Do you or do you not need a CDL medical card once you pass the test for your CDL? That is a question often asked by new drivers and experienced drivers operating a new vehicle. Why do you need a CDL medical card, and where do you get it? We’ll answer that question and more to alleviate any confusion you may have regarding the issue.
What is a CDL Medical Card?
A CDL medical card confirms you’ve been examined by a qualified physician and deemed physically capable of driving a commercial vehicle. It also proves you don’t have any underlying health issues that would be a potential danger to other motorists. The certificate from the medical examiner is a required part of your driver’s qualification file.
Where Do You Get Examined for a CDL Medical Card?
Examinations take place at a licensed medical examiner’s office. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a list of approved physicians.
How Much Does a DOT Physical Cost?
The cost for the exam can range from $30 to $250 depending on the facility and whether or not you’re insured.
How to Get a CDL Medical Card
You’ll have to take a few steps to obtain your CDL medical card. After completing the required training, most commercial driving schools will help their students navigate the process. Here are the steps you must follow before you can get on the road:
Step 1
First, you’ll need to find an approved medical provider and schedule an appointment. Interstate drivers need an FMCSA-certified medical examiner to complete their physical.
Intrastate drivers have to find a state-approved provider, and requirements vary from state to state. The FMCSA has a list of physicians belonging to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners listed on their website to aid your search.
Step 2
Next, you will complete the two-part DOT physical examination. The first section is a five-page report, and the second is the physical. Each exam involves reviewing your health history and a comprehensive physical exam that checks your vital signs as well as urine, hearing, and vision tests.
Step 3
Once the examination is over, the physician will give you a copy of your CDL medical card to submit to the DOT. You’ll then visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles in person or by mail, fax, or email. Check with your local department to determine whether there’s a time limit for the submission.
Step 4
Finally, follow the CDL medical card renewal guidelines. Most times, the CDL medical card is renewed every 24 months. Drivers with documented health conditions may need to renew every 12 months and take health assessments periodically to ensure the condition remains minimal and doesn’t impair their performance.
These conditions include high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and diabetes. Again, each state’s rules vary, so it’s important to understand your area’s CDL medical card renewal guidelines.
What You Need to Know with a CDL Medical Card
When you go in for your exam, it helps to know just what you should bring so you can be issued your CDL medical card quickly and be on your way. Here are a few items you should take to help the process run smoothly.
Required Information
Take your commercial learner permit or license and other documents the DMV requires to verify your information. Your completed DOT medical certification form should also be with you, and be prepared to inform the examiner of any current medications or health conditions that may affect your status.
Specific Doctors
While you may have a trusted family doctor you’ve seen for years, they may not be able to provide a medical card for CDL drivers. The doctor must be listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Many urgent care facilities employ certified medical examiners, so feel free to stop by your local center and ask. If you don’t find one there, visit the FMCSA’s website and search the database for a qualified physician.
Requirements
Many believe a medical card for CDL drivers is mandatory once you receive your license. However, there are some exceptions. If the interstate vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross combination weight (GCW), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of less than 10,000 pounds, a medical card isn’t required.
If the vehicle transports 15 passengers or less or 8 passengers or less when direct compensation is involved, they also are not required to have a CDL medical card. Most states use a criterion of 10,001 pounds or more to determine if a medical card for CDL drivers with local routes is necessary.
The states that don’t use that criterion have their weight set between 10,001 and 26,001 pounds. Contact your local DMV offices to find out the weight requirement for intrastate driving.
Self-Certification
Self-certification is when CDL holders notify the State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) of which of the four categories they are excepted or non-excepted to operate in commercially, according to federal or state requirements interstate non-excepted, interstate excepted, intrastate non-excepted, and intrastate excepted.
Can I Keep My CDL Without a Medical Card?
Unless you operate in one of the excepted categories, Federal regulations require you to have a CDL medical card if you have a CDL.
What Happens if You Let Your Medical Card Expire?
Your commercial driving privileges may be suspended, depending on your state, if you allow your CDL medical card to expire. Some states will grant you a grace period to submit the CDL medical card renewal, while others will suspend you immediately. If you wait too long, several states require you to retake the testing process for a CDL.
Getting a Medical Card For a CDL Can Be Worth It!
While obtaining and renewing a CDL medical card can seem like a hassle, it’s beneficial for you and your company. A medical card for CDL operators is proof that a doctor finds you fit and healthy enough to drive a commercial vehicle.
The examination exists to keep you and other drivers safe as you share the road. Don’t wait! Get your CDL medical card today.
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