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Pennsylvania CDL DOT Medical Card Requirements
The new Federal regulations also require commercial drivers to self-certify the type of driving in which they operate or expect to operate. Nearly every commercial driver, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’, is required to submit their valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate to PennDOT.
- Non-Excepted Interstate (NI)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. - Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA)
You must meet Pennsylvania requirements under Title 67, Chapter 231.
If you are not currently working as a professional driver, and to avoid the loss of the commercial driving designation and the requirement to apply for a learner’s permit, you may self-certify as either “Excepted Interstate” or “Excepted Intrastate” transportation. Making this change to the driving record will automatically disqualify you from operating in any form of non-excepted transportation. If and when your driving type changes, you will be required to resubmit the Self-Certification Form and submit a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
CDL Self-Certification
Submit the following two documents:
- Self-Certification Form (DL-11CD) – download the form here from PennDOT.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card. (Medical card only, not the long form.) Enlarge the copy to 5 inches by 7 inches, to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
PennDOT
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 69008
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9008
By Fax:
717-783-5429
In Person:
At your local PennDOT Driver License Center.
PennDOT will mail you a receipt indicating that the Medical Examiner’s Certification and/or Self-Certification Form has been processed. You should keep this receipt.
Keep your Medical Card Current with PennDOT
If you self-certify “Non-Excepted” (NI or NA) you are required to keep a valid medical card on file with PennDOT. Check your medical card expiration date! If it expires within the next 60 days you should renew it, and get it updated with PennDOT before it expires.
Approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of your medical certificate, PennDOT will mail you a reminder letter. Approximately 30 days prior to the expiration date of your medical certificate, PennDOT will mail you an official downgrade notice, which emphasizes the date the commercial designation will be removed from your driver license.
A new medical card can be processed at a PennDOT Driver’s License Center as late as the day the current certificate expires to avoid the downgrade process.
Submit a legible copy (enlarge the copy to 5 inches by 7 inches) of your Medical Certificate (medical card only, not the long form) to PennDOT:
By Mail: Only if you are submitting at least 30 days before the due date.
PennDOT
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 69008
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9008
By Fax: If you are submitting less than 30 days before the due date.
717-783-5429
In Person: For immediate processing.
At your local PennDOT Driver License Center.
Other Contact Information:
Website: www.dmv.state.pa.us
Commercial Driver’s Information Center
Commercial Driver Information Phone: 717-412-5300 or 800-932-4600
Notice To Medical Examiners
PennDOT notice to medical examiners regarding Medical Examiner’s Certificate
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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is there a list of doctors that are qualified to fill out your medical card,i went to the same doctor that filled it out 2 years ago and faxed it in and got a reply that he wasn’t qualified anymore
My dot card is about to expire I am in pa. If it expires will I have to take my cdl tests all over or get a new card. (Note I’m having health issues and need them resolved so I doubt I can pass as of right now)
I have a dot medical card and just had another exam done in feb. 2014 my old one ran out in 7-2014 , but I forgot and just found out. Am I going to have to take my test and everything over or possiblie pay out money that I don’t have to get back on track
@Tim
You’ll need to check with your State drivers license department to find out the status of your driver’s license/medical card.
Each state differs in the way they handle this type of situation.
I have been out of work as a CDL driver and my medical card just expiered can anything be done for me?
@Kevin
Just go and get a new medical examination and card. If your medical card just recently expired then there should not be any problems.
Submit a copy of your new medical card, together with your self-certification, to your state licensing agency, and you should be good to go.
On June 20,2014, I submitted my CDL DOT MEDICAL CARD TO PENNDOT via fax (7177835429). My current card expires 07/02/2014. I was wondering when and how would I know whether or we received. I can also be reached at (deleted by admin)
i recently got my dot physical, i got no info from dot stating that i had to sent in a copy of medical paper to them. never got paperwork. just when it ran out, that i got that i do not longer have a cdl lisence. i called them and said that it there fault that your mail carrier did not deliver it. i just wonder if they dot can reinstate it. i sent info to the state representative all the infor he told me and he will get it there. so far i have not heard anything. can they reinstate it. physical taken march 18th. i am out of work do to of sending mail out. thought employer would be responsible for it or at least to let you know did you sent it or not. lack of communication
Question is. Do you need a medical card to drive a 10,000 GVW commercial truck like a: box van, F450 or F550 with utility body, dump body, landscape body or chassis.
Thanks,
Barry Moyer
@ Barry
In the state that I live in, if the vehicle is 10,001 lbs. and/or is being used for commerce, then a medical card is required by law. Check with your DMV to confirm or deny that that is the case in your state.
It is very frustrating that when you call your number, you cannot talk to a real person. The fax is ringing busy…..is there an alternative fax number?