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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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My med dot card expires on Aug 13, 2022…. Is there a grace period to get it renewed here in Texas
@ Chris P
You have a grace period until the end os August via DOT/FMCSA.
Can I drive 45 days after my cdl medical card exp, for the state of texas
@ Demont M B
You may be ticketed for no medical card by TX DOT or federal DOT. There is no grace. Once card expires, you are expected to have a new medical examination and get the results to your state. Your state may then allow a 45 day grace period while your information is input to the states data base.
I’m currently in Arizona Texas class a CDL needing to add my medical card when I do this online do I need to also send and $11 as well for this to be added to my drivers license
@ Marcus D
This is a state related question and will be best answered by your cdl’s state drivers license department.
I passed everything for my medical card except walking heel to toe. I’m looking through bifocals, so I didn’t walk straight enough for doctor. So he failed me. When did they start doing heel to toe? I’ve been driving legally since 2002 and since 1985 without a CDL.
@ Jerry
The heel/toe walk has always been in the DOT/FMCSA class A drivers medical certification examination. Most examiners have found other ways to determine possible spinal cord lesions. It appears that the examiner has interpreted the guidelines in a very strict manner. Go elsewhere and get a second opinion.
If my med card expires today, how long do I have in Texas to renew? Help me please!!!
I Samoan and we know for being heavy! Few years ago they thought the same way so they have me take a sleep test and I pass. And they still try to put me on a sleep machine. At this point I argue with them and they let me due to it was about money by the end of the day. So wasn’t a good experience. Renew after a year no problem pass all my physical and granted for a 2 years Medical Card. Same thing. Now I went In for a 2nd renew I pass everything again and this time they pressure me to get my result from 3 years ago for sleep test or go through the test process to get my medical card issue. Doesn’t make any sense, cause I was always posted over weight in the scale all this years and I pass the test. I feel like this is a money grab how can I get my Madical Card renew without this non sense?
@ Saifoloi A
It seems to be a money grab. DOT/FMCSA only require a sleep study be done when there are a multitude of signs and symptoms. Over weight/BMI and neck size are only 2 possibilities of many. Either fight it or go else where for a second opinion.
You can get a second opinion on a med card for sleep apnea study? T
hey are pushing the same thing on me but I sleep fine no issues. It threatens my livelihood because I don’t have medical insurance for the whole process.
@ Tonka
If you sleep well, then go get a second opinion.
My DOTMEDICAL CARD EXPIRED JULY 30,CAN I FILE FOR AN EXTENTION
@ Benny
No need, DOT/FMCSA has extended your grace period to the end of August. So you have time to go get it done, now.
I have a cdl A and my medical card expires on 8-2 I’m on short term disability for a heart surgery in august. I’m in Texas and need my job. It might be a few weeks late but I’ll get another medical card. Will I have to do. All the testing again?
@ Rd
DOT/FMCSA have extended their grace period to the end of August, for now. And given your situation, it would be highly unlikely you will need to redo all the testing for your class A.
My CDL Got down graded to ah Class-C because of my medical card not been on file. Due to My Doctor not sending it in. “AND HE STILL CHARGED ME $10” LOL.
Will I have to do medical exam again. Because my medical card is good till 6/23. Or can I just go to DMV And present it.
@ Isaac G
Just take the medical card down to your local drivers license department and follow their process. Lesson learned; do the medical card and drivers license department yourself, others may fail to do it for you.
My medical card expired on 12/23/23, I can’t get an appointment until 1/17/23, will my license be downgraded, if so what do I need to do to upgrade it?
@ Cody
Most states are running a few days to weeks behind on getting your information into their system. Most likely they will not downgrade your cdl. Get the examination done ASAP and get a copy to your local DLD same day if possible.
If I didn’t pass my physical at one place can i go to another place to see if i cold pass or does it stay on record that I didn’t pass
@ Felix g
You can always request a second opinion elsewhere.
I am driving a F550 in Texas for a company, am I required to have a medical cards as this vehicle is rated over the 10,001 lb. rule
@ Allen
Most state are requiring a valid medical card to drive any vehicle that is being used in commerce. Cars, pickup trucks, delivery vans, etc. Confirm with your local drivers license department.
I need to get my Medical DOT card updated in the system is all. I don’t want to go to DPS, the Drivers license office, and pay for another license again this year. how can I get it to austin without doing that? Mine is good till 2029
@ Melanie
TX has a procedure designed for you to get your medical certification information into their system. Check with your local DLD for their process.
my medical card expires 8/26/2022, but im currently on short term disability for cancer surgery. i might get released before the expiration date. but if im not can i still renew my medical card??
@ Luciano McB
DOT/FMCSA has extended its grace period to the end of August already. Most important, get well, be well, DOT will wait for you.
If my CDL is in Texas can I get a med card in NM
@ Lenny
Yes, just make sure that TX gets a copy to attach to your license.
What is the process to renew DOT?
@ Susana
Call and make an appointment with a certified medical examiners office. Be early to fill out paperwork. Come with a smiling face, a need to pee, and a way to pay. The CME will do the rest.
In Texas, do you have to have a medical examiners card for NON CDL driver who drives a vehicle of 10,000 or more?
@ kay f
Check with your local drivers license department. Most states require a medical card for any driver that is operating any vehicle that is being used for commerce.
If you have a K. On your cdl do you need a Dot card in Tx
@ Johnny
You will need to confirm this information with your local drivers license department.
How long do we have after our medical card expires to get another one before we re down graded
@ Adam
Downgrades would occur at the state level. Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer. Or get a new medical certificate and get it to the state, asap.
I have had my cal license since 1992. My job and the practice stated that they sent in my renewal I’d my CME card. I renewed my license on line 2 weeks before my bday. My license was downgraded and I didn’t find out until they sent my renewal in the mail. However my DOT card does not expire for 8 months. Do I have to retake all my test over again ir please advise what other options I have.
@ Derrick
Most likely you just need to present your valid medical card to the drivers license department. But, confirm this with your local DLD. It is unlikely you will need to redo all the testing.
Where do I take my paper work to my physical ..to renew my cdl license
@ Brandon k
Check with your local drivers license department. In most cases all you need is a copy of your new medical card.
Is there any kind of grace period for dot physical’s in Texas
@ Randy
You will need to check with TX. DLD for the correct answer to your question.
Hello .. I sent my medical card in by email, got a confirmation email stating that they got it . Today I received a letter stating that my Cdl had been downgraded because they haven’t gotten it . I have all the emails and the medical card that is current and up to date. Also if they weren’t able to update I never received an email stating that they didn’t update it. What do I do? This Cdl is how I provide, I did everything right .. I need help
@ Ernest D
Since your cdl is a state issued license, you will need to go to the drivers license department, with copies of your supporting documentation, to clear up this issue.
Is there any way I can keep my CDL without using it and without losing it without having to get my medical card every year?
@ Bridget
Since your cdl is a state issued license, you will need to check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
Can you keep cdl A without a physical if your not using it for work!?
@ Richard A B
Not that we are aware of. But, your cdl is state issued, it would be confirmed with your local drivers license department.