Medical Card

United States Department of Transportation


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Medical
Overview
All commercial drivers of vehicles in interstate commerce with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) are required to obtain and maintain a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (ME Certificate) Commercial drivers who drive vehicles requiring a CDL have two additional requirements. On or before January 30, 2014, all CDL holders must declare to their State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) that they only operate or expect to operate commercially in 1 of 4 possible categories with their CDL. This process is called self-certification. For more information on the self-certification categories see the Self-Certification FAQ's.

CDL holders must provide their SDLA with a copy of their ME Certificate. This information is only being added to the State driving records of CDL holders. Non-CDL holders are not required to self-certify or submit a copy of their ME Certificate to their SDLA. CDL holders, who are found driving in a category other than one to which they self-certified, are subject to suspension or revocation of their commercial driving privileges. CDL drivers, who do not update the expiration date of their ME Certificate with their State, will have their commercial driving privileges downgraded, and will not be eligible to drive a commercial motor vehicle that requires a CDL.

Instructions on how your State is collecting your ME Certificate information:

• State-by-State Instructions for Submitting Medical Certificates to the State Driver Licensing Agencies

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has reviewed each State's commercial driver’s license motor vehicle record (CDLIS MVR) for compliance with the Medical Certification (Med Cert) requirements. Effective January 30, 2015 FMCSA has verified that every State is posting the basic, minimal medical certification information which allows a motor carrier to validate if a driver is medically qualified. The basic information consists of the driver’s medical status and the expiration date of the medical examiner’s certificate. In addition, most States are posting the complete medical certification information. All States are working to produce the complete CDLIS MVR with all the required MedCert information. In the interim, FMCSA has advised both its staff and roadside enforcement personnel to accept proof of a driver’s medical certification status and expiration date on a CDLIS MVR, as the basic information required to substantiate that a driver is medically qualified.

FAQ section.

If you are subject to the USDOT medical examiner certification requirement, provide a copy of each new USDOT medical examiner certificate to your SDLA prior to the expiration of your current medical examiner certificate. The medical examiner certificate is often referred to as your "medical card."

[paste:font size="4"]Physical Impairments
Drivers with physical impairments, which affect their ability to safely operate CMVs, must obtain a "variance" from their State in order to be approved to drive commercially. The variance document must be carried with the commercial driver whenever they are operating a commercial motor vehicle. A Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) is a special type of "variance" required for drivers with impaired or missing limbs (e.g., a hand or finger, an arm, foot, or leg). Drivers with missing limbs, if eligible, must obtain an SPE certificate. The commercial driver must always carry the SPE certificate at all times.

• Hearing Impairment Resources

The document contains the requirements for any special equipment that the driver must be wearing or the commercial vehicle must possess in order to be operated by that driver. Click on the link below for more information.

• Skills Performance Evaluation

Updated: Thursday, January 25, 2018
Skill Performance Evaluation Program

• Medical Requirements FAQs

• Medical Program

Related Documents

• State-by-State Instructions for Submitting Medical Certificates for CDL Drivers to the State Agencies
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate Enforcement

Contact Us
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Medical Program

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC, DC 20590
United States
FMCSAMedical@dot.gov





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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

855-368-4200

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