DOT Physical and your CDL

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Big John, Nov 6, 2010.

  1. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Ca. requires you to have a current medical on file with DMV in order to keep your license valid. If your medical expires, you CDL is now a Class "C". However, just go and get a medical and send it off to the State and your Class "C" will become a CDL again. You should check to see how long you can have an invalid CDL before it becomes permanent. In Az., after 1 year of inactivity, your inactive CDL will become a permanent Class "3". Then you would need to start over again.
     
    ac120 Thanks this.
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  3. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Glad I live in PA. Don't know if a valid medical card is required or not. Never been asked by my local licensing center if I had one.
     
  4. frdr

    frdr Medium Load Member

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    I found this on the internet. I am going to contact TxDOT about renewel procedures. Their website is very vague about it.
    The medical exam just makes it even more expensive to renew a CDL.
     
  5. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    It is in the works that all states are to be the same and require that when a CDL is issued, that the medical card be in effect.

    If the medical expires while the cdl is in effect, then a notice is to be sent for the current one to be put on file to reinstate it.

    Just one more problem for the driver to deal with.
     
  6. frdr

    frdr Medium Load Member

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    That sucks because the DOT medical card is only good for 24 months.
     
  7. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Some with Blood Pressure issues are less.
     
  8. Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    I believe the FMCSA is trying to make the entire process more uniform with several changes.
    They are in the process of making a list of "approved" medical providers that will be able to give the new "enhanced" physical. This is meeting with some resistance from the trucking industry and is still in the works.

    But because the current credential can be so easily forged, at the same time they want the "approved " medical facility to electronically notify the state license bureau, and eliminate the need for a second document, a medical card. it would be right on your license just like the endorsement.
     
  9. ac120

    ac120 Road Train Member

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    It doesn't matter if you drive commercially or not (I mean, DMV doesn't care if you get paid or not). I haven't driven for hire since 2001, but I keep my CDL and medical current (I like having the CDL in my wallet, I guess). No current medical means no CDL.

    When we moved from Oregon to California in 2006, I had to provide a current medical form (you can't just show them the card) and take the written exams to transfer my license. I recall only three tests: basic Class A, air brakes, doubles. Easy. I didn't bother with HazMat (I knew I wasn't going to drive again commercially and the hassle wasn't worth it). No road test.

    On the back of the green card it says, "Driver must keep this card in his or her possession at all times while driving." I think that means even when driving a car/SUV/pickup. It also says, "This card is valid only if there is a current medical examination report on file with DMV." It's not tied to whether or not you drive commercially.

    I don't know about failing and retests.
     
  10. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Oregon and california,

    that just about sums that up !!!!
     
  11. ac120

    ac120 Road Train Member

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    Forgot to mention that the CDL physical is simple: flirt with hot blonde nurse, breathe, piss, cough.
     
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