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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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Jeff H says
I live in PA and just had my DOT physical done. They now give me a full half page size card to prove I’ve had the physical and passed. In the past it was a wallet sized card. Another driver has told me that since the physical is registered I don’t have to carry the card anymore but I’m concerned that I didn’t see that anywhere in the forms I filled out and don’t want to be caught without it if it’s still required. So that’s the question: is it still a requirement to carry the card with me since the FMCSA has a copy registered? I have received a letter stating that they have it and it’s good.
Thank you.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Jeff
There are 2 levels of information you need to be wary of:
Federal Information: The medical examiner inputs the new medical examination/card information online, for the Federal database.
State Information: It is the drivers responsibility to submit a copy of the new medical card to their local drivers license department to be updated with their drivers license and self-certification.
The new medical certification forms are now half page size and cannot be reduced to wallet size as were the old forms.
Yes, to be safe and avoid hassles on the road you should carry your medical card with you while you are driving. Not all states are up to speed with the online information, and the deadline for all states to be up to speed is only mid-2018. So best to have your card with you.
Melody F says
My husband was unable to pass his CDL physical due to a heart condition. He is taking a new medication and tests can be repeated in 3 months. In the meantime his CDL has been downgraded to a regular drivers license. If he can pass his physical in 3 months, will his CDL be re-instated?
We live in PA.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Melody
You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department with this question. Each state treats this process differently, and you’ll want to get the answer “straight from the horse’s mouth”. Then you’ll know how to plan ahead.
Chris says
Will my father-in-law lose his Pa Driver’s license if he gives up his CDL due to sleep apnea restriction?
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Chris
Most likely not his drivers license, cdl will have new requirements. For drivers licensing questions check with your states drivers license department.
DAN says
Why do I need nuclear stress test every year ? My heart Doctor said no? I get regular test every 6 months. And every 2 yrs nuclear stress done. But now my other Doctor says. Every year.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Dan
Once every two years is all you need for FMCSA.
Amanda says
If I’m on disability for a workers comp claim for a knee injury, is there any way to postpone my license renewal until I can get cleared to drive rather than it just expiring and me having to start from square one with licensing and whatnot?
edward s says
my medical examiners certificate has expired. how do i reinstate it
Trucker Docs™ says
@ edward
You go take a new medical examination and pass it.
Richard w B says
Do I still have to self certify my medical card in 2016, every year I gotten a notice 3 months prior to mine expiring however this year I didn’t receive one. Thank You
Trucker Docs™ says
@ Richard w B
It’s a state thing and most states that we know of are requesting a new self-certification each time you get a new medical certificate. Check with your local drivers license department for confirmation.
Virgil says
Hello,
I just got back from the cme and he said that I would need a special performance evaluation( due to a past broken arm and my movement is impaired a little)I’ve been calling around and the Pittsburgh Pa area and nobody either knows what it is or they automatically say no? I was just wondering if you now anything about the spe and where to get this this done at. It says it has to be done by a board certified physiatrist. I don’t know what that means either? Thank you
Trucker Docs™ says
@Virgil
You’re looking for a skills performance evaluation to be done by a certified physician that deals with restricted mobility in an extremity. Your state drivers license department should have a list of qualified doctors that do these tests.
Donna m says
My husband has his CDL AND his medical card which he has to have done every year he no longer drives but itdoesn’t want to give up his CDL is there an extension for the medical card if do not currently driving large truck
Trucker Docs™ says
@Donna
There is no such thing as an extension for a medical card.
1. He can continue to renew his medical card by getting the physical done; OR
2. Contact your local drivers license department to see if they will allow him to self-certify in an “Excepted” category; OR
3. Contact driver license department to downgrade his license.
Bryan says
Howdy,
I just wanted to ask about passing the DOT Physical.
In early February I failed because I have a mild case of cerebral palsy on my left upper limb. The medical examiner said that I needed a special medical clearance through an orthopedist or something around there. He said everything was online and I really can’t find documents.
I will be receiving treatment through botox which releases the spastic muscles and the doctor told me that I should be capable of trucking since I already drive a manual. He told me if I find the proper documents he’ll sign off. Which I don’t know what papers I need and so forth. I do appreciate your help with this issue.
I’m very lost. Any help would be great, I’m ready to get on the road. Thanks.
Bryan
Trucker Docs™ says
@Bryan
Lots of questions before answers. A lot will depend on what type of driving you want to get involved with.
If it is driving intra-state, then you will need to check with your local drivers license department. They will have the answers that you are looking for.
If you are looking at getting into the interstate long haul stuff, then you will need information from the FMCSA. Just check on the FMCSA website and look for what type of waiver you will need. Your CME should be able to guide you in the right direction.
Teresa P says
Is a physical examination certificate the same as a medical examiner’s certificate?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Teresa
Yes it is.
Jay L says
My son is 16 with a Jr licence. Can he get a DOT physical for trucks 17000 to 26000 GVW intrastate only in PA. His licence states he can drive vehicles up to 26000 . We were refused a physical because he was under 18 years old. Is this correct ?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Jay
You will need to check with your local drivers license department. This one is a state related issue. If he can drive and the vehicle he is driving requires a medical certificate, then make sure that the examiner is aware that your state allows for your circumstances.
Jerry says
I’m due for my dot physical and my question is, last year I had to have a nuclear stress test.I had bypass surgery in May 2000. I was told, or understood, I would not have to take another stress test if it was within a year! I’m told now I have to do again! Insurance will not cover this because it is work related, not medically needed. My cardiologist says it is not needed, dot physician says it is. This costs $8,000 for the test, (I did not have ins. last year!) let alone putting that chemical in my system again! Can you please tell me what is necessary?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Jerry
Stress test (not an $8,000 test) for bypass surgery is to be done every two years, according to the FMCSA. Not sure what else may be going on that a CME is making an additional test request, or they are not reading the FMCSA guides.
Ty says
I work for a Pipeline company and have to renew my medical examiners card. When I started this job 2 yrs ago I just renewed my cdl examination. Now they are both due for renewal. A cdl is not required for what I do at my new job but I would like to keep my cdl. Can the 2 medical examinations be combined for one card?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Ty
The medical certificate examination is one thing and the CDL examination is something different. Since they are not the same examination then you may not be able to combine the two for one thing. But check with your local NRCME examiner and ask him. Each state is a little different, so your state may be able to do so.
James budney says
If my dot card expired last November did they take my cdl
Trucker Docs™ says
@James
If your CDL was downgraded you should have received a letter from your state drivers license department. You’ll need to contact them to determine your status.
ken says
Volunteer firefighters are exempt from a cdl license to operate fire apparatus in Pennsylvania by law. But I am unable to find any information on if you still need a medical card to operate the vehicle? My guess, is because you are operating a vehicle over your class c license, and you still must obey the cdl rules do to the weight over 26,000, that you are liable to get a ticket for not having a valid medical card.
Micheel says
Our company has a F550 truck and trailer the total combined weight is 26,000 lbs. I have a CDL license but I could not pass/get my medical certificate, I have put my CDL on hold (don’t remember what it was called -so I don’t have to retake test to maintain CDL) My question is can I borrow the company vehicle and use it for personal use intrastate only without a medical card? A letter I got says can drive up to 26,000 lb. just not sure if that is combo or only straight weight.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Micheel
Each state is different, so check with your state drivers license department. Personal use of a vehicle that can pull greater than 26,000 would require a cdl, and most states are requiring a valid medical certificate to operate a commercial size vehicle.
Thomas Quinn says
I have a F450 and we use it to haul a 14,000 lb trailer. The total combined weight is 24,000 pounds. Do my employees all need medical cards even though no CDL is needed. Also, the company is located in Pennsylvania and some of my employees live in Maryland. If a medical card is needed, which state is it based on? The company state or employee “live in” state? We travel to all states.
Thank You.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Thomas
You need the medical card because you are using your truck for commerce, but it does not matter what state you have the card done in. Medical cards are good anywhere, unless you are listed as an intra-state only driver.
Tony says
I’m a current CDL holder from NJ moving to PA. Do I have to take the CDL test again in order to transfer here?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Tony
That’s a question for PA drivers license department.
This website is not affiliated with any state agency. We are a network of DOT physical doctors and we help drivers with questions related to qualifying for a DOT medical card.
Best of luck with your move.
Sam says
I bought a 3-ton dump truck. Loaded with 3 ton it is under 10,000. This is a personal vehicle. People keep telling me I need a medical card to drive my own vehicle. Is this true? To drive my own vehicle? Under 10,000 lbs. In PA.
Trucker Docs™ says
@Sam
Check with your state, but if it is for personal use only, then you may not need a medical card. But if you use the truck to make money with, then you probably need a medical card.
Michael Palmer says
I am currently on workman’s comp. for a torn ACL and I need to update my medical card. I may not be able to preform all requirements to pass. What can I do?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Michael
Since you would not pass the FMCSA test you will need to wait until you are completely healed and released from your surgeon’s care with a full return to duty letter.
Jerry says
My examiner gave me a 3 month medical clearence in Pa because my A1C was 8.0 was she right since I dont drive the school bus out of state?
Trucker Docs™ says
@Jerry
If Pennsylvania is following the FMCSA guidelines, then yes she is correct. But you may check with your state drivers license department and see if there is a difference if you are classed as an intra-state only driver.