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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…
To help us all avoid the black eye experience — AARGH! —
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can you drive with a pace maker
@Thomas
As long as there is not a defibrillator unit in it then you should be good to go. One year medical card at the time.
I have class A Cdl .they don’t expire until 2016.Do I have to have a physical now? Are do I have to have a physical before I can renew them?
@Jackie
If you have a CDL, and you are not classified Exempt, you must have a current DOT medical card, or DMV will downgrade your driver’s license. You must send a copy of your medical card and self-certification form to your state DMV to keep on file with your driver’s license record.
At my job a lot of my co workers medical card was fax to Austin TX later on a few of us gotna letter that we had no medical card on file after we got confirmation that it was received would that be our fault if our job submitted it And later find out our license was down graded to class C.
I have a question, I am applying for Class B License to drive RV Motor Home 26,001 LBS
Is medical card required
@Clyde
Each state is different, so check with your state.
Here in my home state of Utah it is mandatory.
I have my CDL from Texas and I have not drive since July 01/13 ,my question is do I need to send the medical certificate to the DPS to keep my CDL even if I’m not working or using my CDL..?
I appreciate any info that anybody can help with.
Thank you.
@ D. Ramsey
Most likely yes, you must keep a copy of a current medical certificate on file with Texas DPS updated with your CDL record, otherwise DPS will downgrade you to a non-CDL.
Check with DPS to see if they’ll allow you to certify in a non-exempt status, until you are ready to drive again.
For more information see “Tip – Not driving but want to keep your CDL”, at the end of this blog post New FMCSA medical certificate requirements.
I have my medical card, I got my CDL this May, 2014… Do I still have to submit this or is it already in the database being I obtained my cdl after Jan. 2014? I’ve had somebody tell me I have until Jan. 2015 but I have no idea? Please lmk
Thanks!
I actually just looked at the Self Certification Affidavit document and I do remember filling that paper out while it was in the process of getting my CDL… So in that case, I should be all set, correct?
Is there a grace period once my medical card expires before I have to obtain a new one? I’m usually in the road and have a hard time finding a place to get a new DOT MEdical Card.
@Anastacio
Medical card goes invalid at midnight of the expiration date on the card. No grace period.
Also – your CDL record, at the drivers license department, has a copy of your medical card record, and if expired, your CDL is in danger of being downgraded.
Best to get a new DOT physical done a few weeks before the expiration date, and not play Russian Roulette with your CDL.
We created DOTPhysicalDoctors website, so you can find driver friendly doctors throughout the United States. Good Luck
My med card expired a couple months ago. I have a Texas CDL but have been up in North Dakota for a little bit working. I’m not currently driving a CDL required vehicle. When I get my new med card in a couple weeks, will my License still be valid?
I didn’t even know about this “rule” until sometime in June. I sent my medical certification to the State of Texas by email. They accepted it and updated my record to show that I had the medical certification card. Now, I recently went to change my address on my license because I moved and received a letter stating my current medical card will expire soon. Not sure if that means they plan to not send me my license or what. Could just be coincidence the letter came when it did. But I should have my license long before my medical card expires and with plenty of time to go get a new medical card. If they are trying to claim I need to go get a new one first, then send it all in and then they will send my license that is just crapola, and the State or FMCSA should have to pay for the new medical certification cards if they need to be done that much in advance of their expiration dates.
I payed for a medical card one year ago, it is good for two years I registered it. Shortly after that I got a job an they sent me to get new card that was only good for a year and they registered that and it will expire soon. I took the original”the first card to dmv tx and registered it.Will that be sufficient in providing proof of eligibility? Has me worried greatly that I may get a license cancellation in the mail
@Jim
All this now depends on time frames and reporting processes.
First card was good for two years and then a one year card. Why? What changed?
Next – If the second card was issued after May 21, 2014 then your medical card will expire in one year according to FMCSA records.
The state has its own set of rules and records. So your original 2-year card is what may still be in the system. Just check with your DMV, they can tell you what is going on. I doubt that they will over-ride a two year card because of a new one, but I would question it and not assume anything.
So my husband has just taken his dot physical in Texas and last year he was given a three month card for blood pressure and we got that under control. We just went and know they are saying his bmi was above 35 he has to have a sleep apnea test done before he can get a renewal. The problem is his medical card expires in 7 days
What do we have to do to not have his licensed downgraded. Can you get a temporary card to do the sleep apnea test
@ Stephanie
Go for a second opinion else where. No new rules regarding BMI and neck measurements.
I would assume the answer to that would be no. Reason being, you knowingly knew you got a new card for one year. The reason you got the card for one year instead of two is for health reasons which could ultimately render you ineligible to operate a CMV. You should have been honest and forthcoming when you sent your medical card. Unless you had already sent the two year card and just didn’t send the new one year card you have. If you haven’t sent it in yet, you should so they can update their records. That is kind of the reason they have the database now. To stop the ones who are driving without it, and those who are not telling the truth about their health status to avoid disqualification.
If it was only for one year, that was likely because of a pre-existing condition, or as in some clinics cases, greed. However, the most recently updated medical card will be the one you will need to maintain.
I am thinking about applying for my CDL. I have a concern with the medical, my right leg is shorter the my left and my foot turns in when I walk. This does not hinder me from driving a regular vehicle but was wondering if I would be failed on the medical evaluation for this issue.
@Steve
Without seeing your specific condition, it’s hard to say. But if you are not having any difficulties driving a standard vehicle then you may not run into any issues. Most likely the worst thing that would happen is that the DOT examiner would have you take a special skills test to determine what, if any, limitations you may have.
You will not fail because of that.
My current medical card expires on 07/16/14 . I took my DOT exam on the 6th of June and passed except I have to get a stress test preformed by my doctor , who is on vacation . The doctor”s office told me it could be preformed in late July. My company put me on the down board because of this even though I have a current medical card . my question is , can I get a temporary card.
@Robert
The way the FMCSA regulations read is you needed to take a copy of your most recent stress test with you.
But since most drivers didn’t know about this, you might be able to talk with the DOT examiner. Explain your situation and he may give you a 90 day card. Not a promise, just a logical explaination for your situation.
Texas how long it’s take to put medical card on record
@ Noe Torres
I emailed my card to them, a copy of it in PDF format as they state to send it. I received an email confirmation that they received it and updated it. So I would assume it’s as soon as they get it they “call it good” at the very least. I received the confirmation email a couple days after I emailed the card to them.
Hi, my father is a truck driver for TDCJ for the last 22 years and he went to have his DOT physical and was told they could not renew due to his heart defibulator. His license is good until mid-August so he is still driving but I’ve seen in various other states they offer waivers. These waivers state that if the device has not been alarmed in 6 months they grant the waiver. My father has had it since 2003 and never had anything happen, so does Texas have a similar program?
@Kally
My best advice here is to check with the Texas DPS to determine if there is such a thing for your dad.
Trying to get my medical card to drive but was denied because I had blood in my urine that isn’t detectable by the naked eye. Told to get an mri by my doctor but who has the money without insurance and out of work. Is it true that they can deny me because of the blood. Couldn’t that be something that could be checked out after I get back to work. What does blood in urine have to do with driving a truck?
@David
Blood in your urine is an indicator that there is a problem.
You should have yourself checked out by a urologist long before you have an MRI. It may be nearly nothing or it can be serious. Proper testing will answer the questions. But an MRI first? Get it checked out first then follow your doctors recommendations.
Thanks for your reply but I still don’t understand why I can’t get my card to drive. I could understand if it was something to do with my heart and I might would have a heart attack while driving and cause an accident. But this is just unseen blood in my urine. I passed every other part of the physical and this could be cleared up after I go back to work. I can’t understand how blood in my urine would affect my ability to drive or cause any danger to the public if I went back to driving while I was having it checked out by a urologist. Even a temporary 3 month card would give me the chance to go back to work while having it checked out but they wouldn’t even give me that.
@David
I don’t understand why you can’t get a three month card so you can get this condition checked out and still be working.
So ask the examiner for his line of reasoning for no 90 day medical card. That’s my only suggestion at this point.
Who or where can I get a PHONE # so I can call and see where/ what the statics my Health Card is at.
I sent it off three weeks ago!!! I need to get to work????
@Mark
See the information above. We’ve added a link to a page on Texas DPS that lets you look up the address and phone number of a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement office by city.
Hope this helps.
if the form was returned for the self certification but haven’t heard anything what do I do
I went in for a recertification for my dot cdl medical card and was only given a 3 month certification. The doctor said this was due to my high bmi and the circumference of my neck which he says should be 16 inches and lower for a woman. Mine was 16 1/4 inch. He stated because the results that this indicated a high risk of me falling asleep behind the wheel. He advised me that I would have 3 months to complete a sleep study for sleep apnea. Is this true? Back in 2012 when I went for the first time for my dot cdl medical card and my neck was not measured. Nor was my bmi a problem. My weight remains the same as the last time. Please help me with my question. Provide for me a website that shows this is a new requirement for dot physicals.
@Roxanna
The simplest answer to your question is NO, it’s not true.
This issue is coming up a lot. Refer to our FAQ on sleep disorders for more information.
Just ask the examiner to show you the law/regulation. There isn’t one. There is a lot of misinformation being spread around by people and organizations that stand to profit from telling the same old story over and over.
Just politely ask: “Show me the regulation / law?”
I am not applying for a CDL license but the company I am inquiring requires I take a DOT exam. What are the rules for getting a DOT card if I do not nor will I have/get a CDL license.
@Jerry
If you will be operating a vehicle that weighs more than 10,001 lbs. or is being used for commerce, then you need medical certificate. Not a cdl, just a medical certificate to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
My medicable card expierd may4 but i havent renewed my medicable card do i have a grace piriod to register the needs one or iam going to be down graded
@Isidro
You’ll need to check with Texas DPS if they have a grace period.
If not driving a truck for the next year or two, do I (or can) I get a card when I start back to driving. Do I need to keep a current medicial card even though I am not driving?
@Kenneth
Texas regulations state that you need a medical card for both interstate and intrastate, so you can’t even get around this by changing the category of commerce you self-certify.
If you don’t have a medical card you will be downgraded to non-CDL. You may have to test again when you reapply to get upgraded.
Check with your local DPS to be sure.
IS THERE A PLACE TO FIND OUT IF A CDL IS STILL ACTIVE OR BEEN REVOKED DUE TO DIABETES? ALMOST 3 MONTHS AGO WENT IN FOR RANDOM AND WAS TOLD THAT TESTED FOR DIABETES AND HAD A PERIOD OF TIME TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL AND ON THE PROPER MADS ANDTHEN GO BACK AND GET A MED CARD RENUED HOWEVER NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT WAS REVOKED BECAUSE OF BLOOD SUGER LEVELS DURING ANOTHER RANDOM THAT WAS JUST TAKEN 3 DAYS AGO
@Alyssa
There is no such thing as a random test that looks for sugar in your urine. So I have no idea about your testing.
To find out about your license, you’ll need to call your DMV in your home state and check with them.