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Rhode Island CDL Requirements
Effective January 30, 2012, new federal regulations require all Commercial Driver License holders to self-certify their type of commercial driving. All CDL holders must submit a self-certification in order to be issued and maintain their CDL. The deadline for self-certification is January 30, 2014.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the medical requirements for your State.
Submit your Self-Certification and Medical Certificate to the State of Rhode Island DMV
Submit the following two documents:
- Self Certification For A Commercial Driver’s License – download the form here from Rhode Island DMV.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (medical card only, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
In Person:
Division of Motor Vehicles
Commercial Driver’s License Office
600 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920-3024
Keep your Medical Card current with Rhode Island DMV
CDL holders required to have a ”certified” medical status who fail to provide and keep their medical examiner’s certificate up to date with their SDLA will become ”not-certified” and they may lose their CDL.
Prior to the expiration of you medical card, you must provide a new DOT medical card to your DMV located in Cranston.
Other Information:
Official Website: State of Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles
Cranston Headquarters – CDL – Phone 401-462-4368
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…
To help us all avoid the black eye experience — AARGH! —
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My current medical/physical card expires on March 5 2023. I had my physical last week in proper preparation but failed due to vision in right eye. I went to my eye doctor who prescribed glasses. Since the glasses may not be here in time to retake my physical by the expiration date, he gave me a note specifically for the DMV granting me permission to keep my license. I went back to retake physical and they didn’t accept the proper note from eye doctor. What to do so as not to lose license???
@ Raymond L
The medical examiner has to operate on DOT/FMCSA requirements, so the note for DMV can’t work for him. You will not lose your cdl for being a few days late on your medical card.
What kind of vehicle can I drive with my DOT Medical Card with my license Class R can someone help me
@ Miguel
Class R: A license issued to drive for compensation a limousine, taxi, or small van carrying under 14 passengers. The operator’s license will show an “R” endorsement which signifies Chauffeurs.
How long after med card expires can I renew after downgrade ?
@ Jacob L
This will be best answered by your local drivers license department, since your cdl is a state issued document.
Can i keep my cdl without getting my medical card if im not going to use it
@ Ken
Each state is different, so you will need to check with your local drivers license departments for the best answer.
Can i submit my updated medical card online to the dmv ? or do i have to go in the building?
@ Melvin
Best to check with your local DLD for their process.
Do I have to make an appointment to self certify for dot physical?
@ Richard
You will have to check with your local DLD for the best answer.
i have a candidate that is legally blind in one eye- he has a health card and a driver’s license in good standing for RI. is he eligible for a dot card for non-cdl trucks
@ Thomas D
Since your candidate is not a cdl holder, he then falls under the states guidelines and variances. Make sure the medical examiner know the difference between state and federal guidelines. Confirm with your local drivers license department, they should be able to guide you from here.
We have a company box truck < 26000lbs. Are the driver’s of this vehicle required to have a Rhode Island Health Card or is the health card only for those with a CDL?
@ Pete R
Each state is different. As a general statement, any vehicle that is used for commerce requires a valid medical card. Confirm with your states drivers license department.
I’m a Rhode Island resident out on Worker’s Comp and my card expired. Can I still get my medical card renewed even though I’m out on comp? If not how do I go about not having my license get suspended?
@ Chris
Contact your local drivers license department, they should be able to guide you through their process.