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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 implanted cardiac defibrillator. With NO history of black outs or any such thing. Is a cardiac device an automatic disqualification for a med card.
My brother-in-law has been a PA cdl licensed driver for many years. He went for his medical exam to renew his license which will expire on 10/8/17 this week. The medical examiner failed him because he listed Metformin in his drug list. He is pre-diabetic, and the drug (which he has been using for over 7 years) is to prevent diabetes, not to treat an existing condition. His doctor needs to complete a form to verify this information but so far he has not been able to find the time to handle it. My sister and brother-in-law are extremely anxious that he will not have sufficient time to get this taken care of and will not be able to work. Is there someone he should talk with in addition to prodding the doctor to complete the paperwork to verify that he is not diabetic?
Thank you
Do I just need to go to my PCP for a Non-CDL medical card? I have been told conflicting information. Does the physical exam vary from the CDL to Non-CDL or is it the same thing?
@Chris
A non CDL medical examination is the same as for a CDL driver, but the examiner should understand the type of driving you do and take that into consideration. Your state may allow you to get a medical card through your PCP. You want to be sure of this – ask your local DLD – or go to a certified medical examiner to be sure.
If I am on seizure medication and have been seizure free for over 18 months and I am cleared to drive my personal vehicle will I be able to get a PA ODT medical card?
@JJ
You’ll need to check with your local drivers license department to know what their time frame and guidelines are.
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.