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
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…
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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?
@ Juan
Your question is a state related question and will be best answered by your states drivers license department.
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??
@ 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.
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?
@ 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.
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?
@ Jim G
Most cases the DOT simply shuts you down until you get a new medical card.
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
@ 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.
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.
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.
@ 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.
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?
@ 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.
there is any way to submit my cdl medical certificat to nys DMV???
@soum
Yes, you can mail, email, or fax your form MCSA-5876 to NYS DMV. See contact details in the page above.