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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 received a letter stating my cdl is downgraded now that my medical card is expired. I understand I needed to get a new one however I drive for a local city that doesn’t require medical cards. From what I’ve been told med cards aren’t needed for government jobs. The only reason I got it was a trooper at the dps told me I needed one to renew my license but didn’t bother asking if my job required one. Once I got with a clerk he told me I got it for nothing. So why would I be downgraded if my job doesn’t require it?
@ Israel
Most states have adopted the requirement of maintaining a valid medical card to keep your CDL valid. Check with your local drivers license department for their requirements.
If you drive for a government agency and only drive intrastate then no you dont need a medical card. Only needed if you drive government vehicles outside the state in Tx like to Oklahoma or anywhere else. I’ve had mine that way since the medical card came into effect. Also you won’t be able to drive any commercial vehicle that isnt a government vehicle.
I had my dot physical current at the time but they still down graded my license. If I have proof of this can I get my CDL reinstated. The DMV says no because I had to renew. But the DOT physical card is good from that timeframe.
@ Scott
You need to check with your local DLD for the best answer.
Do I have to go just to the company doctor for a DOT physical or can I go to a doctor of my choosing as far as the DPS is concerned ?
@ George O
Totally your choice and make sure you know your companies policy on the issue.
I HAVE HAD 2 DOT PHYSICALS WITH IN A WEEK AND THE 1ST CERT. I TOOK TO DMV, IM WONDERING IF I HAVE TO TAKE THE SECOND BECAUSE I AM STILL CLREAED TO DRIVE NO RESTRICTIONS. AND THE TIME FRAME IS LESS THAN 5 DAYS SO WILL THE FIRST ONE BE OK. IN TEXAS YES
@ Shalandra W
The second physical was turned into the fed and should also be reported to your state, it avoids bureaucratic confusion.
am from Texas my medical card expires in 2-21-2019 and am off of work due to work related injured can they down grade my CDL due to being under a doctors care my license expire in about 5 years how does it work , before my license expire or medical card needs to be renew before it expires just worried cause getting ready to go through surgery just wondering , and tips.
@ Marcos V
Since you are out with injuries, your medical card is invalid, that being said, the state is unaware of your situation. Just get a new medical examination card when you are fully recovered and turn it in to the state, then you’ll be fine.
My husband’s medical card will expire in April 2019. He will be working out of our state of Texas from September 2018 to June 2019. Can he renew the medical card just before he leaves instead of in April?
@ JV
He can renew his medical certification card anywhere. It is a federal certification and is accepted by all states, provided the examiners are on the national registry.
in 2015 our company merged with another. i did not renew my medical card. as of june 15 2018 i have a new medical dot card. is my cdl license still valid after turning in my medical card to the dps department.
@ joe V
You need to check with your local drivers license department for the answer.
When you click on the CDL-7 download it takes you to a bad link.