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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
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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In Pennsylvania my medical card expired because I thought I had 90 days to get it renewed but it was only 60 days. My new license even though it was downgraded it still has class A wanted but it only says DL not CDL. My license will expire in a year is it possible if I get my medical certificate again that they will upgrade my license back to a CDL a without taking any tests ?
@ BP
Most likely, but with each state having different requirements and guidelines, it is best to confirm with your local drivers license department.
How can you have an A and a DL? My son probably will be downgraded too even though his license doesn’t say that yet because he was late too. Can you get it upgraded in PA when you get your medical card done or do you have to retest? Anyone know the laws because Pendot doesn’t seem to know when I ask either.
@ Melissa
Most states, considering lockdowns and pandemic, are being pretty lenient at the moment. If you go into your local drivers license department with a new medical card in hand, you might just fly under the radar. Do it ASAP.
One more question. His CDLB says valid, downgrade has nothing after it. His medical card says not registered. Does he still look good? Pulled his license in for for him.
@ Melissa
Since he is a class B cdl holder, all he should need at this point is a valid medical card. Gat it done, take it with you and you should be OK.
taking blood pressure medication, but my blood pressure is controlled, taking minimum dossage,why can i not get my 2 year license, only a one year. have had blood pressure issue for the last ten years. this is a new question to you. plus they wanted me to get sleep apnea study, my doctor said i did not need this.
@ Frank r
DOT/FMCSA has always had a policy of one year medical cards for any one on bp medications. As far as the sleep study, DOT/FMCSA has not passed any requirements for this, unless you show multiple symptoms. So go some where else and get a second opinion for the sleep study requirement. But one year only due to bp meds, that DOT/FMCSA.
I went to get a pre employment physical for a new job and they gave me a dot physical also. I have had my cdl for 10 yrs and I just renewed my med card back in October. Now this doctor says he will only renew my med card for 3 months because he wants me to take a sleep apnea test. My med card I got in October was good for a year now I have 3 months to get this test done and figure it out. It’s bullshit because dot does not require by law but this doctor has the power to make me do it. Can they make me do this?
@ Joseph
Unless you have a multitude of symptoms that would require a sleep study, then someone is trying to take advantage of a situation. I would go else where and get a second opinion, which will over-ride this 3 month medical card.
My son went to a minute clinic outside of Philadelphia, CDL class A earned in 2020, Concentra ADHD med previously taken 2019 and earlier, previous depression med 2015, both on his medical records but didn’t block him from earning CDL. He paid $115 and Physician Asst blocked medical recertification, took his money, referred him to a Primary dr who isnt available for weeks. Deadline was this week. She wants approval letter from Primary and for him to come back and pay $30 to collect more money. Needless to say, Philadelphia DOT removed medical cert from record. This is ridiculous and the meds he took before earning his CDL are not on the list blocked for drivers to take. I want this case reviewed and do not know where to turn.
@ Tammy
The deadline for his card was extended to the end of February. Go else where for a second opinion. Request review of case, FMCSA website.
Does the medical examiners certificate need to be 5 x 7 or is a full sized 8 x 11 ok?
@ Keith G
As long as the DOT officer can read everything on the form, you should be OK.
When do I need a DOT medical card? The company I work for has a f350 dually. We are not pulling a trailer with this truck. Just using it to fit everyone into. Do I still need a DOT medical card? This vehicle does not leave the state of PA.
@ Mike L
Since you are not a class A driver, then it falls into the states requirements. If the vehicle has a business attached to it, then the state may require a medical card. Confirm this with your local drivers license department.
My medical card has expired because I was on work comp. Can I just go and get a DOT physical to renew, or is it harder because it has expired?
@ Gary
Most cases, just get a new medical card and get it into your local drivers license department.
is there a special form you need to fill out to send to harrisburg, to let them no you are on workmans comp, and your physical card has expired
@ Benedette a T
You will need to check with Pennsylvania drivers license department for your answer.
My husband just went for his DOT physical and they gave him a 3 month card now has to get a sleep study. The company wont hire him with a 3 month card. Has anyone ever had this done? What happens if he passes or wouldn’t pass.
@ Sarah
DOT/FMCSA does not require a mandated sleep study, unless there are a multitude of signs and symptoms. Go get a second opinion somewhere else.