DOT medical card: what it is and how to get one
Plain facts from the federal rules, with the official sources at the bottom of the page.
What it is
The “DOT medical card” is the medical examiner’s certificate (form MCSA-5876). It shows that a medical examiner found you physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle (49 CFR 391.41 and 391.43).
The exam must be done by a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (49 CFR 391.43(a)).
Who needs it
Drivers of commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce (across state lines) must be medically certified as physically qualified (49 CFR 391.41(a)).
When you apply for a CLP or CDL, you tell your state which kind of driving you do. If you drive only inside one state, your state’s rules apply (49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)).
A driver with a valid commercial license from Canada or Mexico, whose license and medical status can be checked electronically, does not have to carry a U.S. medical examiner’s certificate (49 CFR 391.41(a)(1)(i), note).
How to get one
- Find a certified medical examiner near you on the FMCSA National Registry.
- Have the physical exam. The examiner records it on the Medical Examination Report (form MCSA-5875).
- If you are qualified, the examiner sends the result to FMCSA electronically, by midnight of the next day (49 CFR 391.43(g)).
- If you hold a CLP or CDL, since June 23, 2025 FMCSA sends your medical certificate information to your state electronically, and you no longer have to carry the paper certificate (49 CFR 383.71(h) and 391.41(a)(2)).
Good to know
- A certificate lasts at most 24 months. Some drivers must be examined every 12 months, for example drivers with insulin-treated diabetes or drivers certified under the alternative vision standard (49 CFR 391.45).
- If your medical certificate expires, your state marks you “not certified” within 10 days and tells you that the CDL privileges will be removed unless you get a new certificate (49 CFR 383.73(o)).
- On our driver form we only ask yes or no. We never ask about your health.
Sources (official)
- 49 CFR 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 391.43 Medical examination; certificate of physical examination (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 391.45 Persons who must be medically examined and certified (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 383.71 Driver application and certification procedures (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 383.73 State procedures, medical recordkeeping (eCFR)
- FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
Checked on 2026-10-23. Rules change: the official pages above always win.
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