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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
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.
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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!
I renewed my medical card but forgot to self certify. I received a letter in the mail. If I self certify will they reinstate my license without having to go through great lengths. Med card never expired. I didn’t know I had to send documents in. Only been driving two yearso this is my first experience renewing.
@ Stone
Most likely, but check with your local drivers license department for confirmation.
I tried to self certify but it wants to verify me it ask for last name dl number and ss number then it says a code had been sent to my phone number which is an old number i no longer have it gives no other option so what can i do
@ Bill
You will have to get your answer from the state drivers license department, since it is a state related issue.