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Washington CDL Requirements
All CDL holders must self-certify in person between January 30, 2012 and January 30, 2014.
If you don’t self-certify before the deadline, Washington SDL will change your CDL record to show “not certified,” and you won’t legally be allowed to operate a commercial vehicle. You can return your status to normal by submitting a self-certification form and, if required, a copy of your medical certificate.
You must visit a driver licensing office to self-certify. Mailed in forms are not accepted.
The category you self-certify will determine whether you have to keep a medical certificate on file with Washington SDL, or not.
See WA State Licensing Official Site
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. You must keep a current copy of your medical certificate on file with WA SDL.
Intrastate Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. You do not have to keep your medical certificate on file with WA SDL but you must carry it with you when operating a CMV.
Intrastate
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. You do not have to keep your medical certificate on file with WA SDL but you must carry it with you when operating a CMV.
Per RCW 46.25.055 CDL drivers must carry Medical Examiners Card in Washington.
How to Self-Certify and File your Medical Certificate
- You must submit a completed self-certification form in person at a driver licensing office. Mailed in forms are not accepted.
- Non-excepted interstate drivers must also submit a valid medical examiner’s certificate with the self-certification form.
Keep Your Medical Certificate Current With Washington Department of Licensing
The first time you self-certify as a non-excepted interstate driver, you must submit your medical certificate in person.
After that, you may mail, or fax, or email your new medical certificate before the old one expires.
By Mail:
CDL Medical Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9030
Olympia, WA 98507-9030
By Fax:
360-570-4915
By Email: (please do not email questions to this email)
CDLMed@DOL.WA.GOV
Other Information:
Washington State Department of Licensing – Commercial Driver License (official website)
Self-Certification and Medical Certificate FAQ
Intrastate Medical Waiver:
Intrastate Medical Waivers
Contact: CDL Program DOL Tiffany Cooper 360-902-3819
Questions:
If you have questions about your medical certificate or self-certification, you may call WA SDL at 360.902.3900 or email drivers@dol.wa.gov
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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Because of a change in meds, my blood pressure won’t be under control/under 140, until a few weeks after my DOT Medical cert expires (WA state).
Do I have to retake the CDL school for expired DOT med cert? Or can my new med cert apply, reinstating my CDL, even though it will be late?
I know this is similar to the below question, but I was told the same thing, about retaking school if you lose your CDL this way. Anyhow looking for definitive answer.
@ Erick
DOT/FMCSA has extended the grace period to the middle of October. In most states all you need do is renew your medical card and get a copy to your state drivers license department ASAP.
On my physical I had high blood pressure, 144/? Dr said he will sign for a temporary 90 CDL permit. I now need to be on high blood pressure meds. Will be rechecked in 90 days if Blood pressure at 140 or below Dr will sign for full permit, but he said I will have to take the CDL classes all over again? My Supervisor doesn’t think I should have to, what is the process?
@ Renee
Most likely he meant you will have to take a new medical certification examination, not your cdl classes.
Washington State CDL Medical certificate: BMI 35.14 Neck 43mm blood pressure meds… Doc gave 3month extension to get sleep study??? I suggested I lose a few pounds and retest..She states that would work?? I get home check last years certificate and my BMI and neck circumference was larger??? What the heck is going on here??
@ Greg
No changes in the DOT/FMCSA guidelines, just examiner interpretation of the same guidelines as last year. BMI and neck measurements are not a mandatory sleep study. OSA sleep studies request should have a multitude of signs and symptoms beyond BMI and neck size. One year for the BP meds, yes. Sleep study, No.
Do we still have to carry a copy of medical certificate in our wallet? I was reading in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations pocketbook and 391.41 Subpart E (2)(i)(A) and (B) seemed to indicate that drivers only needs a copy of medical certificate for 15 days after it was issued
@ Jesse
That’s what it says, but now you are depending on the government to have things in place for you. ???
Best bet, to cover all bases is to have a copy available to you at all times, like take a picture on you phone or carry a hard copy.
For Intrastate CDL do I need to submit a copy of current Medical Certification every time it is renewed or just when License is renewed? what’s the process I’m confused with the extensions due to Covid 19.
@ Carlton P
Every time you get a new medical card, it should be submitted to the state.
Can I let my medical card expire and still keep my cdl current if not planning on driving?
@ Leonard T
Each state has different rule and you will need to confirm with your state drivers license department for the correct answer.
How long does it take for my suspended license to be renewed after I have paid my tickets and done my medical exam
@ Mnajit K
This is a state related question and your best answer will come from your local drivers license department.
What is the maximum size of an ascending aortic dilation allowed by WA state. The examiner didn’t know if it was 3.5 cm or 5.0 cm.
Thanks, Ann
@ Ann R
FMCSA changed the upper limit for the thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) diameter below which an asymptomatic individual may be certified from 3.0 cm to 5.0 cm.
Hello! If a person drives a class A CDL vactor in the State only and had a TIA that completely resolved itself and they have no other risk factors in Washington, has no impairments whatsoever, what is the steps they have to do to drive again and can they get a medical variance for Washington state since they only drive the vehicle to job sites and that’s it
@ Chantel
First check with your state drivers license department for the proper guidelines to drive intra-state only cdl class A. Then find a CME that understands the difference from federal to state guidelines. In some states you first fail the DOT/FMCSA guidelines and then the state issues the intra-state only cdl license. But do the states information first to know the proper procedures.
I updated my medical card by fax, can i expect some notice letter about that on my address and when?
I’ve had 2 A1C both have came out to 10 would I still qualify for my DOT card I heard anything over 10 does not qualify what about 10 and below?
@ Juan B
10 is totally unacceptable by the FMCSA, no medical card would be issued.
I just did my dot physical today. I took a copy into my employer and was told that I was now required to carry a full size copy of the document rather than a wallet size copy. Why is this? Most people use the wallet size copy if for no other reason than the full size is not practical.
@ Edward P
DOT requires you to carry a copy of your medical certificate, not the whole form.
I currently have a class B, I just has total knee replacement surgery. My medical expires some, but I don’t think I can renew my medical. What should I do about my medical?
@ Mary
Full recovery and a medical release form from your doctor is the only thing you can do at the moment. You are class B, so check with your local DLD and ask if they have any leniency for situations such as yours.
My current medical card will expire this july 15th but I had rotator cuff surgery. My question is can I wait to renew my medical card until I return to full duty for work or will I loose my cdl if I wait.? How long after my medical card expires can I wait?
@ David
Check with your local DMV, they should have a policy that takes into consideration your circumstances, besides, you should not pass a DOT medical certification examination at this anyhow.
Hello,
I am going to be getting a physical for a DOT medical card soon. Does Washington State test for cannabis now?
Thank you in advance.
Yeah, dude, you can’t get stoned and drive down the road.
Sorry bout that.
Yeah, but you can get stoned while your co-pilot drives down the road…smoke tuff and hammer down bro!
At my DOT physical it was discovered that my blood sugar was high, 310. This has never been an issue ever before. I was sent to a print care clinic to get an ArC and they have set me up with a primary care doc who I will see tomorrow. The print care clinic called and said my A1C is 11.1. The DOT doc said I can’t have a medical card if the A1C is over 10. This is all new to me. Am I going to lose my CDL because of this?
I’m not sure what WA will do. You can self certify as Intrastate exempted until you acquire new DOT card. That will ensure you maintain your CDL-A
I recently retired from my commercial driving job and will not be driving commercially again. I let my medical card lapse. Do I need to remove my CDL from my license? My regular license is good for another 3 years.
No, just let it lapse when you go to renew next just tell them you do not wish to renew your CDL and they will renew without it and Dave a few dollars in the process 🙂
My husband has recently experienced what his eye Dr called, a stroke behind his eye. For awhile he could not see out of that eye. He’s in treatment and the sight is slowly returning. My question is, if he gets proof from his Dr that he is in treatment, can be still be able to qualify for his medical card in order to continue driving. Also, he said that the Dr that performs the physicals measures your neck. Does anyone know the size and specifics on the measurement that would make him have to do sleep study to ensure he doesn’t have sleep apnea. Which, he doesnt.
@Jo
Eye – he will not meet the requirements at present until his eye is fully receovered.
Sleep study – Read these articles on sleep apnea screening.
Is sleep apnea in the state of washington bar you from passing a DOT physical even though you are not going for a CDL?
@ Natalia
If you are not a class A driver or class A cdl holder, then you fall under the states guidelines and variances. You are being held to a class A over the road standard. Find an examiner that understands the differences. You should not have any issues with your state, especially if you have a state drivers license.
As a school bus driver if I have a procedure done that requires me to be knocked out, do I need to inform my employer of my procedure? I will only be out for approximately 30-45 minutes. With all the new laws I’m just curious about my responsibilities as a CDL holder. I was told by a coworker that if I was put under that I would have to get a new medical card. I live in Washington state. Is that true?
@Jim
Most states and the FMCSA have a policy that states if you are removed from behind the wheel for any reason or any period of time, you are required to have a new medical card examination to properly determine medical fitness for duty. If you want to confirm this we recommend that you’re check with your local drivers license department.
I’m a WA state school bus driver. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. I was waking up 1x per hr compared to others with severe who wake up over100x. I had no other symptoms other than being overweight and neck size. Since getting the machine I’ve had really bad sleep. I slept great before all of this. Can you tell me if In WA state its a requirement for a Cpap machine and compliance or just a recommendation?
@Sharri
Everything depends on what class driver you are. If you are not a class A driver, then you should not be examined as if you are.
Check with your local drivers license department and see if it is a mandatory issue for your state.