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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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am from Texas my medical card expires in 2-21-2019 and am off of work due to work related injured can they down grade my CDL due to being under a doctors care my license expire in about 5 years how does it work , before my license expire or medical card needs to be renew before it expires just worried cause getting ready to go through surgery just wondering , and tips.
@ Marcos V
Since you are out with injuries, your medical card is invalid, that being said, the state is unaware of your situation. Just get a new medical examination card when you are fully recovered and turn it in to the state, then you’ll be fine.
My husband’s medical card will expire in April 2019. He will be working out of our state of Texas from September 2018 to June 2019. Can he renew the medical card just before he leaves instead of in April?
@ JV
He can renew his medical certification card anywhere. It is a federal certification and is accepted by all states, provided the examiners are on the national registry.
in 2015 our company merged with another. i did not renew my medical card. as of june 15 2018 i have a new medical dot card. is my cdl license still valid after turning in my medical card to the dps department.
@ joe V
You need to check with your local drivers license department for the answer.
When you click on the CDL-7 download it takes you to a bad link.
I renewed my medical card at the end of March and was not told to take a copy to the DMV and it totaled slipped my mind. What’s going to happen to my license now?
@ Steven D
Your local drivers license department will give you the best advice.
I’m supposed to get my dot physical by the 28th of this month. I broke my leg last month and won’t pass the physical. What do i do?
@ Michael J P
You take the medical examination when you can pass it. If the question is regarding your cdl license, then check with your local driver license department for your states rules.
I just got my medical exam renewal. The practitioner gave me the completed ‘medical examiner determination’ sheet to send into DOT instead of the actual certificate. Is it okay to just send the determination sheet instead of the certificate?
@ Andre
Most, not all, only want a copy of the medical certificate card. And some states require the full examination findings. So check with your states drivers license department for your specific requirements.
Can we reduce the medical form and laminate it so it doesn’t get destroyed in a wallet? It is still readable.
@ Lynn
DOT must be able to read everything on the medical card with the naked eye. Most offices are using a tri-fold lamented card which meets the DOT’s standards. Just make sure you have a copy of the card as it came to you too.
I am from Texas. And have a cdl but my medical card expires soon and am out of the states How many days would I have to send a new one in after it expires And if it expires will it be downgraded? And the dps and. DMV will never answer the phone plz help
@Arturo
Even if you are out of state, you can get your DOT physical examination done by a certified medical examiner in any state so you don’t have to wait until you get back home.
The details for sending in your new medical certificate to Texas DPS are on this page.
I have a CDL class b for bus driver. It expired in August however my medical examiner card is valid. Can I just renew or will I have to retest ??
@ Steph
Drivers license is different than medical card. You will need to check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
I have a TEXAS CLASS B CDL It was changed about 15-20 years ago when renewing license to having a “P” restriction and they dropped my HAZ MAT Endorsement because I wasn’t driving a truck at time. Texas DOT said this way I could keep my CLASS B and that I could be that far ahead if I ever needed it again. I may be getting back into driving like a (cement truck, dump truck or Commercial delivery van or Bobtail Truck) on the road. What do I need to do to get things rolling on this so I am legal?
@Charles
You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department for this information.
Hello my husband recently got downgrade for not renewing his medical card in time if he renews it will he be upgraded back to his cdl???
.was he able to get he’s cdl back with out taking all the test all over again ? mine is about to expire and I would like to know
I am in somewhat the same boat. I have a current medical card issues in WA state have moved here two years ago. I have never let it laps yet forgot to send in copy to TX. they have down graded me. does anyone know if I can just send in prof that I have been current for reenstatement?
@ Dace McC
You really need to check with Texas DMV for the best answer.
Thanks for your response. the problem with this is that they are almost impossible to contact over the phone. I’ve left a number of emails too, yet no response. Man this could really effect my livelyhood.
In texas you need to contact DPS for driver license questions not DMV, (they do vehicles only). DPS # 512-424-2601
If your Medical card go out and they downgraded your license you have to test again to get it upgraded again . That is what I was told from the DPS office in Houston .
A friend was downgraded due to his medical cert not getting turned in on time. He has been on the phone with Texas DPS for several months. They keep telling him it’s up to the review board. His license was suspended… not down graded. He can’t hold any job as he has no license to drive. This is crazy. How long can they hang someone’s livelihood up???
@ Danna
Go higher up the supervisor chain at the DPS. There is no reason for the holdup.
I live in texas and am going to work for Tx- DOT I have a current class A license and medical card do I have to keep the medical card up to date ?
I quit driving a commercial vehicle 8 months ago. I still work for the trucking company as a recruiter but drive a car. My dot physical is coming due. I want to keep my cdl but do I still have to keep a medical card?
@Darrell
Yes, in order to keep your CDL you must have a current/valid medical card on file with your drivers license.
You can keep your CDL until it expires but cannot drive in a commercial capacity without a medical card.
I have obstructive sleep apnea, I didn’t understand the importance of using it until now I’m cerious, what is the number of days and approximate usage hours I need to show on my yearly data record in order to pass D.O.T Tx physical
@ TX Bus Driver
The most effective treatment is 7 or more hours of CPAP use during sleep.
The Medical Expert Panel’s minimum recommended compliance is:
4 hours of CPAP sleep per day
70% or more days.
Your company/carrier is allowed to impose stricter standards than those recommended by the Medical Review Board.
Some companies are requiring at least 6 hours of CPAP use, 80% of days.
My medical card expired on march 11, 2017 I just got a new one, what do I need to to now, I’m not in Texas st the moment! Do I need to go or can I still fax over my medical card or do I need to go there in person?
@Vicky
Contact your local drivers license department. Your license may have been downgraded and there may be more to the process than just updating your medical certification.
I went ti go get my med card on June 4 2017 but was unsuccessful all because i lost my glasses. I get a new pair in two week at the most , will my licence be downgraded
@Nicole
You’ll need to call your local drivers license department to be sure.
i haven’t drove a diesel in years but i have a CDL now im told i might not have a CDL no more cause i dont have a med. card. I payed big bucks to go to school to get my CDL’s What do i do?
@Robin
Your drivers license will be downgraded if you don’t maintain a current/valid medical card on file with your drivers license department.
Each state treats this process differently so call your local DLD to understand the implications of your CDL being downgraded.
My medical card just expired a day ago, how long do i have to show proof of the new one
@Alex
Right away. Each state is different in how soon they downgrade your drivers license. Get a new medical card on file with DLD as soon as possible.
There isn’t any grace period. I’m sick. Mine expires feb 22. Don’t want to go get it being sick.
@ Mary
Good choice.
I have a new medical card and have emailed it 3 times. It’s been over 20 days since I sent it and still isn’t on file. Any reason for this????
@ Hugh
Sounds like a state related problem, not an FMCSA issue. Check with your state and ask them the same question.
My medical card expires on May 22 2017 and I’m on the road till May 17 2017 can I still get my medical card without being downgraded .
@Agustin
You should be okay if you get a new medical card and fax or email a copy to DMV by May 22.
my certificate expired 2 days ago will I be downgraded or is there a grace period
@Charlie
No grace period.
There is a grace period. I believe it’s 60 days
Hi my husband has renewed his Med card and sent it in by mail and faxed it as well to be sure it’s recieved. We have the fax complete sent successful receipt. But wanted to see if there is a way we could find out if it was received. It expires on the 23rd.
@Brandi
The only way to know is to call your local drivers license department and ask.
Contact info for local offices should be in the Texas DPS link above.
is there a tx law or excemtion that states after a certain year , reg employed , that will require the driver to no longer have a medical card intrastate only ?
@Jimmy
That is a question for your states drivers license department. We try to answer FMCSA / DOT federal related question here and cannot keep up with the moving goal posts of different state regulations and exemptions.
IF you have held your CDL since August 28, 1979 and have been employed driving commercially since in the State of Texas you are exempt from having to get your medical card. But you will have to have your CDL changed to Intrastate Only and on your affidavit state you are exempted intrastate.
My dad has been driving for the same company for 40 years on same cdl is there not some sort of grandfather for his medical card. He is fit as an ox and plans to retire next year
form CDL 7 form can be filled out for Texas, stating intrastate only and no hazmat.
How can anyone doctor or employers cancel a person’s medical certificate after its been in Austin tx awhile and still valid.
@Floyd
Need more information on this one. Unless there were outside circumstances that came into play, we have no idea without further information.
I am scheduling the re-certs for our drivers. Most of the drivers will need to be renewed in April 2017. Is there a time limit prior to the actual re-certs dates. (example reserts in April; wanting to get them done in February)
Thanks in advance
@Jeff
You can have them done at any time, just be aware that the new cards start at the time of the most recent examination.
A few years ago my dot card expried I chose to give up cdla for c license had it for over twelve years what do I have to do to get it back now
@ Sharon K W
Get in touch with your local DLD and ask them. Your cdl comes from the state not the fed.