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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…
To help us all avoid the black eye experience — AARGH! —
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I am going to retire and I live in Texas but want to keep my CDL do I have to take a medical physical
@ Michael R
Each state is different and most states require a valid medical card to maintain valid cdl. Check with your states drivers license department for any additional information.
Take it with you to the dmv they can attach it to your license.
However if you plan to have a company pay for it.. I would go to them and make them pay for it before getting it. As I recently had a brand new 2yr physical voided by a company chiropractor that I had just paid out of pocket for. Now I’m dealing with the fall out for not refusing to do another physical in less than 2 months
In texas does your medical card have to be from your current job or can you start a new job with the same medical card. Or will they make you take another test to get a medical card for there new hire process.
@ Randy
Your medical card is good for any position that requires a medical card to maintain your cdl. New job hires may be requested, by the company, to have a new medical card if the drivers card is near expiration. But it is a company policy, not DOT/FMCSA.
Hello good evening, I checked my record and saw that I had the expired medical card, from 01 09 2021, but my card says it expires on 04 09 2021, what do I have to do?
@ Osmany
Sounds like a slip-up on somebody’s part. Best bet is to renew your present medical card.
You go by your Medical card, notify your employer because your in violation of driving and can no longer drive until you go and take that new DOT fiscal asap, You might have your Lic bumped back down to a class C from the A or B there is a time frame they give you when they expire to renew, you should have received a letter warning you. Good luck P.S. take it direct to DPS, to update as soon as you get it done to keep from paying to upgrade your lic back.
I’m trying to get an Intrastate CDL in Texas for the first time and have applied for a vision waiver because I do not meet the DOT vision requirements of 20/40 in each eye. My question is that if I get my vision waiver approved, can I get employment with a transport company in Texas? I am a bit confused with the following paragraph on the vision waiver application
“This waiver is not a guarantee of employment. … Holders of a Texas Intrastate Vision Waiver who do not meet the physical requirements for a DOT Medical Card may be legally denied employment.”
@ Rana
First check with TX. drivers license department. Getting a waiver for interstate driving is different than intra-state. You may find that you fail the DOT/FMCSA physical, but are approved by the state to drive intra-state. One of the states we have dealt with wanted the physical done, have the driver fail the test due to vision, and then the state approved the driver for intra-state only.
I cannot get the form to download.
@ Robert P
Check with your state and see if they have the problem fixed.
What kind of drug and alcohol screening can I expect from the state of Texas dot medical examination.
@ Jt
Check with Texas DLD for your best answer. FMCSA medical examiners do not test for drugs and alcohol during the medical examination. They do test urine for sugar, blood, and protein. Your employer will test you for drugs and alcohol. They are two separate issues.
Why are they not extending physical requirements to renew your dot with the coronavirus why are we sending drivers to doctors and clinics to renew at this time. You are putting all drivers at risk
@ Joyce F
The states are doing what they can and are extending grace periods for cdl’s. Federal DOT has not, to date, extended medical certification expiration. It’s federal DOT/FMCSA that will need to update their present rulings.
Update March 24: FMCSA has issued a Notice and a Waiver allowing a grace period for expired medical cards during the COVID-19 national emergency.
Do I need to go to dnv office, after I get my CDL medical certificate renewed.Or can I fax/ email copy in the state of Texas
@ Charlie
You can fax or email a pdf copy to DPS. See details on this page.
What is the blood pressure requirement for DOT physical in Texas
@ Margery T
140/90 or lower. If you are taking blood pressure medication it’s still 140/90 or lower, but your medical card will be for one year at the time.
Is there a rule on renewing your medical card early?
@ David
No.
My med card expires July 10. My appointment to do the physical is the 8th if i fax it in that day am i good. I saw where it can take up to 20 days to process??
@ Jennifer
Each state is different, so check with your state’s DLD.
Take to DMV fill form out while your there 10.00 and it’s entered instantly, 👍