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Texas CDL Requirements
All Texas CDL holders are required to certify the type of commercial operation they’re engaged in. CDL holders operating in non-excepted interstate and non-excepted intrastate are required to submit a current medical examiner’s certificate and any variance they may have to the Department.
Non-Excepted-Interstate Commerce (Form CDL-4)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Non-Excepted-Intrastate Commerce (Form CDL-5 part B)
You must meet the Texas medical certificate requirements.
Submit Your Self-Certification Affidavit and Medical Certificate to Texas Department of Public Safety
Submit the following two documents:
- Texas Commercial Driver License Self-Certification Affidavit – Form CDL-4 or Form CDL-5.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card (not the long form) and any variance you may have. Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
Texas Department of Public Safety
License and Record Service
Attention: CDL Section
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, Texas 78773-0320
By Fax:
512-424-2002 Attn: CDL Section
By Email:
CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov
Documents must be in PDF format
Keep Your Medical Card Current With Texas Department of Public Safety
Drivers are required to keep a current medical variance or medical examiners certificate on file with DPS, and failure to do so will result in the downgrade of the individual’s CDL.
You must provide a copy of each new DOT medical card to the Department prior to the expiration of the current DOT medical card.
To prevent your commercial driver license from being downgraded, you will need to send a copy of your new DOT medical certificate to the Department within 15 days of the DOT medical certificate issuance date.
You may submit your new medical certificate by mail, fax, or email, as described above.
You can review a driver’s current CDL medical certification status by accessing driver eligibility.
Other Information:
Texas DPS official website: Driver License
Texas CDL Medical Certification Requirement
Texas DPS/CVE – Locate a commercial vehicle office – address and phone number
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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How do you prove driving “regularly “ before Aug 1989 to be eligible for CDL-5 part A ?
@ Mark
Your questions will be best answered by your local DLD.
Is there a website where I can check to see if my medical card is valid.
@ Jeffrey J
Check with your local drivers license department (DLD).
How much dose it cost to update you medical card.
@ Patrick
Different facilities, different prices.
What are the penalties if you let your medical card expire? Is there a grace period to get it?
Every state is different, they’ll downgrade you typically in 30-45 days after you let it expire or if you don’t submit it within that time. To reinstate they’ll require you to go in, present the med cert, and pay the fee to renew your license (the fee varies by state). So there’s a grace period, but not much of one!!!
How do I get reinstated ? How much are the fees for the downgrade for no medical card renewal ?
@ Joshua P
Both of these questions will be best answered by your local drivers license department (DLD).
Can I get my medical card in any city or does it have to be in the same city that I’ll be getting my cdl?
@ Carl
You can get your physical done by any CME in any state/city, as longs they are on the national registry.
I’m not finding a definitive answer on this. Is Texas offering a grace period on turning in the medical card for CDL?
@ Carey
The fed extended the grace period to mid October, but you will need to confirm with your states DLD in Texas.
Is there a way to get an extension since you cannot obtain the med cert on time
@ Anonymous
Most states have a small grace period, but do not count on them. Get your medical done ASAP and get it registered with your states DLD.
I retired 9 months ago and I just got my medical certification renewal notice.My question is can I keep my CDL without the certification and then get one if I decide to drive again?
@ Charles S
Most states require a valid medical card to keep your cdl active. Best to confirm with your local DLD.
Texas med certificate expiring because of medical health issues/surgery recovery time.Is there a grace period in Texas to get the medical certificate to them after expiration.
@ Michael D P
Not sure if Texas is following DOT/FMCSA. FMCSA has extended the grace period to the middle of October. Check with your local DLD.
Tried to renew my CDL online and mistakenly renewed to Class C .Now they tell me I have to retest written and road for a CDL after having a CDL for over 30 years.Is there anyway I can get around this because no one at DPS wants to help.
@ Daniel M
This is a state related issue and will have to be resolved at the state level. See if you can get an appointment with a supervisor, they should be able to help or at least guide you from here.
I swear I just had this happen today what is going on