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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 carry a Class A CDL, I no longer use it currently and I’m self employed. I don’t want to loose my CDL, but do I have to get a medical card to keep my CDL status(but not certified to drive commercial), Say in 3 years I want to drive, can I just get my medical card then?
@ Brian W
Most states will require a valid medical card to maintain a class A cdl. Best to confirm with your local DLD for guidance.
I currently hold a class-A CDL in Ohio and I am a self-employed farmer. Recently by the advice of my doctor, I was issued a medical marijuana card to help with chronic pain from arthritis. I did not know about any risk to my CDL because of possessing a marijuana card. Will this jeopardize my ability to renew my Ohio CDL class-A license? Can I let this card expire and then renew?
@ paul h
For a class A interstate driver, you will not be able to renew/pass your medical certification examination. As an intra-state only driver, you may fall under your states guidelines. Meaning you would fail your medical certification examination and then take your fail to your states drivers license department and they would place a ‘in our state’ a K restriction on your cdl. Best to check with your states DLD for confirmation and then follow their recommendations and procedures.
My company is about to post driver school for CDL training and truck training here in Ohio. After getting physical plus medical card, will the BMV still check for medical restrictions (other than B) on my driver’s license? Currently i possess a restriction has not ever disqualify me from driving a personal vehicle.
@ Jax S
Each state is different, so confirm with your local DLD. Depending on the class cdl you are striving for will determine restrictions. Class A interstate has the most strict qualifications and falls under federal DOT/FMCSA. Lesser class cdl’s fall under the state rules and regulations.
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.
One of our drivers recently had two hip replacements, he is fine now. He/we forgot about his medical card. He is currently getting a DOT physical to clear him. Does he have to self certify after passing the physical? Also, we, the company are in Ohio, he lives over the line in PA. The driver has a PA CDL. I know where to send the Medical card to, but if he self certifies should it go to PA or Ohio?
@ Dennis
Once he passes the DOT physical, he will need to self certify with the state his license is granted from (PA).
This is a comment regarding cpap requirements: first off, as a nurse, i am taught that medical treatments can never be forced on any individual, unless they are a danger to self or others. Your cpap regulations, i feel, are forcing drivers to comply with a medical prescription for cpap, against their wishes, or their medical exam will not pass. There are so many things wrong with that picture. My husband was prescribed a cpap prescription approximately 4 years ago. He was going through a stressful event in his life and was having trouble sleeping. A sleep study was done and diagnosed sleep apnea. He has had multiple broken noses, from years of playing baseball. We thought the cpap recommendation, from the doctor was a little much, so we didn’t go back or fulfill the cpap script. About a year a half later, my husband is going for his every 2 year medical exam, and the cpap recommendation popped up and from that point, my husband has been forced to use this clap machine to comply with your cpap regulations. A lung issue has developed because of this. He is trying to get his cdl stage changed to intrastate only, but i have a feeling the whole cpap thing is going to follow him. Can we please get regulations for situations like this changed to be more beneficial for the driver. Thanks.
@ Kendle c
We agree, too many are attached to the $ for the referral to a sleep study group.The good news is going intra-state allows him to fall under the states guidelines and regulations which are less strict than federal DOT/FMCSA.
Thank you, trucker doc, for your positive response.
How do I find out if my medical card is expired? I have been sick lately and still working and have I forgotten all about it. I haven’t received it in the mail or anything if it is expired can I get my CDL’s back after I get another physical
@ Danielle
Check with your local drivers license department (DLD), they should be able to answer your questions.
If I don’t self certify my medical card because I have been out of work due to injury. I believe I will be unable to pass a physical until after my surgery. Will my cdl be reinstated once I get a physical. Do I lose cdl and have to retest. Just need to know if I should try to pass a physical or if I will be ok til after back surgery.
@ Richard W
Your best answer will come from your local DLD. Make sure you explain your situation so they can guide you through their process.