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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’m an Ohio CDL-A driver, i just self submitted my medical exam, do I need to carry proof of that with me when i drive?
I don’t have any restrictions or anything like that other than glasses
@ Chris
Yes
I have moved to Illinois and am completing the RTD process. My CDL-A is still in Ohio and my medical card expires in 5 days. Can I get my physical exam in Illinois. I plan on transferring my CDL license to Illinois.
@ Scott W
Class A medical examinations can be done in any state, as long as it is done by a certified medical examiner on the national registry. Good nation wide.
In Ohio is driving with an expired dot medical card and getting a ticket for it punishable with jail time?
@ Angle
We doubt it, best confirm with your local DLD though.
If had a heart attack then a month later fainted and had to go a neurologist and he told me .he couldn’t do anything to get my medical card I had to go back to my heart doctor to get a release to go back to work and got the medical card and took it to bmv is that good enough for work out of state or have to take another exam
@ Roger
Your medical card is good nationwide.
I failed a pre-employment DOT physical because of heightened blood pressure, but my current DOT physical doesnt expire for a few more months. Can I still use my current physical form and get my BP issue corrected until it expires then retake a new physical?
@ JR
If the medical examiner input your latest DOT physical information into the DOT/FMCSA data base, then you do not have a valid medical card.
In Ohio I failed my urine (high protein) test can I get a temporary med card till my doctor can get my test done and back on track
@ Kyle
Because high protein can mean some serious issues, it is unlikely.
we have a pick up truck with a gooseneck trailer and only need a DOT physical/medical card to drive. (under 26,000 gvw) But it is company owned and labeled with a DOT#. My question is if the trailer is removed and only the truck is being driven do you still have to have a DOT physical/medical card in Ohio?
@ Matt
In our state it is not the weight of the vehicle, but the vehicles ability to haul the extra weight. Best to confirm with Ohio DLD for complete verification of this.
Is a med card required for those operating service trucks under 26kunder cdl require. For example 3500s or 5500s with cranes
@ Frank
This will be best answered by your local DLD.
I have retired from full time driving. My dot physical card is going to expire, what happens if I don’t renew my card? Do I lose my CDL or just need to renew if I want to drive again. Can I drive for local farmers?
@ Gary T
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Each state is different in how they proceed without a medical card. Some will down grade you, some will suspend your cdl, some will revoke your driving privileges. Best to check with your local DLD for guidance.
So my med cert has been expired for 6 months can I still renew it in the state of ohio
@ Lisa
Yes.
If I have had my dot physical and passed everything except the medical examiner required me to get an additional test (stress test) and provided a 3-month card to allow time for me to complete the test…..Is it a dot requirement that I do the physical examination again to get an updated card for a year or should my completed normal stress test satisfy what has already been asked of me?
Also, is it a DOT requirement to have a stress test every two years if you have had a heart attack in the past (11 years ago- and never been requested previously)?
@ truckerwife
DOT/FMCSA for a class A cdl interstate driver; stress test every two years and the medical examiner should perform the complete medical examination again. For a lesser class cdl or intra-state only, you will be under the states guidelines and variances.
How do I apply for a medical card for DOT? I currently drive and just completed my recertification. We are private and have the private pupil transportation certificate. I want to add field trips.
@ Katina H
Find a physician who does DOT medical certification examinations and book an appointment. They do the examination and you will need to take a copy of your paperwork to your local drivers license department afterwards.
Can my family physician do my dot medical card or does it have to be a dot certified doctor?
@ David
Must be a certified medical examiner on the DOT/FMCSA national registry.
Why wouldn’t a family doctor be more competent to do a DOT physical knowing that person from the time they were growing up till you know how whenever Then walking clinic? I have insurance and These clinics won’t take the insurance card they got to have Cash which is ridiculous I would rather trust my doctor that I’ve been my doctor for 40 years then walk in clinic
@ Amber
Your family doctor does know more about you than any CME you are going to visit for a medical certification examination. Your family doctor does not know the DOT/FMCSA guidelines and regulation around the driving industry which must be adhered to and complied with.
I asked my dr. If taking gummies would affect my results and was told they would so I didn’t take the Urine test but dr. Told me I would have to see a step program which I did but was told by them that if I didnt take and fail the Urine test I didn’t need them I passed the phy but dr. Would not give me my card till I saw the step program people. They said because I never took a test and failed it I didn’t need them and she even called the dr. And told him. So I called the dr. Back again too rescheadule my test and was told I would have too pay again plus do the test but I didn’t feel I should pay for the physical again because I passed but now he is saying I need a dr release for something I have had for several yrs and passed tests on my anurisums . I just fell like he is picking on me now because he didn’t get his way
@ Terry M
Not sure which urine test you were taking. DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination only test urine for blood, sugar and protein. DOT/FMCSA once you take a test and leave, they recommend that a new physical be done. So, if you are not taking a drug test for the company or mandated by DOT, then go else where for a new medical certification examination.
I had rotator surgery 3/5/2023, I cannot drive for 3 months, my physical will run out 3/28/2023, can I get my physical done in June and continue driving?
@ Robert
Most likely, but confirm with your local DLD. They should have a process in place for situations like this.
When my Medical Card expired I renewed it but failed to go to the BMV to update and now I received a letter saying my CDL privileges will be cancelled in 30 days. Can I just take my medical card to the BMV to update/correct this? Also why does it say I need to request a hearing?
@ Craig
Take a copy of your medical card in and correct this issue. Then ask about the hearing while you are there.
If your medical card has expired are you able to renew it by taking a new physical? Or do you have to retest all over again?
@ Kordell
A new medical certification card should do the trick.
If I am taking Suboxone, does that bar me from getting a DOT med card. Don’t have a CDL was offered a position driving tow truck
@ Charles
You will fall under the states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. So you should not have any issues. Make sure your medical examiner know the difference between state and federal regulations.
So I should just go to another clinic probably? Because the clinic I went to the lady was obviously new she had to send me out of the room while she called someone. Then she brought me back in the room made me go through the whole physical which everything cleared and then she told me she couldn’t pass me because of the Suboxone
@ Charles
You could check with your local drivers license department for confirmation first. Then go somewhere else and make sure the examiner know the difference between DOT/FMCSA regulations and your states variances.
I have a class B cdl, I no longer drive for a living, am I still required a DOT physical in order to keep my cdl?
@ Jim
You will need to check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.
Looking to get into driving. I currently go to pain management for pain medication.
Will this disqualify me for passing the dot certification?
Thank you!
@ Scott
If you are under treatment for pain and taking medications to reduce your pain, then it will be difficult to pass a DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.