Click to find DOT physical locations in WEST VIRGINIA
Click to find DOT physical locations in OTHER STATES
West Virginia CDL Requirements
Effective January 30, 2012, all CDL holders must declare a self-certification category relating to their type of commerce, and provide a valid updated medical certificate to West Virginia DMV.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements. You may have a WV Intrastate Medical Waiver.
Self-Certification With West Virginia DOT
Online PDF from WV DMV: CDL Medical Self-Certification Affidavit (DMV-CDL-3)
Questions? Call 304-926-3801
Keep Your Medical Certificate Current With West Virginia DMV
West Virginia DMV will keep your medical certification status – DOT medical card / waiver / exemption information – with your commercial driving record.
Submit your valid, updated medical card:
By Mail:
Driver Licensing CDL Division
P. O. Box 17010
Charleston, WV 25317
By Fax:
304-926-3890
In Person:
Driver Services window at 5707 MacCorkle Ave, SE in Kanawha City (Charleston) WV outside the Kanawha City Regional Office.
Other Information:
West Virginia Department of Transportation DMV official website – CDL information
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! —
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.
Do I need to fax or mail all pages of D.O.T. physical or just last page which is form 5876 medical examiner’s certificate
@ Mike K
Usually, all the state requires is a copy of your medical card, nothing else. Best to confirm with your local drivers license department.
If a DOT card is expired how long to you have to renew in WV before you would have to retest for your CDL.
@ Annette
Your best answer will come from you local drivers license department (DLD). Each state has different rules for this situation.
If you have a current dot physical do you have to have another one if it up to date ? Mine is good for six yrs a company telling me I have to have another one , why?
@ Tom
DOT/FMCSA medical certifications can range from 90 days to two years. You can/do not have a valid medical card for 6 years. Maybe a cdl, but not a medical card. So the company is probably correct.
I am submitting my DOT physical for the first time. Do I just send the Medical Examiner’s Certificate page only and they’ll know what to do with it or do I need a cover letter to identify my company along with my DOT#? Wasn’t sure if the certificate was all they needed to start my file or not.
@ Ron
You need to address this question about state process with your states drivers license department. They should be able to guide you through their process.
If I am driving a pickup truck (EXP) Dodge Ram 2500 with a DOT number on the side do I need a medical card?
@ Joe
Most states require a medical card for any driver of a vehicle which is used for commerce. Confirm this with your local drivers license department.
Can you email your new updated Medical Card into the office instead of mailing it in?
@ Derrick McM
Confirm this with your local drivers license department.
Had a stroke in December been cleared by doctors to drive but can’t get a letter of clearance from neurologist until I pass my dot physical what do I do
@ Keith
If you are a class A driver, you are in for a one year waiting period before you can take a DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination. Lesser class cdl, you will fall under your states guidelines and variances.
I have been on disability for about three years and have to renew my license in September and was wondering while being on disability can I still get an up to date medical card for CDL? I will eventually go back to work and don’t want to lose my CDL.
@ Donnie
You can not renew your medical card while on disability.
Are you saying you can’t get a dot physical if you are on disability?
@ Jake
No, what we are saying is there are stipulations, restrictions, guidelines and regulations that will be in place that you will need to provide documentation for. This may require a skills test, observed by a qualified examiner, or additional medical documentation. DOT/FMCSA requirements for a class A driver are strict and acquiring waivers can be tedious.
Thanks for the reply! I’ve only got class b and worked for our highway dept. I had a exemption from the dot physical. Now I’m on disability but want to keep my CDL so I was wondering about the same thing Donnie was.
@ Jake
Since you are a class B cdl holder, you fall under your states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. The DOT/FMCSA physical was established for class A, OTR drivers, and is much stricter than the states requirements. Check with your local drivers license department for your best answer. They should be able to guide you through their process.
I’m in the same boat with ya Donnie , I know a guy on disability gets his dot card every 2 years .
Does having a Pacemaker automatically disqualify you from getting a CDL and driving a Semi ?
@ @Silver FX
Not if it is just a pacemaker. If your unit has a defibrillator, then it will be a disqualifier.
I just got a new physical and have all of my papers. I will be submitting to WV. I have the address (5707 MacCorkle Ave SE). Can I send certified/request a signature to the Charleston address? Do I have to send to the PO Box number? My doctor’s office told me to send to the MacCorkle Ave. I know DMV’s are open now but only by appt and I don’t know if anyone would be there to sign or not.
There is an office door about 20 feet to the left of main dmv.it’s for commercial drivers.no appointment or wait time. I was in and out in less than a minute.
my husband had a t i a (mild stroke) in May, he went to get his physical card; which he passed, but they told him that he couldn’t for a year. Is this true?
@ jo
For a class A driver, the one year waiting period is correct. Look into intra-state only in the mean time.
I take medication in pill form for diabetes and blood pressure will I need a medical waiver or do I need to even tell the doctor about those medications
@ John B
You do not need a waiver, but you need to answer the questionnaire truthfully. You will need further supporting documentation and a medical release form from your prescribing doctors.
I drive a not for hire box truck, 23,000lbs. Do I need a dot physical?
@ Doyle
Check with your local drivers license department. In most states, if the vehicle is used to promote a profit commercially, it may require a medical card. Your state will have the best answer for you.
We have a box truck that is lighter than that and we are in the process of getting the physical. We live in West Virginia.
Hope that helps
1 it’s not for hire so should be no. 2 CDL required for 26,001 Lbs or more so no there as well as I see it no.
could you please put an email address on here to send your dot card to your fax does not seem to be working
Talking about a broke system I have had a cdl in wv for 20 + years went to renew cdl with new medical card was turned down because they couldn’t’ find past physicals in system. I sent them current and last 3 yrs copies , then said I would have to retest written and driving because there was a 30 day gap between one of them because I had to get my blood pressure down. Can’t believe there’s no grace period for physical but is on the cdl license. Anybody know how to get this lined out without retesting I think this is about somebody having control instead of using some common sense .
@ Greg
It sounds like you are having issues with your local state drivers license department. See about going up to a supervisors level for better answers. You have your supporting information, just make sure you take it with you.
I talked to a supervisor in Charleston wv and this is what told me. He said I should have started 3 months before it expired like I knew I was going to have problem, have never in my life had a blood pressure problem . Is there anybody higher up than the one in the office at Charleston ? This isn’t’ right.
@Greg
Don’t know what else to advise except keep trying to go higher.
My DOT physical expires Mar.18 of 2018 Can I go in 1st part of Jan of 2018 for physical or is that to early.
@Ken
Yes, no problem for you to get your new physical done early.
My medical cert ran out in april 2017 during a time when my mother fell in a care home and broke her hip. The rest.of the month resulted in moving to another hospital and surgery, move to a skill3d nursing home where she passed on april 27, 2017. I remember a reminder from my phone the first of april.when this all started but with all that was going on it totally slipped my mind. I onlyndrive cld a couple times a year for a part time job.. i received no notification the my license had been restricted and was told at dmv yesterday that i would have to relinquish my cdl in order to have a legal license to leave dmv with. Is there any provision for this kind of hardship that would allow me to be exempt for undue circustances? I have had these over 20 years using them a couple times a year with great expense. Inwas.also never informed when i moved from va to wv that i.was required to submit the form to dmv, was told the hospital sent them to dmv. In va it was not a requirement to have to do this. Please tell me there was a way to get these back without retesting. I felt pressered to give cld up yesterday without being able to get any more info due to driving without a valad license
Talking about a broke system! Same thing happen to me had cdl for 20 + years and because I mailed them in but there was a 30 day gap do to having to see a doctor to get my blood pressure down to pass physical . Now they say have to retest written and driving. Nobody tries to work with people anymore, it’s all about being in control. What goes around comes around one they will be in the same position hopefully.
Will WV accept an out of state dot physical? Back in 2001 I had one that was done in TN when I went to renew my license I had to get another from a doctor in WV.
@Amanda
If you are and interstate driver, yes they should accept the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876, from any certified medical examiner in any state.
If you are an intrastate driver with medical conditions that fall under state requirements, they may want you to get certified by a WV examiner who is familiar with those state requirements.
What is the rules of someone driving an 18 wheeler over the road that has a pace maker and not telling the doctor when they get there physical done and not telling the company they are driving for that they have a pace maker in.
@Paula
Pacemaker is not a major issue. It limits the examination certificate to one year and does require a medical release form from the doctor.
Now, lying on the federal medical examination form could cost a good driving career, if caught. Not real sure it’s worth it, when it’s so easy to get what you need legally.
I have my cdl. At the present moment I’ve decided to take a break from driving. Is it mandatory to provide the DMV with a valid DOT Medical Certificate each year so that I can keep my cdl?
@Michelle
Yes, you need to keep a current medical card on file with your CDL. Some states may allow you to change your self-certification status to “excepted” while you are not driving. Each state treats this process differently, so contact your local drivers license department to see how they can accommodate you.
I’m trying to obtain my cdl’s, I have my med card and ready to take my cdl permit. I am wondering when do I self certify, before I take the learners or after?
My CDL’s expires October 22 2016. My DOT physical expires December 22 2016. Do I have to take the vision test at the DMV when I renew my CDL’s. I live in west virginia
@Henry
This website is administered by DOT Physical Doctors. We help drivers with question relation to DOT Medical Certification not driver licenses.
You’ll need to ask this question of your local drivers license department.
If I have class A CDL;s and am listed as intrastate I understand that my general MD ( Not DOT certified ) can give a physical, is this true. Also if I am a Class D driver can my doctor give the physical.
@Harvey
Interstate: All interstate CMV drivers are required to be examined and certified by a ME listed on the National Registry.
Intrastate: Each individual State makes the determination as to whether or not intrastate drivers must be examined by a certified ME listed on the National Registry.
If you are driving intrastate, you’ll need to check with your local drivers license department to know if your non-CME doctor can give the physical. Or, go to a certified medical examiner and you’ll be covered.
I heard yesterday that medical examinations will now include a measurement of your neck and a BMI evaluation. If the 2 numbers are 17 and greater and 35 and greater then u will have to take a sleep study for sleep apnea. Is this true ?and what about west Virginia specifically.
@Stan
Not true. See these articles on Sleep Apnea Screening to better understand this issue. http://dotphysicaldoctor.com/category/sleep-apnea/
I am trying to get a DOT physical and I’m on disability. I am not able to drive for long periods of time or climb on trucks to tarp or strap loads but I want my CDL so if I need to just drive my buddy’s truck to get it services for him or whatever the need be but I won’t be working a job and I may also do some part time light weight hauling with my Ford F450 dually pickup locally. I can’t get a physical passed because my Dr says with my leg condition I may develop a blood clot and it move to a kind or something causing me to lose consciousness. To me that’s crazy I mean a helicopter could crash on me but one never has like I have never had a blood clot and I can drive for short periods of time. Is there a way I can sign a waiver or something to get a physical card.
@Skip
If you cannot pass the medical certification examination for a class A license then you are seen as not physically fit for duty.
You would want to check into driving intra-state only. So check with your local drivers license department and see what their requirements are. Intra-state has its own set of rules and guidelines and they vary from state to state.
Its sad. Cannot get a cdl because of blood clot possible.
But can still drove a car that will still do damage and possibly cause a trucker to wreck.
I wanted to know on the Medical Self-Certification form if there is a fax and or email address that it could be sent into. I work for AT&T and we have CDL drivers that sometimes either done do this process when they get their new medical card or do it wrong.
@ Michelle
Every self certification form I have seen has the instructions on how to return the information to the DLD.
I was wanting to know if you work for the state and are exempt from needing the DOT physical and then after over a year, you no longer work for the state, do you need to go and have an updated DOT physical
@Vicki
All depends on what your driver’s license class is and what you will be driving in the near future.
Class A and exempt, will have to have a valid medical certificate to maintain the drivers license. Class D and driving a car around town, no, you don’t need a medical certificate. Driving anything that is being used for commerce, you will probably need a valid medical card.
We have several drivers with a Class B drivers license who are required to have a medical exams each year. The form called National Network of DOT Medical Examiners the doctor filled out did not have any information on it about sending it to the DMV. I thought the doctor’s office submitted the form. It would be nice if there was some instructions.
I am trying to find the medical reqierments you must meet to get a c.d.l. license in the state of west virgina.
I passed a DOT physical a month ago , and since I had a cataract removed from one eye. Do I need to repeat my DOT physical for the vision aspect of it, or is my card still good until it expires in a year ?
@Darren
Any situation, be that illness or injury or surgery, that removes a driver from the safe operation of a CMV must have a new DOT examination to determine if the driver is “fit for duty”. You will need a new DOT examination to make that determination.
Are drivers who drive only in the state (West Virginia) required to get their physicals from a certified medical examiner? If not what must they continue to do to be exempted?
@Jenni
Our focus on this website is Federal regulations.
This is a question for your state DLD. Each state is different and you need to know regarding your state rules and regulations.
Do shop managers or supervisors who road test trucks have to have a current DOT physical with medical card?
@Amy
If they are operating any CMV over 10,001 pounds or if the vehicle is used for commerce, then yes a valid medical card is a must.
Go online to your state DMV to check the details.
Due to changes in my health, my Doctor has taken off medication that required me to have a CDL physical every year. I had my last DOT physical on 10/4/13. My Medical Examiners Certification card expires on 10/4/14. What do I need to do to get this expiration moved up to 10/4/15?
@Jeff
You don’t get the expiration date moved up You just go and get a new medical examination, and a new medical card, before your old one expires.
I think he meant “pushed back.” He wants to take advantage of the extra year that his release from the doctor’s care affords him.
I’m in Logan co. I drive a school bus & I had my physical 5/19/14 and passed with the medication on my physical now my question is why won’t my county let me drive? I’m capable of driving I did all summer until when school started & I’ve been on this medication since 2007 & its been on all my physicals so why now? Need answers please
@Nancy
What medication for what condition?
I had dot phy last year and sent a copy into dmv. I just had another phy this year do I have to send a copy into dmv every year. last year they sent me a form in the mail Will they send me a form this year or do I just send a new copy of phy. and where do I send it to
@Mike
Yes, you are required to keep your medical card information updated with DMV.
See information above – Keep Your Medical Certificate Current With West Virginia DMV.
To cover all your bases you should probably complete the self-certification form again, and include that with your new medical card.