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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
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.
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 hold a cdl class b license im not sure what box to check? Im not currently driving at this time but i would like to keep my license and not loose them. Do I send anything else with this self-certificate affidavit besides the DOT?
@LaToya
For more information on which box to check, read our blog post New FMCSA Medical Regulations.
Send in the self-certification affidavit and a copy of your valid/current DOT medical certificate.
(If you have a variance from FMCSA, you’ll need to send that in too. If you do have one, you’ll know what this is, otherwise don’t worry about it.)
Not sure which box to check we farm and have farm tags. On occasion we do cross the state line so I assume it’s 1 or 3 just not sure which one. Thanks
@Robin
Here is a link to Texas DPS guidelines to make this determination.
If you cross state lines, you will certify Interstate.
Read the guidelines to see if your farm operations fall under Excepted or Non-excepted.
if i got my license in 2013,am i on file already,or do i have to send my medical card in to dps?
@George
According to the Texas affidavit form the changes began in March 2012, so you most likely completed the form at that time.
If you’re not sure, you may want to check with your local DPS.
I got my DOT card in December of 2012; and therefore, it is good through December 2014. At the time I was unaware that this was a new requirement and that it needed to be sent in. It states that the requirements are within 15 days of getting your medical card so does that mean I would need to have a new one issued? Please advise. Thanks for your help in advance.
@Kent
When you submit your Self-certification Affidavit to Texas DPS, also submit a copy of your current medical card valid to December 2014, and it will be good.
In the future – The 15 day requirement for a new medical card, means that when your current medical card expires (December 2014), you have 15 days to get a new medical card on file with your CDL record at DPS, to keep your CDL valid.
Is there a way I can get another copy of my DOT card?
@Menta
See FAQ miscellaneous questions.
Is there a list I can check to make sure all of my drivers have filed a self certification affidavit?
I currently hold a tex class A cdl. I do not transport any type of cargo. my employment is a sales rep with the operation of a company car. the only requirement was a pre employment drug screen . i maintain the cdl to move a company truck in an emergency situation only. must i still get a med cert even if i do not transport cargo or equipment ?
@Dave
I would check with your state DMV. In some states, you must maintain a valid medical card to keep your class A CDL. But that changes from state to state. Or you may be able to downgrade your driver’s license to a class B or D and not have to have a valid medical certificate.
thanx !!
I submitted my CDL Self-Affidavit via FAX several days ago and have not gotten any feedback as to whether it was received, filed, etc. Is there any way to check on that or do I just hear something if it does not get where it should be and my license is downgraded?
Hope to hear from you via email soon.
Thanks,
@Joe
In most cases the state does not respond to a fax confirmation of receipt of the fax. I would just check online if possible or make a call.
Most state DMV offices have an online way to check your drivers license validity. See Texas DPS online services.