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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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NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
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?
@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.
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.
@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.
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?
@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.
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?
@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.
Just curious. In Pa, what are the penalties for a driver if caught driving without a valid medical certificate?
I have 5 men with CDL’s that work for a municipality and drive vehicles with Gross Wt. of 37600 will they need medical cards
@Mr. Robinson
This is a question you need to check with PennDOT directly.
Live in pa’ question is. I have a ICD’.. Implanted ‘implanted cardio device.. All dot certification.. Facilities say.. I’m automatically disqualified for a medical card’ have you heard of this before ‘? And is it worth applying for a waiver that the state states is not a guarantee ” thank you…!!!
My son is being asked by a potential employer to provide a medical examiner’s certificate showing that he has passed the DOT physical for PA. The employer will assist him to get a CDL about 6 months into his job training. My son is not currently 18 years old, but will be when the CDL permit is sought. The medical doctor is saying the DOT website will not allow her to put in his birthdate as he is younger than 18 years old, so she cannot issue the medical certificate. If the medical certificate is valid for 2 years, does he have to be 18 right now? He will be 18 when he attempts to get the CDL permit. Thanks for any help. Not sure who to contact about this.
@Bethany
Your son can get a valid medical card and medical certificate without being a CDL holder, but he can not get a CDL until he reaches the correct age. (you’ll need to check with your local DLD for the age limit.). All the examiner has to do is complete the examination and indicate on the medical certificate that he passed the examination, but is not a CDL holder. At that point the examiner does not need to try and input the information to the FMCSA data base and can issue a valid medical card to your son.