Ohio CDL Requirements

Effective January 30, 2012, new federal regulations require all Commercial Driver License holders to self-certify their type of commercial driving. All CDL holders must submit a self-certification in order to be issued and maintain their CDL.

All Ohio CDL holders are required to certify the type of commercial operation they’re engaged in.

Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.

Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the State DOT medical requirements.

Self-Certifying and Submitting your Medical Certificate to Ohio BMV

All CDL drivers must self-certify in one of four categories no later than January 30, 2014.
A description of the categories can be found by viewing form BMV2159.
If you self-certify Interstate Non-Excepted, you must also submit your Medical Certificate.

Submit the following two documents:

1. Commercial Driver License Self Certification Authorization Form – download the form here from Ohio Department of Public Safety Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
2. Copy of your valid DOT medical card (medical card only, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.

Note: Please include a cover page with your contact information: Name, address and telephone number.

By Mail:
Ohio BMV
CDL/Out of State Processing
P.O. Box 16784
Columbus, OH 43216-6784

By Fax:
614-308-5181

By Email:
cdl@dps.ohio.gov

In Person:
To a Regional Reinstatement Office or a Deputy Registrar. Locations can be found here.

Keep your Medical Certificate current with Ohio BMV

If you self-certify Non-Excepted Interstate and submit a medical certificate, you are required to keep a valid medical card on file with Ohio BMV.

Ohio BMV will send you a notice approximately 60 days prior to your medical card expiration. If you do not provide a new medical card, Ohio BMV will mail a notice to you, indicating your medical certificate is expired. Once your medical card expires, you are no longer eligible to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

Submit a legible copy of your medical certificate (medical card only, not the long form) to the Ohio BMV:

By Mail:
Ohio BMV
CDL/Out of State Processing
P.O. Box 16784
Columbus, OH 43216-6784

By Fax:
614-308-5181

By Email:
cdl@dps.ohio.gov

Note: Allow up to 5 business days for processing of forms submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail.

In Person: For same day service
Submit completed forms to a Regional Service Center:
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Other Information:

Website: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles official website

Ohio CDL requirements