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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…
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I am not applying for a CDL license but the company I am inquiring requires I take a DOT exam. What are the rules for getting a DOT card if I do not nor will I have/get a CDL license.
@Jerry
If you will be operating a vehicle that weighs more than 10,001 lbs. or is being used for commerce, then you need medical certificate. Not a cdl, just a medical certificate to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
My medicable card expierd may4 but i havent renewed my medicable card do i have a grace piriod to register the needs one or iam going to be down graded
@Isidro
You’ll need to check with Texas DPS if they have a grace period.
If not driving a truck for the next year or two, do I (or can) I get a card when I start back to driving. Do I need to keep a current medicial card even though I am not driving?
@Kenneth
Texas regulations state that you need a medical card for both interstate and intrastate, so you can’t even get around this by changing the category of commerce you self-certify.
If you don’t have a medical card you will be downgraded to non-CDL. You may have to test again when you reapply to get upgraded.
Check with your local DPS to be sure.
IS THERE A PLACE TO FIND OUT IF A CDL IS STILL ACTIVE OR BEEN REVOKED DUE TO DIABETES? ALMOST 3 MONTHS AGO WENT IN FOR RANDOM AND WAS TOLD THAT TESTED FOR DIABETES AND HAD A PERIOD OF TIME TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL AND ON THE PROPER MADS ANDTHEN GO BACK AND GET A MED CARD RENUED HOWEVER NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT WAS REVOKED BECAUSE OF BLOOD SUGER LEVELS DURING ANOTHER RANDOM THAT WAS JUST TAKEN 3 DAYS AGO
@Alyssa
There is no such thing as a random test that looks for sugar in your urine. So I have no idea about your testing.
To find out about your license, you’ll need to call your DMV in your home state and check with them.
One of my drivers med card expired on 5-3-2014, which was Saturday. I called him and told him he was not legal to haul Monday, even though it fell on a Saturday.
I can get him in and out on Monday morning, but for future reference, if it falls on a weekend does he have until midnight the following workday?
@Gary
By law the medical card expires at midnight, on the date of experation. There is no grace period. So you may be taking a chance and put your drivers license at risk.
Doctors often will issue temporary medical cards for CDL holders that need additional attention for various reasons like high blood pressure etc.
Question: For Texas CDL Drivers, Is there a limit on the days from expiration for new medical cards for recertification purposes? 60 days? 90 days?
@Dane
It’s real easy. At midnight of the date on your medical certificate, you now have an expired medical card. So if the card was for 30 days, that’s all you have.
I sent in (by fax) to austin my cert affidavit and checked box 4. How long does it take to know when I dont have it.
I currently have a cdl license but not a driver at the moment in another field of work that doesnt require me to use my license was I also required to summit a Dot medical record in and if so what option do I have to keep my cdl license
@ Jesse
It seems pretty easy. No medical card, no class A drivers license. This is true in most states. There are a couple of states that are allowing class A drivers to maintain their license without a medical card. Check with your state and see if they are one. If not, get a new medical card or give up your class A and downgrade to a standard license.