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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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My father-in-laws CDL is up for renewal July 4th. He is having surgery tomorrow and will be in ICU for at least a week and then unable to drive his personal vehicle for 2-3 weeks and won’t be released completely for 10-12 weeks.
What does he need to do or can do until he is able to come in to renew so that he’s not downgraded?
@ Derek G
Check with your states DLD, they usually have policy for such instances.
Does anybody know the answer from Texas
Can you get a medical card in a different state then you are submitting to get a cdl?
@ Rodney
Yes.
my husband moved to michigan with me. we went to get his new cdl and the state of tx told the state of michigan that he did not have a cdl. the license he carries shows it, his last employer has verified it for years. now we are stuck. no phone number to speak to a real person at tx dot. not sure what to do
@ Lisa
Make sure that his cdl has not been downgraded for some reason. And then fix the issue, if it has. The state of TX is downgrading cdl’s if there is no valid medical card on file. Start there.
If my TEXAS CDL was disqualified du to ALR for a 1 year in that year my medical card expired. Coukd not renew medical card cuas i did not have a license in my position and now my CDL has been expires since December 2018 when renwel do i get downgrade and can i upgrade to CDL whith out taking the skill test
@ Alvaro N
You need to talk with TX DLD for your best answer.
i have sent my med cert. at the email provided above. tomoro is the 27th of march, my deadline, can anyone tell me if you have recieved it, and if i need to do anything else.
Can a driver have his CDL in Texas and go renew medical card in a different state?
@ Yajaira
Yes, medical cards are good federally/nationwide.
I’m prescribed adderall will this effect my physical drug screen and disqualify me from obtaining my medical card and cdl.
@ James
It should not effect your drug screen results. And even if it did, you would only need to provide a copy of your prescription.
Does the doctor that performs the d.o.t physical send any paperwork to TX dps even if the patient doesn’t send his in to dps?
@ T
Most states require the CME to send certification to the DPS. You’ll have to check with your states DPS for a better answer.
If I’m driving just in the state of Texas, do I need a medical card to drive a truck?
@ Rafael P Q
In most states if the vehicle you drive is used for commerce, then you need a valid medical card. Check with your local DLD to confirm if that is true in your state.
if u drive only in the state of texas and are born before 1972 u don’t need a medical card your grandfatherd in
@ willie
Confirm that statement with the state of Texas drivers license department.
I have a current medical card but was downgraded, how did this happen and what can I do?
@ Omar
Check with your local DLD for your answer.
My DOT physical expires on 13-Feb-2019 but wont be able to get it done by April due to I work in a war zone and im not able to leave until April. Is there a grace period to how long my physical can be expired before i lose my CDL?
@ Nate M
FMCSA does not have a grace period, but your state may due to your circumstances. Check with your local DLD for their stance on the issue.