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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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I had my medical card disqualified for a synope event related to covid. How do I appeal or get my medical card reinstated?
@ Jay
For a class A cdl holder, you will need supporting medical documentation from your cardiologist, along with a medical release form. Then get a new medical cert exam.
I got hired to drive a school van non cdl I have monocular vision in one eye hot denied to pass the physical due to this but I have no restrictions on my dl what do I do to be able to get my physical passed.
@ Yvette
Your medical examiner is holding you to DOT/FMCSA guidelines for a class A cdl holder, which you are not. You fall under your states guidelines and variances, which are more relaxed. Find a medical examiner that know the difference between the two standards. And make sure you explain that you are not a cdl holder, you just need medical card.
have a valid medical marijuana card that was issued because of a knee replacement that I use for pain management. can I still receive and be eligible for a DOT medical certification?
@ James A
Everything will depend on the class cdl you will be going for.
Not a CDL medical certificate!
How do I get a wallet size card?
Jim, If your provider did not issue one, take your certification to a Staples. They will be happy to shrink it down for you for a reasonable fee.
@ Rick
Just make sure a DOT officer or highway patrol can read it at night with the naked eye.
How old do you have to be to get a physical card?
@ Ryan
Just old enough to get a standard drivers license. CDL, you will have to pass the states requirements.
How do I get a seizure exemption to get my DOT medical card. I need it for PA I already contacted the FMCSA and the said that they do not have any jurisdiction I can you tell me who I can contact to help me with this.
@ Debra G
Lots will depend on the class cdl you carry. Class A cdl will be very difficult, but a lesser class cdl or intra-state only may fall under the states requirements and not federal regs.
My friend lost his DOT physical card. He knows it’s due sometime in August, but doesn’t remember when. The reminder 90 days prior accidently got thrown away. Is there a way he can find out when it expires, so he can get the physical prior to that?
@ Karen
Best advice is get it done now.
Call the doctor’s office where he got the last one done, they are required to have it in their files.
If my medical examiner’s certification card is expired because of sleep apnea what are my next steps? I am currently on day 10 of 30 days of using a CPAP machine and then get retested. Do I need to do anything between now and then ?
@ James K
If you were not given a short medical card, then ask the examiner for one while you complete the remainder of the test. Or, if you were given a short card, ask for another while you complete his request.