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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…
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I fell at work and could not do my dot medical exam. My card will expire in a few days. Can I get an extension for my medical exam until I am released by the doctor to return to work?
@ Char
There is no such thing as an extension on medical cards. The states are pretty lenient giving your particular circumstances. Once released to return to work, go get your medical certification and take a copy to the state DLD ASAP.
Do you have to use your company Dr for you Medical card or can you choose who you want to see.
@ Kim
In reality, you should be able to choose who you want to do your DOT/FMCSA physical, as long as they are on the national registry. AND some companies have arrangements with certain facilities and demand you use their examiner. Your choice.
When did this self submission for the state of Texas go into effect. Up until this year I could get my physical done and take the paperwork to my company and they did whatever was necessary and I never had to wait for an update on my MVR. I was dispatched immediately.
This year I get a physical out of state, email pictures of the documents to my company as requested but told that I have to send in this self certification and honestly for a truck driver it’s pretty damned inconvenient. Documents must be in PDF format if you email them?! No one to call and discuss the issue with and now I’m just playing a waiting game with no pay as I have to wait for a response from the state on not only if they got my forms but if they were submitted properly. This is ridiculous! Make it easy for the driver so we can make a living!
Do I need a dot card if I do not have a cdl, driving intrastate with 26ft box truck moving general freight in Texas?
And also do I need dot decals on a term lease box truck?
@ Antonio
Most states require a valid medical card for any vehicle that is being used for commerce, (making $). Best to confirm with your local DLD.
Do have to get a sleep study to keep my Heath card
@ Robert B
No, unless you present with a multitude of signs and symptoms of OSA. DOT/FMCSA never made a sleep study mandatory based on any ONE thing.
In the state of Texas, if your driver’s license is downgraded to a class c from my class a CDL due to failing to take your physical Will you be able to get the CDL back or do you have to go to school to get your CDL now?
@ Sheila V
Only Texas DLD can answer this question best for you.
Sheila I went through this same thing about a year ago with them. mine had downgraded to class c from an A. Many of the DLD office locations are uneducated to the new protocol but if you were a past licensed holder you do not need schooling again. I fought that very same question with many branch offices and Austin Texas had to call and straighten the branch offices out. All you have to do is go do your general knowledge over again pay your fees and then take your road exam and pay your fees. But be aware the old licensing that we used to go through some of the questions are different and for sure the pre-trip post trip is much more difficult. make sure you study.
I do not have cdl.. just doing hot shot loads .. where do i send my medical card after getting it done?
@ ctx
Check with your state DLD. Some states do not require any notification, but confirm this with your drivers license department.
Hello, I have a CDL in Texas and I recently renewed my medical card out of state. I’ve faxed over the new one to Texas DPS but they have not updated it on my status. If the one in file expires, do I lose my driving privileges until the new one is scanned in? Or Is there a grace period to turn it in while still having driving privileges and staying DOT-compliant? Thank!
@ Manuel S
This will be best answered by TX. drivers license department. Best if you can take a hard copy to the local DLD and make sure they got it in the system.
Hello my question is both my CDL and med card expired but it only a few weeks past expiration on both. And in Texas there a two year grace on DL so can I go renew my med card even though my CDL is expired it just needs renewed
@ Chriss F
For a class A, it will be difficult to get the medical certification examination without a valid cdl.
I am 70 years old and have CDL Interstate since CDL was introduced . I have a medical card . My question is I only drive about 100 miles a year helping farmer get crops from field to farm storage or local grain elevator, both less than 10 miles each way. Do I need to renew my med. card when I change my status to intrastate
@ Gary D R
This is a state license related question and will be best answered by your drivers license department (DLD).
How do you prove driving “regularly “ before Aug 1989 to be eligible for CDL-5 part A ?
@ Mark
Your questions will be best answered by your local DLD.
Is there a website where I can check to see if my medical card is valid.
@ Jeffrey J
Check with your local drivers license department (DLD).
How much dose it cost to update you medical card.
@ Patrick
Different facilities, different prices.
What are the penalties if you let your medical card expire? Is there a grace period to get it?
Every state is different, they’ll downgrade you typically in 30-45 days after you let it expire or if you don’t submit it within that time. To reinstate they’ll require you to go in, present the med cert, and pay the fee to renew your license (the fee varies by state). So there’s a grace period, but not much of one!!!
How do I get reinstated ? How much are the fees for the downgrade for no medical card renewal ?
@ Joshua P
Both of these questions will be best answered by your local drivers license department (DLD).
Can I get my medical card in any city or does it have to be in the same city that I’ll be getting my cdl?
@ Carl
You can get your physical done by any CME in any state/city, as longs they are on the national registry.
I’m not finding a definitive answer on this. Is Texas offering a grace period on turning in the medical card for CDL?
@ Carey
The fed extended the grace period to mid October, but you will need to confirm with your states DLD in Texas.
Is there a way to get an extension since you cannot obtain the med cert on time
@ Anonymous
Most states have a small grace period, but do not count on them. Get your medical done ASAP and get it registered with your states DLD.
I retired 9 months ago and I just got my medical certification renewal notice.My question is can I keep my CDL without the certification and then get one if I decide to drive again?
@ Charles S
Most states require a valid medical card to keep your cdl active. Best to confirm with your local DLD.
Texas med certificate expiring because of medical health issues/surgery recovery time.Is there a grace period in Texas to get the medical certificate to them after expiration.
@ Michael D P
Not sure if Texas is following DOT/FMCSA. FMCSA has extended the grace period to the middle of October. Check with your local DLD.
Tried to renew my CDL online and mistakenly renewed to Class C .Now they tell me I have to retest written and road for a CDL after having a CDL for over 30 years.Is there anyway I can get around this because no one at DPS wants to help.
@ Daniel M
This is a state related issue and will have to be resolved at the state level. See if you can get an appointment with a supervisor, they should be able to help or at least guide you from here.
I swear I just had this happen today what is going on