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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! —
Please leave your feedback about your experience in this State.
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I have had a class A cdl in Texas since 78. In 2000 I retired from trucking but still have my cdl. I really dont need a cdl anymore, so can I just downgrade to class C?
I believe that is the case. Just check with your DMV to determine the proper procedures to make that move.
I been out of the states for 2 months and I havent been able to get there I will be there in march what happens if i send all my paper work after jan 31st?
@Jonathan
The consequences for not certifying by the deadline, or not updating DMV with your renewed medical card, differ from state to state. Some states have a grace period, some charge a reinstatement fee, some require retesting.
Looks like in Texas you are SOL! We just looked up the information for you on the Texas DPS website.
Refer to question: What if I do not provide the DL office with my self-certification and my medical examiner’s certificate with any required variance document, if required, by January 30, 2014?
Texas DPS answer: The Department will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate/Intrastate commerce and will remove all your CDL privileges from your license. If you are downgraded in January 2014, you will receive a new Class C license in the mail. After that date, you must visit your local DL Office to receive a new license. Please note if your CDL is downgraded to a Class C you must retake all CDL written and driving test to reestablish your CDL.
[insert expletive here] Sorry. Please don’t shoot the messenger.
Ok I’ve had my CDL since I was 16 when I work for a Car dealer… so It says in Texas that if you had your CDL before I believe 1996 you were grandfather in for no medical card, if you only drive interstate, so what goes now the state you live in or national rules..
Went and took care of mine yesterday. As long as you go up to the local dps and file today before 5pm you will be in the system. They are back logged in Austin with over 150k drivers. Going to take a year to get everyone processed.
@Erick
Thanks for the helpful feedback Erick.
I faxed all my stuff in to the state back in December. Got a letter yesterday saying category I selected does not match my DL on file. I have to take a day off from work to hopefully clear this up. Do you know if I get this cleared up tomorrow will it have time to make jan 30th deadline? Thanks in advance for info.
@Erick
Can’t assure you of anything since we are not affiliated with the DMV or any agencies.
Get it in tomorrow, and that’s the best you can do.
We’ll be watching out for, and report any information / (January 30th) deadline changes because the situation seems quite chaotic across many states.
Just curious is a medical card required if only operate in the state of Texas I know it was not require before did they change that?
once I have sent all the required documentation how do I know they have received them is there a #ph I can call to enquire this matter..
please advise
@Xavier
You don’t say if you have already sent in your documentation or not.
We don’t know of a number to call and inquire.
Most States are sending letters to drivers who are not yet in the system, so you should get a letter if there is a problem.
If you haven’t yet sent in your information, your best bet at this stage is to email in your documents, or fax them in. Keep email or fax proof that you sent them.
you to fax cdlmedical cards in so loose only thing i have and never get thur
guess i’m sol but feds state of texas doesn’t every care I stuck in charlotta ,nc
in damn motle wanting to come home in my big rig if driver it I go to jail this
is bs day january 14 2014 my time is up still cann’t get thur austin to hq txdps
my lic are cann’t stop them from can my lively hood .