check with your state DLD to make that determination. Your class A is issued by your state not the Fed.
Phil says
I live in nys and same thing happened to me no just get your dot physical card and pay a 18.00 fee to get reinstated.
Les B says
Can I just fax off the updated certificate by itself, without the form MC11, when updating?
(That way I could just fax the certificate straight from the doctor’s office without fussing with additional forms)
Trucker Docs™ says
@Les
Seems from the info on NY DMV’s website that the updated certificate is all they need.
varinder says
i faxed my copy of medical to ny dmv anyone knows how long it takes to get updated in system
Dr Longo says
I heard that they are 3 weeks behind, but you can make sure it was received and follow its progress by registering with NY DMV.
Irving says
Just realized that my medical card expired does that mean i have to do my driving test all over again ?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Irving
Not necessarily, but your CDL will have been downgraded.
The time period and the process of downgrading, and what you need to do to get your CDL reinstated, differs from state to state.
You need to contact NY Drivers License Department to find out your status and what you need to do next.
Dr Longo says
Just bring your medical card to DMV with $17 and it should be upgraded.
p.horton says
Never!! Never!!! Never!!!! Mail anything to the DMV (unless there is no other way). Just head down to the DMV office and get in line to update your DOT med card on file. You find out then and there if there is any issue’s with your new card plus you have a receipt as proof.
Rich says
Can you go to the local DMV office the web site Say’s no I have been trying to call for a week but the phone is busy from 9 to 1. Hmmm