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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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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.
@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.
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.
@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.
Will my father-in-law lose his Pa Driver’s license if he gives up his CDL due to sleep apnea restriction?
@ Chris
Most likely not his drivers license, cdl will have new requirements. For drivers licensing questions check with your states drivers license department.
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.
@Dan
Once every two years is all you need for FMCSA.
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?
my medical examiners certificate has expired. how do i reinstate it
@ edward
You go take a new medical examination and pass it.
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
@ 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.
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
@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.
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
@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.
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
@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.