Click to find DOT physical locations in TEXAS
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
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! —
Please leave your feedback about your experience in this State.
Go to the Questions and Comments box below and post your feedback.
! To save us all from zombie spammers, your feedback will not appear on this page until it has been approved. Visit this page again soon to see your comment, and others too.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
NOTE: This website is not affiliated with, or endorsed by FMCSA or any government or state agency.
Under the CDL exemption for fire personnel, firefighters are exempt;, however, is there a physical requirement for other personnel, i.e., fire driver, fire bat chief, assistant chief, and fire chief that went into effect 1/1/2015? I have researched various sites for Texas and have not been able to find anything.
@Jo
Because this is a state exemption, it does not fall under the FMCSA or federal DOT.
You will have to find the answer within your state’s Driver’s License Dept.
Good afternoon, my husband’s medícal certifícate is about to expire we would like to know if It’s possible for him to take the new physical a few days after It’s been expired.
If so, How many days after can he take the new physical Without getting in trouble?
@Hope
Each state is a little different, but in reality the medical card becomes invalid at midnight of the expiration date. So if possible, get it done early.
The medical examiner is not concerned with the expiration date.
Most states are being a bit relaxed on the exact date, but it is the DOT officers checking CDLs that may have a problem.
It states you have to have your new health card 15 days BEFORE your present card expires. to avoid downgrading on you CDL’s
My husband is trying to get his CDL and they are telling him that if he takes anti depressants then he wouldn’t be able to pass his DOT physical. Everything that I have read states that he can pass his DOT. He’s been on them for several years now. What is the ruling on this?
@Stephanie
Start with a medical release form from his doctor explaining the meds and the need for them. That should answer the CME’s questions.
Someone who takes a new physical exam a month before the current one expires and fails the exam… Is the old card still current or does it make it invalid?
@Kathy
If the new physical was in-put to the FMCSA data base, then the old card is out and the medically disqualified is in.
I was recently a truck driver for 15 years and now I am a high school teacher but would like to keep my CDL although I am not using it right now. Would it be possible for me to not have to have a DOT physical and card since I am not using my CDL. I live in Texas by the way.
@anthony
Not sure about Texas, but in most states if you want to keep your class A active, you must have a valid medical card. You should check with your state DLD to confirm this is true in Texas.
You must have a reason to maintain your CDL in texas anymore, ask at your district about sub driving… Extra money for you and also a way to maintain your CDL and yes you will need your physical completed and sent into Texas DPS.
Government entities do not require physicals. There are exemptions for city, state, federal, and school districts.
If you are given a 3month card by doctors while you get additional info for them when you go back with indoor can the doctor issue you. Another card before the 3month card explores.
@Carole
Yes.
I applied for a dot job and in the interview the manager tells me he cant hire me untill my dot card expires, is that legall
@Seed
I don’t know about legal or illegal, but it does not make any sense to me at all. Was there any explanation for this type of behavior?
Yes, you must maintain a current D.O.T. Physical in Texas or they will convert your CDL to a class C. Just happened to me because of my recent diagnoses of COPD. You have to have above 60% lung capacity according to the Federal Commercial regulations.
IF YOU PASS THE PHYSICAL PART OF MEDICAL DOT AND ARE ASKED TO FURNISH COPY
OF STRESS TEST & A LETTER FROM YOUR HEART DOCTOR STATEING IN HIS OPINION YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DRIVING ,WHICH YOU DO IN A TIMELY MANNER ,THE DOCTORS OFFICE SENT IN A 3 MONTH CERTIFICATE AND TOLD ME WHEN YOU COME BACK WITH THIS INFO THEY WOULD GIVE ME THE YEARLY CARD.NOW THEY SAY SINCE THEY GAVE ME THE 3 MONTH ONE I HAVE TO COME BACK IN 3 MONTHS WHEN IT EXPIRES AND TAKE ANOTHER
PHYSICAL BECAUSE THAT IS THE LAW! JUST DOESN’T SEEM THIS IS RIGHT. THAT WOULD BE $250.00 IN 3 MONTHS FOR A CARD.
@Carolyn
You are correct. This is not a law and once you provide the proper information, then you should be given the remainder of your one year card. There may be a charge, which helps cover cost of bringing everything up to date, but not a full DOT examination charge.
I have a class a cdl in Minnesota. I’m thinking about moving to Texas. Do I have to retake all the tests and stuff or does it just transfer over?
@Andrew
You’ll need to contact Texas DPS to work out how your license transfer will work.
At DOT Physical DOCTORS we focus on questions about medical certification for your CDL.