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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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Do i have to get my medical examiner’s certification before i take my written class a test
@Michael
That’s a question to ask DMV or your class instructor.
Our Texas CDL driver had a minor heart attack roughly 2 weeks ago. He was released from hospital after just 24 hours. They installed one stent. He says he feels great. What does he need to return to driving? He saw a temporary (he has not been assigned a long-term one yet by the VA) cardiologist this morning and they released him to drive as long as there were no physical exertions required.
@Jeff
If he has been released to return to work, then he needs a new medical examination to determine medical fitness for duty. That may be an issue if he has restrictions placed upon him.
As an OTR driver, there is no such thing as light duty, so he must be able to perform his normal daily activity.
If he is an intra-state only driver then he may fall under the states rules and regulations.
He will need a medical release form stating that he is ready to return to work. The examiner will, most likely, request a copy of his most recent stress test.
All of this is based on the OTR drivers standards. If he is not class A OTR driver then he falls under different regulations from the state he lives and drives in.
im working as a mechanic not driving do I still need to keep a medical card im only 50 and I don’t want to give it up
@Enrique
The only person who can answer this question is someone who works at your local drivers license department.
Some states will allow a driver to self-certify in an “Excepted” category while they are not driving, to maintain their CDL.
Others may allow you to downgrade your license, and switch back later.
If my CDL license was downgrade due to employer did not submit Dot medical in on time. How long do it take to reinstate if a submit proof of my DOT physical and will they reinstate without me retaking test?
@Waverly
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that your local drivers license department has a current medical card on file with your driver’s license.
You’ll need to contact your drivers license department personally to find out what they want from you to reinstate your CDL.
I am retired, do i still need to have a medical card?
@R SS
No, but if you have a CDL you need to notify your local drivers license department to have your license downgraded, otherwise they will suspend your drivers license if you don’t have a current medical card on file.
Has there been a change in blood pressure parameters as far as if your blood pressure is above 140 over 90 initially during your physical that you can no longer receive a medical health card longer than 6 months meaning you have to renew every six months for the rest of your ability to hold a CDL
@James
If the situation is a first-time blood pressure over 140/90 and not yet on medication, you could get a one-year card to get the blood pressure under control.
If on medication, and BP is over 140/90 – you get one-time 90-day card to get it under control.
Once under control, 140/90 or below, you renew on an annual basis.
If my blood pressure is 140/86 and the Doctor dated my card for 2 years, my company says its only good for 1 year because of the 140. By DOT regs im I good for 2 years?
@ Five H
FMCSA says 140/90 or lower. So a 140 is still in the two year range, unless you are taking any medication to maintain that pressure.
Does a CMV operating intrastate in Texas need to have a medical card if it’s under 26,0001lbs?
Thank you!
I had a commercial license but i had a lost in the family and i didnt send my medical, how can i recover my cdl? do i need to take the tests again?
@Octavio
Only your local drivers license department can tell you what you need so contact them.
I did not present my medical card they downgrade me how can i get it back do i have to retest
You only have to retest if your driver’s license is expired. If it isn’t expired, you have to pay for a new license, and get a new photo license, but it will still be good until the date your license expires.