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Tennessee CDL Requirements
Updated: 3/23/22
Starting on January 30, 2012, all CDL Drivers will be required to self certify to a single type of commercial operation. You are responsible to provide TDOSHS with your self-certification of operating status by January 30, 2014.
Based on that self certification, you may need to provide the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) with a current medical examiner’s certificate and show any variance you may have to obtain or keep your CDL.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the medical requirements for the State of Tennessee.
If you do not provide TDOSHS with your self-certification and medical certificate by January 30, 2014, TDOSHS will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate commerce. TDOSHS will then remove all your CDL privileges from your license.
Submit your Affidavit Self-Certification and Medical Certificate Form MCSA 5876 to Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Submit the following two documents:
- SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE – download the form SF-1480 (Rev11/18) here from Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
- Copy of your valid Medical Examiner Certificate – Form MCSA 5876 (the medical card, not the long form). Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
Tennessee Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security
Commercial Driver License Division – Med Cert
1148 Foster Ave
Nasvhille, TN 37243
By Email:
DI.CDL.Medcert@tn.gov
If by email please send the scanned copies in a PDF.
Upload Self-Certification Affidavit and Medical Examiner’s Certificate:
TN Driver Services upload link
For questions please call 615-502-4179. Please have your commercial driver license number readily available.
Keep Your Medical Card Current With Tennessee Department Of Safety
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will be adding your medical certification status and the information on your medical examiner’s certificate to your Commercial Driver’s License System (CDLIS) record. CDL holders required to have a ”certified” medical status who fail to provide and keep up-to-date their medical examiner’s certificate with TDOSHS will become ”not-certified”.
It is the driver’s responsibility to maintain up to date medical certification notification to the state.
Before your medical card expires you must have a new medical examination and obtain a new medical certificate. You are responsible for providing your valid medical certificate to TDOSHS.
If your medical card expires, TDOSHS will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate commerce. TDOSHS will then remove all your CDL privileges from your license.
You may submit your new medical certificate by mail, email, or online as described above.
Other Information:
Tennessee official website Driver Services
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.
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I have a current CDL, but had heart surgery last year. I now have a defibrillator, so will have to get an InTRAstate certification just for the state of TN. How would I go about this?
@ MDonahoe
If you are a class A driver, then you get your regular DOT/FMCSA medical cert exam. Then take the results to your state, so they can issue the intra-state only license.
My wife was terminally ill a year and a half ago and has since then passed away my medical certification expired can I get my medical certification renewed and get my CDL privileges reinstated.
@ Donald G
Since your cdl is a state issued document, you will need to check with your local DLD for guidance.
I have employees that need to get there CDL medical cards renewed, but they do not expire until December and January. what is the time frame they can start getting a renewed medical card before it expires?
@ Rachel C
New medical cards can be done at any time. The new medical cards over-ride the old ones and have a new beginning and expiration date, so they lose the last couple months on their existing cards.
If I let my medical card expire and they revoke my cdl. Will the State of Tn send me a updated license or do I have to go to the dmv?
@ Matt
Probably best to go to the DMV and downgrade. May save you from having to retest, if you want your cdl back.
Medical card expired in march so they cancelled my cdl privleges. Got it renewed for a year a couple of days ago. I submitted that and the self affidavit online. Is that all I have to do to get my privileges back?
@ Devin H
Ask your states drivers license department for confirmation. This is a state related question, not federal DOT.
I’m a retired over road driver that while in Tn kept up med. Card, I retired and didn’t think about a med card and moved to Ohio and went to get Ohio cdl and removed hazmat endorsement, no problem but when went to change states to Ohio found out Tn put hold on cdl. Got info that med cal was needed to take hold off, I since did requirements and went on line and felled paperwork out and took picture of med card. I then got a email from Tn saying it was denied. Please I don’t know what they want to solve this. Do you in anyway look at my paperwork and tell me what I did wrong.
@ Douglas n W
Did you have a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination done by a CME? If not, there is the problem
Having a knee replacement on May 17. Dot card is up on July 19. Doctor says I should be ok 6-8 weeks after surgery but this is cutting it close. What would it take to get an extension if I’m not at 100% by July 19? Can I go before my knee operation?
@ John K
Best to wait until fully released to return to work before going for a new medical card. Going early would require a new card when released. Waiting until released may cut your time close or a little late but you should be OK.
When it comes to NON-CDL CMV Operators, at 19,500 lbs, some states dont require a medical card to operate, like AZ.
Is Tennessee one of those states?
I’m trying to find this answer as well. The only thing I can find is that a TDOT number is not required for Intrastate commerce by a private carrier until 26,001lbs. I can’t find anything concerning a medical card requirement at a certain weight under 23,001lbs.
@ Mark C
Most states require a medical card for any vehicle, not just weight, being used for commerce (making money for someone). Best to confirm with your local DLD for your best answer.
I’m a school bus driver in Alabama but would like to apply for job in Tennessee? I have my Cdl license and health card what else is required?
@ Nita
You probably have all you need, but confirm with Tennessee DLD.
I’m not understanding the difference between a medical card and a medical certificate. I started off driving for the government so medical cards weren’t required as we were able to present a waiver. After I left that job and renewed my license, I had to get a medical card from a physician to present to the state with my renewal. My medical card expires in October 2022 but DL doesn’t expire until 2028, will I have to get a new medical card and go present it to the DOT? Side note: I’m not currently driving trucks, I would just like to keep my CDLs just in case.
@ Kenny G
Yes, most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Confirm with your local drivers license department.
Thanks!