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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 cdl for 27 years. I was in a motorcycle accident and couldn’t renew dot medical card. Now they are saying I have to take tests all over again like a brand new driver. Is there anyway around this? Its absurd. I had a broken leg and multiple surgeries. No legal issues involved.
@Dustin
We’re guessing that the problem is that your medical card on file with your local drivers license department expired. DLD automatically downgrades or suspends your drivers license if your medical card expires. You may have been able to help this process if you had contacted DLD up front to explain that you were going to need multiple surgeries and would not be able to get a medical card for some time.
Best bet is to find someone at DLD to whom you can explain your situation. If you now have a current medical card which demonstrates that you are medically fit to drive again, they may consider reinstating your license for a fee and without testing. This all depends on how long you have been off the road. Each states treats the timing and the process differently, so only someone at your local DLD can give you a definitive answer. Good luck.
@Dustin
We’re guessing that the problem is that your medical card on file with your local drivers license department expired. DLD automatically downgrades or suspends your drivers license if your medical card expires. You may have been able to help this process if you had contacted DLD up front to explain that you were going to need multiple surgeries and would not be able to get a medical card for some time.
Best bet is to find someone at DLD to whom you can explain your situation. If you now have a current medical card which demonstrates that you are medically fit to drive again, they may consider reinstating your CDL for a fee and without testing. This all depends on how long you have been off the road. Each states treats the timing and the process differently, so only someone at your local DLD can give you a definitive answer. Good luck.
Do I need a CDL license to drive a commercial vehicle with a GVW of 14,500?
Do I need a DOT number and required to pass a physical?
Im a non cdl driver and got my medical card. Do i still have to send in tje DL form to harrisburgh or is it only for CDL drivers. I live in Pennsylvania
@David
Straight from PennDOT’s website …
“I am not required to have a CDL; however, I am required to carry a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card). Do I need to submit a copy to PennDOT?
No. Only CDL holders that operate in “Non-excepted” transportation are required to submit a copy to PennDOT.”
Is the Medical exam required for a hospital employee driving a hospital owned vehicle (over 17,000 lb GVW) for hospital business such as hauling, plowing ? this is not a commercial entity for profit. The employees do have a class C PA license.
@Michael
In this case your driver does not fall under FMCSA, but falls into your states CDL variances. You should check with your local drivers license department to get the most appropriate answer.
If my CDL got downgraded in PA How can I get it restored?
If I live in NJ can I get a Pa CDL license because I work in pa?
PA Dot never registered my mailed in certification, never notified me, and today sent me a non- cdl license in the mail. No warning notice. I sent it in 45 days prior to expiration.
I will go in person on Tuesday to walk it through, hoping they reinstate my CDL. I will lose a day of work (Monday) due to their inefficiency.
I did everything right and allowed lots of extra time, yet Harrisburg managed to screw it up. Amazing.
My husband is going through the same exact problem today. The letter he got from pendot stated the 25th of march everything had to be in by that date. He got his med card yesterday and dropped everything off at pendot today and they told him he lost his cdl. So now he has to take a day off work tomorrow to fight it since it’s there fault not his.
Just wondering how your husband made out with the DMV. Same thing just happened to my husband. He just received a letter today saying they downgraded and issued him a non commercial drivers license.
Will i have to pass a drug test in order to receive a medical card?
@Ryan
If you are getting ready to get a job, yes there will be a pre-employment drug screen.
The DOT physical exam for a medical card is a separate exam from a drug test.
If you are concerned about drug tests, maybe you should not consider driving for a career.
So if you already passed a pre employment drug screen they won’t test you as you go to take the physical?
@Anonymous
The pre-employment drug screen and the DOT physical are two different tests.
You may be randomly drug tested at any time.
I submitted my new DOT Card via fax by my company on 13 December. What is approx date the system will be updated?
my cdl in pa was downgraded in may of 2014 and i self certified as non-excepted intrastate before it was downgraded. if i wanted to use my cdl again can i just go get a medical card and send in a self certification form.
@Matt
You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department. They are the only ones who can tell you what your status is, and what you need to do next to get your CDL re-instated.
I was injured while operating a propane delivery truck in April 2016. Was undergoing care by the company acquired physician who was subsequently fired after placing me on work restrictions that included no operating company vehicle. Notifying both my employer and the ex-physician of my expiration date, both cited some DOT regs that allowed for a waiver every 30 days after the Medical card expired The ex-physician and the staff of a regulated DOT medical center all cited, that until I was either treated and released, or was presented with a Medical certificate for limited driving of a CMV , then it would be a waste of $80 to simply be failed. Employer was notified and verified everything and the day my medical card did expire, I signed and he was to fax this medical card waiver to the PA DMV , U.S.DOT and the company safety director. I had since signed and filed 2 others. The last was to expire on Oct 1. 2016. On October 3, still not treated and released I was terminated without cause. Today I was informed that although my CDL-A is valid until 9/2019 that since no notice was made to PennDOT /DMV within 30 days , then I’d have to re-apply for the entire CDL-A process all over again..including the classroom , exams and driving test with a rented T/T. This as told to me by PA DMV today, sounds quite odd. Should i simply appear at the local Driver’s License center and present all the documentation –including the award from the Md Workers Comp Board, citing the case and the pending surgical repairs ?
@Daniel
You need to go to the state drivers license department and explain your situation. If you are injured and can not pass the class A drivers examination as ‘Fit for Duty’, then the state should be able to hold your class A license in suspension until further notice. So check with the local DLD office and see what they have to say.
Due to a vehicle accident I am temporarily (hopefully) disabled. It is time for me to renew my medical card. What can I do so that I do not have to lose my cdl?
I am not driving now due to my disability, but hope to in the future.
@Jamie
You’ll need to check with you local drivers license department to see what they can do to put your CDL on hold.
I mailed and also faxed my dot physical card into Pennsylvania and received the fax notice it was received should expect a new license or do they just upgrade the status off my new physical in the system
@Lawrence
They just renew the status of your medical card on file with your license in the system.
I submitted my new DOT Card via fax on 13 December. What is approx date the system will be updated?
None of my company vehicles require a CDL license. Are my employees still required to have a drivers physical every year. I’ve been told yes and no.
@Doug
If your vehicles are being using for commerce, the driver must maintain a valid medical card. Medical cards may be valid for up to 2 years, but could be shorter depending on health conditions.
I put wrong address on med card put my mailing address by force habit pa downgraded cdl to operator lic without warning i sent new one cant believe an address made lose tld me take 5 days to fix not happy been drivin 18 yrs no points on license or csa
Do CDL exempt farm drivers need to have a medical card?
@Tom
You don’t need a medical card if you fall in the ‘excepted’ category.
Would my Pennsylvania CDL and medical card cover me for driving in other states with a Pennsylvania employer
@Todd
Only if you have been certified for “interstate”.
“Intrastate only” restricts you to within the state where you are licensed.
I have been diagnose with glaucoma in both eyes and am being treated with drops before I go too bed but my vision is still 20/20 in both eyes corrected with glasse as I have always worn is this ok too pass a dot physical I also have mild floaters which been going away gradually
@Lawrence
Make sure you take medical release form from your doctor explaining your situation. Since you correct at the time, you should be OK, for now. This is a gradual progressive condition and will need to be monitored until treatment has been discontinued.
I have white-coat syndrome. Every time anyone takes my blood pressure or even talks about my blood pressure it makes me worry which drives it up. When I have it taken under non-stress circumstances, it’s fine. My EKG checked out OK, I am healthy and I have an excellent driving record.
I am now faced with losing my job because my “registering” blood pressure will not allow me to pass the DOT Physical. What can I do? Is there a more extensive and complete physical I can have that would clearly show that I’m healthy enough to work?
@NM
Here are some tips that may help with white coat syndrome.
We are a Delaware company, incorporated in this state. There is not a requirement for a medical card, while driving a truck in Delaware. Nor are there any certified doctors or DOT facilities in Delaware that issue these cards.However, the State of Pennsylvania and the State of Maryland require medical cards. Our drivers travel to both states to pick up plants.
Where can we go to get these cards? Will one medical card be enough for both Delaware and Maryland? Could our drivers be exempt from having a medical card?
Thank you,
Marye
@MaryE
No your drivers cannot be exempt.
One medical card is enough – it will be an “interstate” medical card. It is basically the same DOT medical exam for interstate or intrastate and you can use a medical examiner in any state.