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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
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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Could I get my CDL if on a insulin pump were I don’t take shots and could pass the physical?
@Andy
You will be limited to intra-state only unless you go for the FMCSA insulin waiver.
We are in the Ohio. I have an employee that is out on medical leave, and his medical certificate expires in July. He is unable to pass his med cert right now. Will he lose his CDL if his medical card lapses? We are a private utility/cable company. Can he get an extension?
@Patty
There is no such thing as a medical card extension. The driver needs to speak with someone at his local drivers license department and let them know the circumstances. They should have a process for reinstating his CDL if it is downgraded.
I have cdl I don’t drive a bus but I clean them and park them. I had a tia to me and my doctor small. No weakness just my balance was off for a day. My doctor approved me to go back to work ,but my company said the rules say I can’t come back till a year is that the rule?.?
@Paula
Is this a company policy?
You should not be being tested as an interstate/class A driver or its regulations.
My husband has controlled diabetes. His new company sent him to Concentrate for his physical even though he already had a 2 year medical card. They would only issue him a card for 1 year stating that it was because he had diabetes. Is that the guidelines?
@Michelle
Yes, as long as he is on medications to control his condition it is only good for one year. That has been the law for many years via FMCSA.
I have been trying to get in touch with DMV about my medical card but I can`t get through on the telephone.
If l have a cdl license but I think I will be retiring real soon my card is soon yo expire. Can I still update my D.O.T. card and not drive.
@Kurt.
Yes, you can update your DOT medical card and not drive.
I just passed my DOT Physical exam and recieved two years. I only got long medical Examiner’s certificate. Am I suppose to have Card too? The medical examiner said they don’t make card anymore. Is that true?
@ken
Unless you are in a state that has already made the transition to cardless, you should have received a a medical card. As far as we know, that full transition is not in effect until the end of 2018 sometime. And if you travel interstate, you really want to have a medical card. We suspect the DOT will want to see one for right now. The form the medical examiner should use for the medical card is MCSA-5876.
The new “card” is a full sheet of paper, the last full page of the paper work you were handed. It’s no longer a card, but is still form mcsa-5876
My husband failed his odot physical because he was unable to rock between his toes and heels without stepping back. What does this test and is this a requirement for the odot medical cards?