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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…
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My work is now requiring me to have a DOT medical card as I occasionally two small generators with my 2500 work truck even though I do not have a CDL. I have a medical marijuana card for the state of Texas. Can I get the DOT health card if I test positive for marijuana but have a legal medical card?
Thanks.
@ Dave S
You fall under your states regulations and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Your question will be best answered by your local drivers license department (DLD).
I’m retired now but I still have my Cdl. What can I do if I’m not active? Do I still need my physical card or can I go inactive till I get ready to work again?
@ William B
Most state require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Confirm with your local drivers license department (DLD) for any exceptions.
I work full time driving school buses. On weekends I have a job driving a Motor Coach Bus. Both require a DOT medical physical. Since covid my Motor coach company let me use my DOT medical card from the school district. They just this week ask me to come get a form to go get my DOT medical physical done. For the ISD one I go July 24th. If I go the 24th and the Motor coach company shortly thereafter or vice versa doesn’t taking the 2nd one make the 1 st one invalid? I told them that is what I thought that it would invalidate the 1st one if I did that. That told me no it doesnt.
@ Cindy D
Everything will depend on the class cdl you carry. Federal DOT/FMCSA wants to control all class A interstate drivers and the CME has to follow the federal guidelines and regulations. Less class or intra-state only, fall under the states rules and regs. The CME should know both sets of rules and regs.
I got my original med card that was good for two years when I started CDL school, and then a couple months later I was hired by a large company that required another one. It is only good for a year, but I wasn’t really told what to do with it so now that I’m out and working, I don’t know what I should do. Which one is valid and now the last one is about 6 months old and I’m wondering what I was supposed to do??
@ Krista J
First question, Why a one year card when you had a two year card? The newest medical card is the only valid card in your possession. Based on why you received a one year card, you will need to renew before it expires and get a copy to your company and your local drivers license department.
In the state of Texas do I have to submit my updated DOT medical card with the CDL-4 form? If so, do I have to get the CDL-4 form notarized?
@ Rick
Best answer will come from your local drivers license department. This is not a federal issue.
My medical card expires april 27 2024 im class a cdl driver do i hqve any grace period for renewal cdl texas lisc3nse holder?
@ Jesus g
Not really. Get your physical done NOW and get a copy to TX. DLD Now and you will be OK.
I renewed my medical card 10 days before it expired and the system didnt update my information so now 3 months later after renewing its saying i dont have a medical card whenever i do have on up to date what should i do ?
@ Adam
You may need to walk a copy into your local DLD and have it updated in their system.
Hell my name is Mark Dejohn I was in prison when my Dot card expired I was in there for 2yrd my license is down graded back class c from class a what do I need to do. Do I have to take the test over I was in prison July 2021-4/2023.hopely it’s not to late. To get my class A back.
@ Mark D
Your cdl is a state issued document and has its own requirements, which are separate from DOT/FMCSA. Your best answer is going to come from your local DLD.
What is the form that needs to be filled out by your physician if you have a disability(epilepsy) and where can I get get it?
@ Laurie
Refer to MC-PSP. Best to go to FMCSA.DOT.GOV and type in exemption form epilepsy. The form is in a pdf file and has all the basic requirements for the exemption.
Should read: NEW Seizure 01252021.pdf (177.56 KB)
DOT medical card will expire in 2 weeks I recently had surgery and can not go for a DOT physical for 2 months. How can I keep my CDL and endorsements?
@ Ellen B
In most cases, contact your local DLD and explain your situation. They will have a process in place for just such situations. Then follow their guidelines.