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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:
- Commercial Driver License Self Certification Authorization Form – download the form here from Ohio Department of Public Safety Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
- 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
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…
To help us all avoid the black eye experience — AARGH! —
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NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
I have a driver that has a Restricted CDL for Farm Related Service Industries. He self certified Cat. 4 and does not have a Medical. But after reading the definitions of a Cat. 4, I’m not sure that is the correct one. And also, I’m trying to figure out if we actually do need him to get a medical?? If you can shine any light on this it would be a huge help.
@Megan
Check with your local/state DLD for the best explanation regarding your states requirements and restrictions, if any.
i retired 2 27 14 i would like to maintain my cdl without a dot card thanks john j
@John
1. We are a private website and are not affiliated with any federal or state agency. You’ll need to contact your state drivers license department.
2. Your state may not allow you to keep your CDL status without a medical card. We published an article, FMCSA Medical Certification Requirements, which may help answer your question.
in ohio. if you have a cdl. you have to mantain a med card.and have it added to your license at the bmv..
I had a heart attack on 10-2-2014 and was in the hospital for 3 days and had 1 stent put in can you tell me how long i will need to be out of the truck? just kinda of curious, at home now feeling so much better I have my 1st app with the cardiologist on the 20th
@Calvin
Fully healed and a medical release form completed by your cardiologist. The medical release needs to explain to your cardiologist what your job entails.
It will be a few months before he will release you to go back to driving.
And you will need some specific test results with you when you do go for your DOT medical exam. Good Luck
I was disqualified by a O.D.O.T medical examiner because I take the medication SUBOXONE that is prescribed by my doctor. What should I do to be RE-qualified
@Scott
Get a medical release form completed by your prescribing doctor. That may help. You were placed on suboxone to get you free from an opiate dependency, I assume, and as quick as you can get off the suboxone the easier it will be to pass your medical certification.
I have recently moved to Texas from Ohio. I now have a Texas CDL instead of Ohio. My medical card is through Texas. Therefore I wish to stop receiving letters about my Ohio Drivers License
@Richard
We are not affiliated with any state agency.
Please contact Ohio BMV with your request.
I resently heard that I don’t need a medical card from a PA highway patrol during an inspection. I just finished reading your information on what a CDL Truck Driver needs to do. I never knew that I had to regester and self certify. As far as I know, I have never filed a self sertify form. What do I do now ? I never knew about this until JUST NOW !
@Ed
If you are a Class A driver, you need a DOT medical examination and medical certificate.
Once you have that done, you will need to check with your state to determine what your self certification form is and how it should be filled in. Most class A drivers who travel interstate are classed as “non-excepted interstate”. Just check with your state to confirm that’s correct for you. See info about self-certification here.
What does a medical restriction form look like? .. when someone has a medical issue (blood pressure/diabetic., etc) but doctor states they can still drive?
@Mariea
There is no such thing as a medical restriction form. Certain medical conditions restrict the length of time a medical card can be valid. A driver who has medical conditions being treated must have a medical release form from their primary care physician. See our blog post on Medical Release for more information.
My doctor filled out the medical statement but I have been told I need the medical card. Where can I get a medical card for my doctor to fill out. I’ve searched your site and do not find it and the doctors don’t have them. What is a person suppose to do. Maybe the thing to do is to send all of the necessary forms to the drivers so that a person doesn’t loose a job and the family income/support. Do you think Ohio could be help in that way?
@Lippencott
You can find the forms on the FMCSA website.
Medical Examination Report http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safetyprograms/Medical-Report.pdf
Medical Examiners Certificate http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safetyprograms/Medical-Examiners-Certificate.pdf
Note: After May 21, 2014 you will only be able to go to an FMCSA National Registry certified medical examiner to get your DOT physical done.