Click to find DOT physical locations in OHIO
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
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! —
Please leave your feedback about your experience in this State.
Go to the Questions and Comments box below and post your feedback.
! To save us all from zombie spammers, your feedback will not appear on this page until it has been approved. Visit this page again soon to see your comment, and others too.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
We have both CDL and non CDL vehicles in our fleet, are both sets of drivers subjected to the SAME physical? I understand that the CDL should be DOT physical, but what about the non CDL’s drivers?
My dot medical card expired 8 months ago. I didn’t attempt to get a medical card because u thought I no longer wanted to drive with a CDL. What will I have to do to legalize my CDL again? I never downgraded to a lower class
@Julia
You were most likely downgraded automatically. You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department to find out what you need to do to get your CDL reinstated.
Is there an exemption for vision I have a cdl but can not pass the vision portion of the dot test with my left eye?
@John
There is a vision waiver from FMCSA.
Am an Ohio employer trying to determine if my Commercial Drivers need a medical certificate if they drive only in the State of Ohio. I believe they do not unless they cross state lines. Any help would be appreciated.
@Cindi
Anyone who drives for commercial purposes needs a medical certificate, intrastate or interstate.
Can you describe commercial with a category 4 intrastate?
@ Dan K
This is a state related question. Check with Ohio DLD for your best answer.
I’m an ohio resident, do I have to get my medical card from a dr in ohio or can I get one from a dr in wv as long as they are on the list of drs?
I will be driving a 15 passenger van including the driver, it’s under 26,001 lbs so no cdl is required only the medical card correct?
I am 20 years old and got my restriction off for intrastate only from my vision requirements. Now it’s just intrastate only due to not being 21 yet. I just self certified myself for expected interstate due to working for a company that hauls mulch. Now that I self certified myself for expected interstate what does that mean now?
I work for a truck dealership. They want me to get a CDL in order to be able to deliver new and repaired trucks, and to be able to test drive trucks for the mechanics. I do not think I would be able to pass a DOT physical. Most of the driving would be bobtail, and intrastate. In Ohio, would I be able to get a class A intratstate CDL without a medical cert?
@Steven
If you have a CDL, then you must have a valid medical card to go with it.
That being said, you would fall under the states variances for an intra-state driver, which is not the same as an interstate driver.
Just explain to your examiner that you will drive bobtail and local only within the state borders. As long as the examiner know what type of driver and driving you are going to be doing, then you should be OK. Also check with your local drivers license department and get the full scoop from them on what the states variances are regarding intra-state only.
i recently sufferd a tia after having cerebral aneurysm coilled.my med.card expired while i was out of work.i went to have it renewed but was told i have to wait 1 year even though being cleared by two neuro surgeons and having a driver evaluation done.and being cleared to drive a commerical motor vehicle.is there anything i can do to get back to driving?
@Arnold
Check with your local drivers license department and ask about driving intra-state only until your waiting period is complete. As an intra-state driver you may be able to return to work while you wait out the FMCSA required wait time.
i have had other dot doctors say i should be able to get a one year med card with all my documentaion