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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!
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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.