CDL Medical Information

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require all Commercial Driver License holders to certify with the State’s Driver License Agency in one of the four categories below prior to the issuance or renewal of a CDL. Those certifying in non-excepted interstate or non-excepted intrastate commerce (Category A or C) must also ensure their medical examiner certificate (Med Card) is on file with the state issuing agency and that it remains current. Failure to present a valid Med Card, when required, will result in the denial of the issuance or renewal of the CDL. Failure to maintain current a valid Med Card on file may result in CDL disqualification. Visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical to learn more about medical requirements.

  1. Non-excepted Interstate – I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce and am required to maintain federal medical certification. (Med Card Required)
  2. Excepted Interstate – I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, but engage exclusively in operations that qualify me for exception from the requirement to maintain federal medical certification.
  3. Non-excepted Intrastate – I operate or expect to operate only in intrastate commerce and am required to meet state of Florida medical certification requirements. (Med Card Required)
  4. Excepted Intrastate – I operate or expect to operate only in intrastate commerce, but engage exclusively in operations that qualify me for exception from state of Florida medical certification requirements.

CDL holders can no longer claim exemption from medical certification requirements because they are not currently operating in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce. If not specifically included in category B or D above, they must maintain their medical certification or downgrade to a non-commercial license.

Note: If you self-certify in a category exempt from medical certification requirements (Category B or D) and later change to a non-exempt type of operation (Category A or C), you must recertify in the appropriate category and provide proof of valid medical certification to avoid potential enforcement actions.

Medical Certification FAQ

My CDL expires soon. What will I need to renew my license?

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations now require all drivers obtaining an original CDL, or renewing their CDL, to certify with the driver license office in one of four categories. Drivers certifying in non-excepted interstate or non-excepted intrastate commerce must also provide valid medical documentation. Certification categories are listed above.

I am not currently using my CDL and do not have a current Med Card. I want to keep my commercial license in case I hire on with a company that may require me to have one. What do I need to do?

CDL holders can no longer claim exemption from medical certification requirements because they are not currently operating in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce. If not specifically included in category B or D, you must maintain your medical certification or downgrade to a non-commercial license.

If my current job only requires me to operate intrastate, but I want the option to operate interstate, can I certify in Category A instead of C as long as I have a current Med Card?

Yes. Drivers operating only in intrastate commerce are advised to consider self-certifying in the non-excepted interstate category (Category A) if eligible. Drivers not eligible to certify in Category A include drivers under 21 years of age and drivers with certain medical conditions who do not have a federally issued medical variance. Drivers self-certifying in Category C who are not eligible to self-certify in Category A will have restrictions to intrastate commerce placed on their CDL.

I recently renewed my license and was required to provide medical certification at that time. My CDL is valid until 2022, but my Med Card expires in 2019. Will I be required to submit a new Med Card before my next renewal?

Yes. You are required to maintain current medical documentation on file. Failure to do so may result in CDL disqualification.

Once I provide the driver license agency with my Med Card, will I still need to carry my Med Card?

No. Once you have provided the Med Card to the driver license agency you are not required to carry the Med Card. We suggest carrying your Med Card for at least 15 days after submission to ensure the driver record has been updated.

I am an independent operator who works for two different companies, a long haul trucking firm and a company involved in Apiarian Industries (beekeepers seasonally transporting bees – exempt from providing medical certification). Which category should I certify under?

Since you will be operating, at times, in non-excepted interstate commerce for a long haul trucking firm, you must certify in Category A – Non-excepted Interstate, and you must have a valid Med Card.

I am a CDL holder in the military who has been deployed overseas and my medical certificate is going to expire prior to my return. What will I need to do?

All CDL holders required to have a valid medical certificate must comply with the regulations in Part 383. The regulations provide no exceptions to service members on active deployment. If a service member can provide an acceptable medical certificate, his/her medical certification will continue. Otherwise, the state will have to begin the downgrade process.

Commercial Driver License

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