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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 thinking about applying for my CDL. I have a concern with the medical, my right leg is shorter the my left and my foot turns in when I walk. This does not hinder me from driving a regular vehicle but was wondering if I would be failed on the medical evaluation for this issue.
@Steve
Without seeing your specific condition, it’s hard to say. But if you are not having any difficulties driving a standard vehicle then you may not run into any issues. Most likely the worst thing that would happen is that the DOT examiner would have you take a special skills test to determine what, if any, limitations you may have.
You will not fail because of that.
My current medical card expires on 07/16/14 . I took my DOT exam on the 6th of June and passed except I have to get a stress test preformed by my doctor , who is on vacation . The doctor”s office told me it could be preformed in late July. My company put me on the down board because of this even though I have a current medical card . my question is , can I get a temporary card.
@Robert
The way the FMCSA regulations read is you needed to take a copy of your most recent stress test with you.
But since most drivers didn’t know about this, you might be able to talk with the DOT examiner. Explain your situation and he may give you a 90 day card. Not a promise, just a logical explaination for your situation.
Texas how long it’s take to put medical card on record
@ Noe Torres
I emailed my card to them, a copy of it in PDF format as they state to send it. I received an email confirmation that they received it and updated it. So I would assume it’s as soon as they get it they “call it good” at the very least. I received the confirmation email a couple days after I emailed the card to them.
Hi, my father is a truck driver for TDCJ for the last 22 years and he went to have his DOT physical and was told they could not renew due to his heart defibulator. His license is good until mid-August so he is still driving but I’ve seen in various other states they offer waivers. These waivers state that if the device has not been alarmed in 6 months they grant the waiver. My father has had it since 2003 and never had anything happen, so does Texas have a similar program?
@Kally
My best advice here is to check with the Texas DPS to determine if there is such a thing for your dad.
Trying to get my medical card to drive but was denied because I had blood in my urine that isn’t detectable by the naked eye. Told to get an mri by my doctor but who has the money without insurance and out of work. Is it true that they can deny me because of the blood. Couldn’t that be something that could be checked out after I get back to work. What does blood in urine have to do with driving a truck?
@David
Blood in your urine is an indicator that there is a problem.
You should have yourself checked out by a urologist long before you have an MRI. It may be nearly nothing or it can be serious. Proper testing will answer the questions. But an MRI first? Get it checked out first then follow your doctors recommendations.
Thanks for your reply but I still don’t understand why I can’t get my card to drive. I could understand if it was something to do with my heart and I might would have a heart attack while driving and cause an accident. But this is just unseen blood in my urine. I passed every other part of the physical and this could be cleared up after I go back to work. I can’t understand how blood in my urine would affect my ability to drive or cause any danger to the public if I went back to driving while I was having it checked out by a urologist. Even a temporary 3 month card would give me the chance to go back to work while having it checked out but they wouldn’t even give me that.
@David
I don’t understand why you can’t get a three month card so you can get this condition checked out and still be working.
So ask the examiner for his line of reasoning for no 90 day medical card. That’s my only suggestion at this point.
Who or where can I get a PHONE # so I can call and see where/ what the statics my Health Card is at.
I sent it off three weeks ago!!! I need to get to work????
@Mark
See the information above. We’ve added a link to a page on Texas DPS that lets you look up the address and phone number of a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement office by city.
Hope this helps.
if the form was returned for the self certification but haven’t heard anything what do I do
I went in for a recertification for my dot cdl medical card and was only given a 3 month certification. The doctor said this was due to my high bmi and the circumference of my neck which he says should be 16 inches and lower for a woman. Mine was 16 1/4 inch. He stated because the results that this indicated a high risk of me falling asleep behind the wheel. He advised me that I would have 3 months to complete a sleep study for sleep apnea. Is this true? Back in 2012 when I went for the first time for my dot cdl medical card and my neck was not measured. Nor was my bmi a problem. My weight remains the same as the last time. Please help me with my question. Provide for me a website that shows this is a new requirement for dot physicals.
@Roxanna
The simplest answer to your question is NO, it’s not true.
This issue is coming up a lot. Refer to our FAQ on sleep disorders for more information.
Just ask the examiner to show you the law/regulation. There isn’t one. There is a lot of misinformation being spread around by people and organizations that stand to profit from telling the same old story over and over.
Just politely ask: “Show me the regulation / law?”