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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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If you have an up-to-date DOT card but are applying for another job and they make you take a new DOT test will void the old card if you fail
@ Joseph E S
For a class A medical, if the information from the failed examination is input to the registry, then it voids the existing medical card.
If my CDL is downgraded, how long after I submit my medical certificate via email (I have had it since last year) will it take DPS to upgrade my license back to commercial?
@ Donnie W
That will be a question, best answered, by your local drivers license department
I was not notified that my medical card was expired. Is there any grace period in the state of Texas?
@ Kenneth C
Nope. TX DLD is not responsible to notify you about your medical card or your drivers license, that all falls to you. Go get the medical examination and get the copy to TX DLD ASAP. You may be OK.
You have 60 days.
My husband failed the DOT physical with high blood pressure. He has to get it under control we know, but how do we proceed with his license? Does he need to go to the DPS? Can we get a second opinion?
@ Alice G
You can always get a second opinion, if you disagree with the initial findings. CDL’s are a state related document, so you may need to check with DPS for guidance in their process.
My wife had to have emergency back surgery out of the USA and is still unable to travel back home and her Medical card is due next month. She should be home soon but will not pass the medical part of her CDL for at least two months . How can she receive an examination so she doesn’t lose her CDL.
@ Patrick H
Get in touch with your local drivers license department and explain the situation. They will have a process in place that will be your best answer. Then follow their process.
How can I get a copy of a old drivers license are paper license with my hazmat endorsement on it. I’m trying to get it back on my license. I just some kind of documentation showing that I had it on my license. Thanks I’m in Texas
@ Jarvis T
Your local (DLD) drivers license department should have it on record. Confirm with them.
If I take hydrocodine can I drive a school bus
@ Tim
May be best to check with your local drivers license department.
If I took my dot exam for the medical card 6 days before it expires what happens if the system doesn’t update my information when my old medical card expires ? Do I loose my license ???
@ Ronald
No, most states have a short grace period for just this situation.