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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 have a quick question. I live in the state of Pa my medical card expired two days ago but my CDL is not expired and i want to get my medical card on Tuesday to avoid losing it. Do you think its still possible for me to turn in the information? medical card to still keep my CDL?
@ Janear W
Should be no problem. Most states are running slightly behind and not too quick to down grade your cdl. Get it done ASAP though.
Hello. I’ma Full time driver for ups. I renewed my physical DOT card in September 2024. It was taken when my wallet was stolen out of my car. Do I need to retake the physical exam in order to obtain a copy of the card? Or can I apply for a copy of the card so long as it is not expired? I’m not supposed to work without a copy of it so I’d like to figure this out quickly. Please be in touch. Best, thanks.
@ Aaron
Just touch base with the office that did your medical certification examination. Explain your situation and they should be able to provide a copy for you.
Hello I have some question
Well my cdl medical card expired a few months ago and can I apply new one or did i lose my cdl already
Reason why I couldn’t renew my cdl medical card
I was out of the USA
@ Mason
Best to confirm with your local drivers license department. Most likely you did not lose your cdl, but will need a new med card to validate your license again.
Does a class B cdl driver in PA need to carry his Med card while driving?
@ Jonathan B
Each state is a little different and since you fall under your states guidelines and variances, check with your local drivers license department for clarification.
My medical card will expire, my medical exam is scheduled two weeks after the expiration date.. When it expires how do I reinstate it after I get my exam?
@ Jim M
Most states are running a few weeks behind, so you just need to get the medical done and get it to your local DLD asap.
My medical card for CDL expires 2 weeks ago
If I get new one how can I submit new medical card outside the state
For example I am in Maryland right now
@ IIkhom K
You will need to get a copy of your new medical card to the state your cdl is issued from. Contact your states drivers license department for their contact information so you can send a copy to them.
I currently have Cdl but I dont require It at this time-if I wish to retain it do I still have to get a medical card even if I don’t drive a Cdl required vehicle at this time but maybe I win retirement part time
@ Kevin
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Best to confirm with your local DLD.