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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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I am in ohio. I have a class A cdl. let the medical card expire for over 60 days. Can i still get a DOT physical and most likely get my license back? im not sure to do
@ Jesse S
Most likely, but confirm with your local DLD.
Fell and slipped at work and broke my ankle 12/28/22,. My medical card expired 01/8/23,. I’m now on workers comp on to recovery,. I’m unable to pass physical,. Is there grace period for being injured ,. So I won’t lose my cdl
@ Jr H
Most states have some type of grace period for situations like yours. Check with your local drivers license department for guidance.
My medical card expires in December im currently not driving and I’m not sure if I ever will again but I don’t want to lose my cdl in case I do need to drive again. Do I need to renew my med certificate to keep my cdl?
@ Kim
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain an active cdl. Confirm this with your local DLD.
I am in Ohio and hold a class A CDL.I no longer drive but still have my CDL but it is intrastate only now and not interstate.
If ifail my physical and the reson was in his opinion i failed me without giving me a test is there any way to take the test over at another testing sight
@ Marland
You have the right to a second opinion anytime you disagree with the CME.
I renewed my Drivers License and the Lady at the DMV told me if I do not Drive across state line in a Commercial vehicle Ohio does not require a medical card? Is that correct?
@ DF
All depends on the class cdl you hold. Each state is different with lesser class cdl’s.
My CDL Medical expires in Feb. 2023 can I get new exam now instead of waiting till Feb.
@ Robert K
Yes.
It is my experience that if you renew now, the biannual date resets to the day of the test. It will not add 2 yrs to the Feb 2023 date. So therefore you are cutting yourself short on time and getting the exams more often.
I have taken myself off the road, I will not be using my cdl any longer and my medical card expires in October. Am I able to put my cdl A on hold or dose it expire since I won’t be getting my exam again.
@ Scott C
Most state require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.
On 2/26/2021 I had a double lung transplant. Which requires me to take anti rejection medication. In June 2021 my medical certificate expired. Was wondering any chance I could I could get recertified and get my CDL privileges reinstated.
@ Russell
Your cdl is state issued, so start at the drivers license department for guidance.