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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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My med dot card expires on Aug 13, 2022…. Is there a grace period to get it renewed here in Texas
@ Chris P
You have a grace period until the end os August via DOT/FMCSA.
Can I drive 45 days after my cdl medical card exp, for the state of texas
@ Demont M B
You may be ticketed for no medical card by TX DOT or federal DOT. There is no grace. Once card expires, you are expected to have a new medical examination and get the results to your state. Your state may then allow a 45 day grace period while your information is input to the states data base.
I’m currently in Arizona Texas class a CDL needing to add my medical card when I do this online do I need to also send and $11 as well for this to be added to my drivers license
@ Marcus D
This is a state related question and will be best answered by your cdl’s state drivers license department.
I passed everything for my medical card except walking heel to toe. I’m looking through bifocals, so I didn’t walk straight enough for doctor. So he failed me. When did they start doing heel to toe? I’ve been driving legally since 2002 and since 1985 without a CDL.
@ Jerry
The heel/toe walk has always been in the DOT/FMCSA class A drivers medical certification examination. Most examiners have found other ways to determine possible spinal cord lesions. It appears that the examiner has interpreted the guidelines in a very strict manner. Go elsewhere and get a second opinion.
If my med card expires today, how long do I have in Texas to renew? Help me please!!!
I Samoan and we know for being heavy! Few years ago they thought the same way so they have me take a sleep test and I pass. And they still try to put me on a sleep machine. At this point I argue with them and they let me due to it was about money by the end of the day. So wasn’t a good experience. Renew after a year no problem pass all my physical and granted for a 2 years Medical Card. Same thing. Now I went In for a 2nd renew I pass everything again and this time they pressure me to get my result from 3 years ago for sleep test or go through the test process to get my medical card issue. Doesn’t make any sense, cause I was always posted over weight in the scale all this years and I pass the test. I feel like this is a money grab how can I get my Madical Card renew without this non sense?
@ Saifoloi A
It seems to be a money grab. DOT/FMCSA only require a sleep study be done when there are a multitude of signs and symptoms. Over weight/BMI and neck size are only 2 possibilities of many. Either fight it or go else where for a second opinion.
You can get a second opinion on a med card for sleep apnea study? T
hey are pushing the same thing on me but I sleep fine no issues. It threatens my livelihood because I don’t have medical insurance for the whole process.
@ Tonka
If you sleep well, then go get a second opinion.
My DOTMEDICAL CARD EXPIRED JULY 30,CAN I FILE FOR AN EXTENTION
@ Benny
No need, DOT/FMCSA has extended your grace period to the end of August. So you have time to go get it done, now.
I have a cdl A and my medical card expires on 8-2 I’m on short term disability for a heart surgery in august. I’m in Texas and need my job. It might be a few weeks late but I’ll get another medical card. Will I have to do. All the testing again?
@ Rd
DOT/FMCSA have extended their grace period to the end of August, for now. And given your situation, it would be highly unlikely you will need to redo all the testing for your class A.
My CDL Got down graded to ah Class-C because of my medical card not been on file. Due to My Doctor not sending it in. “AND HE STILL CHARGED ME $10” LOL.
Will I have to do medical exam again. Because my medical card is good till 6/23. Or can I just go to DMV And present it.
@ Isaac G
Just take the medical card down to your local drivers license department and follow their process. Lesson learned; do the medical card and drivers license department yourself, others may fail to do it for you.
My medical card expired on 12/23/23, I can’t get an appointment until 1/17/23, will my license be downgraded, if so what do I need to do to upgrade it?
@ Cody
Most states are running a few days to weeks behind on getting your information into their system. Most likely they will not downgrade your cdl. Get the examination done ASAP and get a copy to your local DLD same day if possible.
If I didn’t pass my physical at one place can i go to another place to see if i cold pass or does it stay on record that I didn’t pass
@ Felix g
You can always request a second opinion elsewhere.