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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 live in texas and am going to work for Tx- DOT I have a current class A license and medical card do I have to keep the medical card up to date ?
I quit driving a commercial vehicle 8 months ago. I still work for the trucking company as a recruiter but drive a car. My dot physical is coming due. I want to keep my cdl but do I still have to keep a medical card?
@Darrell
Yes, in order to keep your CDL you must have a current/valid medical card on file with your drivers license.
You can keep your CDL until it expires but cannot drive in a commercial capacity without a medical card.
I have obstructive sleep apnea, I didn’t understand the importance of using it until now I’m cerious, what is the number of days and approximate usage hours I need to show on my yearly data record in order to pass D.O.T Tx physical
@ TX Bus Driver
The most effective treatment is 7 or more hours of CPAP use during sleep.
The Medical Expert Panel’s minimum recommended compliance is:
4 hours of CPAP sleep per day
70% or more days.
Your company/carrier is allowed to impose stricter standards than those recommended by the Medical Review Board.
Some companies are requiring at least 6 hours of CPAP use, 80% of days.
My medical card expired on march 11, 2017 I just got a new one, what do I need to to now, I’m not in Texas st the moment! Do I need to go or can I still fax over my medical card or do I need to go there in person?
@Vicky
Contact your local drivers license department. Your license may have been downgraded and there may be more to the process than just updating your medical certification.
I went ti go get my med card on June 4 2017 but was unsuccessful all because i lost my glasses. I get a new pair in two week at the most , will my licence be downgraded
@Nicole
You’ll need to call your local drivers license department to be sure.
i haven’t drove a diesel in years but i have a CDL now im told i might not have a CDL no more cause i dont have a med. card. I payed big bucks to go to school to get my CDL’s What do i do?
@Robin
Your drivers license will be downgraded if you don’t maintain a current/valid medical card on file with your drivers license department.
Each state treats this process differently so call your local DLD to understand the implications of your CDL being downgraded.
My medical card just expired a day ago, how long do i have to show proof of the new one
@Alex
Right away. Each state is different in how soon they downgrade your drivers license. Get a new medical card on file with DLD as soon as possible.
There isn’t any grace period. I’m sick. Mine expires feb 22. Don’t want to go get it being sick.
@ Mary
Good choice.
I have a new medical card and have emailed it 3 times. It’s been over 20 days since I sent it and still isn’t on file. Any reason for this????
@ Hugh
Sounds like a state related problem, not an FMCSA issue. Check with your state and ask them the same question.
My medical card expires on May 22 2017 and I’m on the road till May 17 2017 can I still get my medical card without being downgraded .
@Agustin
You should be okay if you get a new medical card and fax or email a copy to DMV by May 22.
my certificate expired 2 days ago will I be downgraded or is there a grace period
@Charlie
No grace period.
There is a grace period. I believe it’s 60 days
Hi my husband has renewed his Med card and sent it in by mail and faxed it as well to be sure it’s recieved. We have the fax complete sent successful receipt. But wanted to see if there is a way we could find out if it was received. It expires on the 23rd.
@Brandi
The only way to know is to call your local drivers license department and ask.
Contact info for local offices should be in the Texas DPS link above.
is there a tx law or excemtion that states after a certain year , reg employed , that will require the driver to no longer have a medical card intrastate only ?
@Jimmy
That is a question for your states drivers license department. We try to answer FMCSA / DOT federal related question here and cannot keep up with the moving goal posts of different state regulations and exemptions.
IF you have held your CDL since August 28, 1979 and have been employed driving commercially since in the State of Texas you are exempt from having to get your medical card. But you will have to have your CDL changed to Intrastate Only and on your affidavit state you are exempted intrastate.
My dad has been driving for the same company for 40 years on same cdl is there not some sort of grandfather for his medical card. He is fit as an ox and plans to retire next year
form CDL 7 form can be filled out for Texas, stating intrastate only and no hazmat.
How can anyone doctor or employers cancel a person’s medical certificate after its been in Austin tx awhile and still valid.
@Floyd
Need more information on this one. Unless there were outside circumstances that came into play, we have no idea without further information.
I am scheduling the re-certs for our drivers. Most of the drivers will need to be renewed in April 2017. Is there a time limit prior to the actual re-certs dates. (example reserts in April; wanting to get them done in February)
Thanks in advance
@Jeff
You can have them done at any time, just be aware that the new cards start at the time of the most recent examination.
A few years ago my dot card expried I chose to give up cdla for c license had it for over twelve years what do I have to do to get it back now
@ Sharon K W
Get in touch with your local DLD and ask them. Your cdl comes from the state not the fed.