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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…
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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.
Are Non-CDL Drivers who drive trucks under 26,000 pounds and do not transport any passengers required to have a DOT Medical Card?
@ John
If the vehicle is used for business, of any kind, then your state may require a valid medical card. Check with your local DLD for confirmation.
Does having anxiety prohibit you from receiving a two year medical card?
@ Tashara
Depends on the medications and your documentation from your prescribing doctor.
I’m a city operator and I’m no longer taking any medications.
@ Tashara
Then you should not have any issues getting a medical card. Your intake form will ask about previous conditions or medications. The CME may request some additional information. But you fall under your states guidelines and variances and should not be held at a Class A cdl standard. Make sure your examiner knows the difference.
I let my ODOT card expire since I don’t drive anymore. My birthday in August and will need to renew. Must I have a DOT card to renew it or will it no longer be vaild?
@ J.D.e
Lots will depend on how long ago you let your medical certification card expire. Best to check with your local drivers license department to determine their process for this situation.
My DOT medical cartificate expired February 22 but am outside USA still ineed to come back July 14 Irenew when coming back
@ Jama
Get it done as soon as you can and get it into your states drivers license department as soon as possible.
Does having High Blood pressure keep you from getting your Medical card?
@ Craig S
Depends on how high your blood pressure is.
If your blood pressure is too high may prevent you from getting a 2 yr card. Most places will give u a ninety day medical card until you can see your doctor and get it under control. Once it is under control you will be given a 1 yr medical card. Just remember to be truthful and state all the medicines you take. Hope this l.helps
My husband went to bmv they faxed his med card info but still says he hasn’t done it. Over 2 months and he is out on the road.
@ Kim
Faxed what to whom? The CME would have input his data to the national registry. All else will be state related and you would need to check with your local drivers license department.
I went to get my DOT exam and the Dr said i need to get a sleep study done at the hospital. My question is if i refuse will i loss my CDL license? I dont think I need a sleep study and a Dr. that knows nothing about me and only checked me out for a few minutes should determine that. Can I go somewhere else and get an exam?
@ Tara
If you have no signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, like daytime sleepiness, then go somewhere else for a second opinion. Someone has a conflict of interest in your situation.
Trucker Docs, Tara can go for a second opinion but not to another facility to get a DOT medical exam is that correct? And if that is allowed should the DOT medical exam state it is a second opinion?
@ Karen W
A second opinion from any CME on the national registry is acceptable. There is no way for a CME to indicate that this is a second opinion. Most of the issues we see are CME’s interpretation of the guidelines, not the regulations as stated by the DOT/FMCSA.
If my card expires am I only ineligible to drive during the short period that I don’t have one? And once I renew it I’m back to being eligible to drive?
@ Stanley
DOT/FMCSA extended their grace period to the end of August, so you have time to renew your medical card and get it registered with the state.
Do you have to self certify every year or just when you renew your license. I am retired, but want to keep my CDL.
@ Gary H
Seems that most states want you to self certify when you renew your medical card. Best to confirm with your local drivers license department.
My son is currently out of state d/t his wife is in the military. They will be returning to Ohio mid July. His DOT Physical expires July 2, he won’t be back for until 2 weeks after that. Is there a grace period that will cover that so that he can renew it when he gets back?
@ Kathy
He can have his medical certification examination done anywhere in the United States. Most states have some grace period, but best not to depend on them. You can check with your local drivers license department for further guidance.
If i have a cdl b in ohio & drive only in ohio do i need 2 have a physical
@ Glen
Most state require a DOT medical certification to maintain a valid cdl. But each state is different, so confirm with your local drivers license department.
I accidentally allowed my Cdl license to expire three days ago on my birthday. Have a current medical card. Will I have to retake the written tests when I go to renew?
@ Nicole
Your cdl is state issued, so confirm with your local drivers license department. Highly unlikely you will need to start all over, but get it done NOW.
Thanks. I called the license bureau, I still have 6 months no retesting necessary. I’m definitely getting it done now
@ Nicole
Way to go, good.
My d.o.t physical expired on 12/20/21.
I had totally forgotten since I was laid off (I drive a low boy tractor trailer for a asphalt company who doesn’t work in the winter ) is there a time limit in Ohio that states if I do not obtain my physical before (example 60 days) will I have to retake my CDL test all over again?
@ Jonathon C
DOT/FMCSA has extended the grace period to the end of February. Check with your state DLD for confirmation in your situation.
Will I get conformation that they received my email copy of my medical card?
@ Charles
That information will come from the state. We would recommend you to confirm with your local drivers license department.