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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 (CDL-4)
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Non-Excepted-Intrastate Commerce (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 – download the form (CDL-7) here from Texas Department of Public Safety.
- 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
Enforcement & Compliance 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.
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. However, until that system is completed, 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’m going to take my CDL permit test soon here in Arkansas, do I have to take a medical card? I’m just getting my permit then going to a CDL driving school with Prime inc Trucking company. Once I pass my permit test they said they will schedule me an appointment for a DOT physical.
@ Chris
If Prime is going to set the appointment for the DOT medical certification examination, then you probably won’t need it for the test.
Can you have more than 1 medical card on your cdl?
@ Stephen T. S
For class A, no. Not sure about lesser class cdl’s.
Do you need a med card in order to take your CDLA at the DPS office
@ Ericbrink
If you are going for a class A drivers license, then you will need a valid medical card. But confirm with the DPS as to their requirements.
Can you have 2 extensions on your medical card??
@ Mark
DOT/FMCSA class A, NO.
Can I go to any Primary Care Doctor to get a Medical Examiners Certificate or just special ones that participate? Also do I need this before I apply for a new CDL or after? In Texas.
@ KG
Your DOT/FMCSA medical certification must come from a registered medical examiner. They will be on the national registry. Probably best to have the new medical card before you go for a new cdl.
If my CDL expired due to not updating my medical card, what do I have to do to renew it? Take all the classes again? Thank you!
@ Gregory C
Check with your local drivers license department for your best answer. You may be so lucky as to simply renew your medical card and get it registered in your state.
No, just go to dps office. As long as it hasn’t been more than 90 days or that you haven’t renewed to downgraded dl
*Its been a year and I have a new medical card,can I just go to the dps office and get my license upgraded?
@ Thomas
You need to check with dps for clarification on this issue.
I caught Covid and been out for a few weeks ! This was a helpful answer
I have a class A but not in a job right now, can I keep the cdl and “deactivate” my cdl driving privileges until I go back to work and get a medical card then? Is there a form I need to register with the dps to do so?
@ Ray
Best answer will come from your states drivers license department, check with them.