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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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Do have to get a sleep study to keep my Heath card
@ Robert B
No, unless you present with a multitude of signs and symptoms of OSA. DOT/FMCSA never made a sleep study mandatory based on any ONE thing.
In the state of Texas, if your driver’s license is downgraded to a class c from my class a CDL due to failing to take your physical Will you be able to get the CDL back or do you have to go to school to get your CDL now?
@ Sheila V
Only Texas DLD can answer this question best for you.
Sheila I went through this same thing about a year ago with them. mine had downgraded to class c from an A. Many of the DLD office locations are uneducated to the new protocol but if you were a past licensed holder you do not need schooling again. I fought that very same question with many branch offices and Austin Texas had to call and straighten the branch offices out. All you have to do is go do your general knowledge over again pay your fees and then take your road exam and pay your fees. But be aware the old licensing that we used to go through some of the questions are different and for sure the pre-trip post trip is much more difficult. make sure you study.
I do not have cdl.. just doing hot shot loads .. where do i send my medical card after getting it done?
@ ctx
Check with your state DLD. Some states do not require any notification, but confirm this with your drivers license department.
Hello, I have a CDL in Texas and I recently renewed my medical card out of state. I’ve faxed over the new one to Texas DPS but they have not updated it on my status. If the one in file expires, do I lose my driving privileges until the new one is scanned in? Or Is there a grace period to turn it in while still having driving privileges and staying DOT-compliant? Thank!
@ Manuel S
This will be best answered by TX. drivers license department. Best if you can take a hard copy to the local DLD and make sure they got it in the system.
Hello my question is both my CDL and med card expired but it only a few weeks past expiration on both. And in Texas there a two year grace on DL so can I go renew my med card even though my CDL is expired it just needs renewed
@ Chriss F
For a class A, it will be difficult to get the medical certification examination without a valid cdl.
I am 70 years old and have CDL Interstate since CDL was introduced . I have a medical card . My question is I only drive about 100 miles a year helping farmer get crops from field to farm storage or local grain elevator, both less than 10 miles each way. Do I need to renew my med. card when I change my status to intrastate
@ Gary D R
This is a state license related question and will be best answered by your drivers license department (DLD).
How do you prove driving “regularly “ before Aug 1989 to be eligible for CDL-5 part A ?
@ Mark
Your questions will be best answered by your local DLD.
Is there a website where I can check to see if my medical card is valid.
@ Jeffrey J
Check with your local drivers license department (DLD).