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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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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.
There are different levels of CDL driving conditions, mine is. I drive a work truck that qualifies CDL class B. I drive for 20 to 30 minutes, stop get out of truck and do my work, I repeat this over and over each and every day.
I recently did my CDL physical, had to do a sleep study, now have to use a machine that gives me less sleep than not using it.
I feel that there needs to be different classes of CDL physicals for different classes of driving conditions.
Just needed to put this out there..!!!!!!
@Brad
The CME should be taking all drivers into consideration with regards to the type of driving that they do. That being said, some CMEs seem to have forgotten what they’re required to do. You are correct and some CMEs need to be refreshed on what their requirements are.
If I have diagnosed sleep apnea and use an APAP machine, can I still maintain my CDL in the state of Washington? My friend is concerned he will lose his because of his SA aND neck size.
@Joe
Just have a medical release form filled out by your doctor and a copy of your compliance report off of your machine and you should be fine.
If I’m a smoker (tobacco) do I need to have a sleep test done to get a none cdl dot card in Washington.
@Jack
No, you do not need a sleep test because you are a smoker.
There may be other tests needed if you have difficulty breathing because you have been a smoker, but that will be determined at the tine of the medical examination.
very very frustrated, i have had my CDL suspended for over two weeks now, i keep sending in the paperwork and i keep getting a letter telling me its incorrect, very little direction on whats wrong. This is pathetic, i called the number on the DOL paperwork and they explained what was incorrect, i said can i expedite this in anyway, she said i’m sorry i can’t see it, its at a different location you will know in 7-10 business days. What do i do in the mean time, collect government aid??? So much of a racket, it’s all on the national website placed there by a doctor, why this second step, another step for mistakes to happen.