Please note: Fundamental Labor Strategies is a truck driver leasing company. We cannot assist you in acquiring a DOT card. This is information for educational purposes.
All commercial licensed drivers must be medically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle. Not only does this ensure the driver’s safety, but also the safety of the people sharing the road. Driving a vehicle over 5 tons requires a special set of skills, and being medically fit is an important part of that.
Below is important information and steps for obtaining a CDL medical card:
- Medical Exam. In order to be medically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle, a driver must complete a physical exam performed by a certified medical examiner. To find an examiner near you, a national registry of medical examiners can be found here.
- If a driver is medically qualified, they will be issued a medical card with either a 3-month, 12-month, or 24-month expiration. At Fundamental Labor Strategies, we require at least a 12-month certification to drive with us.
- Drivers should always obtain a copy of the medical card after passing the physical exam. If the examiner does not give them one, they should ask for it.
- Drivers should always carry their valid medical card with them. While it is technically not required once you self-certify, some states may have issues retrieving this information.
- If a driver is medically qualified, they will be issued a medical card with either a 3-month, 12-month, or 24-month expiration. At Fundamental Labor Strategies, we require at least a 12-month certification to drive with us.
- Self-Certification. Once the medical certificate is issued, drivers need to update their records with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the state in which they live and hold their CDL. This allows each state, as well as motor carriers, to track and make sure the drivers are medically qualified to drive. Additionally, even if you are not required to have a CDL, you may still need a Medical Examiner’s Certificate if you drive commercially.
Important note: effective June 23, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration changed how commercial driver medical examiner certification information is collected, shared, and stored. These new guidelines will require all certified medical examiners to electronically submit medical exam results directly to the FMCSA, which will then forward them to the state driver licensing agencies. Because of this, some states now no longer accept the medical certification in person, but it’s important to check the state requirements for where you are licensed.
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- PA – Self-Certification
- NJ – Self Certification
- NY – Self Certification
- DE – Self Certification
- MD – Self Certification
- Regardless of how often a driver gets a new med card, the most recent medical card is the valid card, and the driver must carry that card and self-certify with that card.
- The driver has up to 14 days from when his/her last medical card expires to self-certify with their new medical card; otherwise, their driver’s license will be downgraded
- When self-certifying for the first time, the driver must select whether they will operate in interstate or intrastate commerce and are excepted or non-excepted from Federal DOT Requirements.
- Interstate: the driver can operate within multiple states.
- Non-excepted Interstate: you must meet the Federal DOT Medical Card requirements. FLS requires this form of certification.
- Excepted Interstate: you do not have to meet the Federal DOT Medical Card requirements.
- Intrastate: the driver can only operate within the state where they hold their CDL.
- Non-excepted Intrastate: you must meet the Federal DOT Medical Card requirements
- Excepted Intrastate: you do not have to meet the Federal DOT Medical Card requirements
- Interstate: the driver can operate within multiple states.
Once a driver has received a valid medical card and has self-certified their MVR with the DMV, they may begin driving.