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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…
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My work is now requiring me to have a DOT medical card as I occasionally two small generators with my 2500 work truck even though I do not have a CDL. I have a medical marijuana card for the state of Texas. Can I get the DOT health card if I test positive for marijuana but have a legal medical card?
Thanks.
@ Dave S
You fall under your states regulations and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Your question will be best answered by your local drivers license department (DLD).
I’m retired now but I still have my Cdl. What can I do if I’m not active? Do I still need my physical card or can I go inactive till I get ready to work again?
@ William B
Most state require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Confirm with your local drivers license department (DLD) for any exceptions.
I work full time driving school buses. On weekends I have a job driving a Motor Coach Bus. Both require a DOT medical physical. Since covid my Motor coach company let me use my DOT medical card from the school district. They just this week ask me to come get a form to go get my DOT medical physical done. For the ISD one I go July 24th. If I go the 24th and the Motor coach company shortly thereafter or vice versa doesn’t taking the 2nd one make the 1 st one invalid? I told them that is what I thought that it would invalidate the 1st one if I did that. That told me no it doesnt.
@ Cindy D
Everything will depend on the class cdl you carry. Federal DOT/FMCSA wants to control all class A interstate drivers and the CME has to follow the federal guidelines and regulations. Less class or intra-state only, fall under the states rules and regs. The CME should know both sets of rules and regs.
I got my original med card that was good for two years when I started CDL school, and then a couple months later I was hired by a large company that required another one. It is only good for a year, but I wasn’t really told what to do with it so now that I’m out and working, I don’t know what I should do. Which one is valid and now the last one is about 6 months old and I’m wondering what I was supposed to do??
@ Krista J
First question, Why a one year card when you had a two year card? The newest medical card is the only valid card in your possession. Based on why you received a one year card, you will need to renew before it expires and get a copy to your company and your local drivers license department.
In the state of Texas do I have to submit my updated DOT medical card with the CDL-4 form? If so, do I have to get the CDL-4 form notarized?
@ Rick
Best answer will come from your local drivers license department. This is not a federal issue.
My medical card expires april 27 2024 im class a cdl driver do i hqve any grace period for renewal cdl texas lisc3nse holder?
@ Jesus g
Not really. Get your physical done NOW and get a copy to TX. DLD Now and you will be OK.
I renewed my medical card 10 days before it expired and the system didnt update my information so now 3 months later after renewing its saying i dont have a medical card whenever i do have on up to date what should i do ?
@ Adam
You may need to walk a copy into your local DLD and have it updated in their system.
Hell my name is Mark Dejohn I was in prison when my Dot card expired I was in there for 2yrd my license is down graded back class c from class a what do I need to do. Do I have to take the test over I was in prison July 2021-4/2023.hopely it’s not to late. To get my class A back.
@ Mark D
Your cdl is a state issued document and has its own requirements, which are separate from DOT/FMCSA. Your best answer is going to come from your local DLD.
What is the form that needs to be filled out by your physician if you have a disability(epilepsy) and where can I get get it?
@ Laurie
Refer to MC-PSP. Best to go to FMCSA.DOT.GOV and type in exemption form epilepsy. The form is in a pdf file and has all the basic requirements for the exemption.
Should read: NEW Seizure 01252021.pdf (177.56 KB)
DOT medical card will expire in 2 weeks I recently had surgery and can not go for a DOT physical for 2 months. How can I keep my CDL and endorsements?
@ Ellen B
In most cases, contact your local DLD and explain your situation. They will have a process in place for just such situations. Then follow their guidelines.
If I don’t want to renew my medical certificate and downgrade my license do I have to renew my license now or when it expires
@ Terry
Best to confirm with your local DLD for guidance on this issue.
How do I get my cdl reinstated after being downgraded due to no medical certificate?
@ Levi
Most states require a valid medical card before you can re-instate your cdl. Then each state has some process that you will need to follow. Best to check with your local DLD for guidance on their process.
If you have an up-to-date DOT card but are applying for another job and they make you take a new DOT test will void the old card if you fail
@ Joseph E S
For a class A medical, if the information from the failed examination is input to the registry, then it voids the existing medical card.
If my CDL is downgraded, how long after I submit my medical certificate via email (I have had it since last year) will it take DPS to upgrade my license back to commercial?
@ Donnie W
That will be a question, best answered, by your local drivers license department
I was not notified that my medical card was expired. Is there any grace period in the state of Texas?
@ Kenneth C
Nope. TX DLD is not responsible to notify you about your medical card or your drivers license, that all falls to you. Go get the medical examination and get the copy to TX DLD ASAP. You may be OK.
You have 60 days.
My husband failed the DOT physical with high blood pressure. He has to get it under control we know, but how do we proceed with his license? Does he need to go to the DPS? Can we get a second opinion?
@ Alice G
You can always get a second opinion, if you disagree with the initial findings. CDL’s are a state related document, so you may need to check with DPS for guidance in their process.
My wife had to have emergency back surgery out of the USA and is still unable to travel back home and her Medical card is due next month. She should be home soon but will not pass the medical part of her CDL for at least two months . How can she receive an examination so she doesn’t lose her CDL.
@ Patrick H
Get in touch with your local drivers license department and explain the situation. They will have a process in place that will be your best answer. Then follow their process.
How can I get a copy of a old drivers license are paper license with my hazmat endorsement on it. I’m trying to get it back on my license. I just some kind of documentation showing that I had it on my license. Thanks I’m in Texas
@ Jarvis T
Your local (DLD) drivers license department should have it on record. Confirm with them.
If I take hydrocodine can I drive a school bus
@ Tim
May be best to check with your local drivers license department.
If I took my dot exam for the medical card 6 days before it expires what happens if the system doesn’t update my information when my old medical card expires ? Do I loose my license ???
@ Ronald
No, most states have a short grace period for just this situation.