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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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For non-cdl, spouse already had a pre-screening drug test employment done. They now want him to have the Dot physical so he can drive bucket trucks. But non-cdls… Will they drug test him at this physical?
@ E
No, unless the employer request it. That would be done as a second procedure, separate from the medical examination.
How long do I have to self certify my medical d.o.t before fedex says I can’t drive. My medical wasn’t do to expire until August 12th 2024 I got my dot I got my dot physical july 20th 2024.??
@ Alex
You should try and get it in ASAP.
Hello there! So I went in today to do my physical for fed ex and I was denied because I am prescribed subxone? Does anyone know anything about this? What I found is if a doctor can give me an approval letter that I will be able to get the dot card?
Thank you so much for you time and help!
@ Nichole
Depending on the type of driver and what the medication is being prescribed for, will give the examiner a guideline he can follow with DOT/FMCSA. A letter from your prescribing doctor will be very helpful.
can you go to a local dmv and submit medical card to the state
@ Michael A S
Most likely, but confirm with your local DLD for their process.
yes, that’s how I do it to insure its done!
I take 2 prescriptions, both narcotic. Applying for a local delivery job. In the 14 years I have been taking, I have never had any car accidents. Can I still be eligible to drive if my Doctor sends a letter to the DOT medical doctor? I just have to clear a DOT medical exam.
@ Kimberly
Everything depends on the class cdl you hold. Less than a class A interstate cdl, you will be under your states requirements. Interstate, will fall under the federal rules. Intra-state is under the states regs, (including class A).
If your medical card in ohio expires then you wait a year because your not driving do u just get a physical then turn it in?
@ Darren D D
Your cdl is a state issued document, so the best answer will come from your states drivers license department.
Do you know if I would be required to take a DOT physical in order to get a CDL under self certification category 2 (interstate excepted) or category 4 (intrastate excepted)? And would I be required to take an entry level driver training program before being able to take the CDL skills test? And would the CDL school be required or allowed to ask for my DOT card regardless of self-certification? I’m sorry to ask, but I got answers that were contrary between the CDL schools and the BMV, with regards to the self certification categories.
I live in Ohio and I am unable currently able to drive due to some health issues, and let my medical card expire.
I decided to retire until the issues have been resolved through surgery.
If I decide to go back to work. Do I just get recertification medical card, and take the hazmat test, or what all is involved?
@ David T
Your question will be best answered by your local DLD, since your cdl is a state issued document.