How long is a CDL medical card good for?

FMCSA says a DOT physical exam is valid for up to 24 months. The medical examiner can issue a certificate for less than 24 months, for example to monitor a condition. Your certificate shows the length the examiner gave you.

Who can give me the DOT physical?

The exam must be done by a medical examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (49 CFR 391.43). You can search the registry on the National Registry website.

Will I pass the exam?

This guide cannot say. The rule sets the physical standards, and the certified medical examiner makes the decision at your exam. If you have a health question, ask a certified examiner.

CDL Medical Card: What It Is and How to Get One

The DOT medical card is the medical examiner's certificate. If federal medical rules apply to your driving, you need one, and you get it from a DOT physical with a certified medical examiner. FMCSA says that exam is valid for up to 24 months.

This guide reports what the federal rules say. It is not medical advice. Ask a certified medical examiner about your health.

Who needs a medical examiner's certificate?

The rule in 49 CFR 391.41 says a person subject to part 391 must not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless medically certified as physically qualified. Section 391.45 lists who must be examined, including any person who has not yet been examined and certified.

When you apply for a CLP or CDL, you tell the state what kind of driving you do or expect to do. The rule (49 CFR 383.71) gives four choices:

Your choice	What it means in plain words
Non-excepted interstate	You drive, or expect to drive, across state lines. The federal medical rules apply to you, and you need a medical examiner's certificate.
Excepted interstate	You drive across state lines, but only in work the rules list as excepted. You are not required to get the certificate.
Non-excepted intrastate	You drive only inside one state. Your state's driver rules apply.
Excepted intrastate	You drive only inside one state, in work your state excepts from its driver rules.

The rule does not tell you which box fits your job. Ask your employer or your state licensing agency before you check one.

Do you need it for the permit?

The rule says that a new CLP or CDL applicant who certifies to non-excepted interstate driving must be medically examined and certified by a medical examiner. So if you pick that box, plan the exam early. Ask your state licensing agency what it wants to see and when.

How do you give it to the state?

Since June 23, 2025, the rule says the state posts your "certified" status after it gets an electronic copy of the certificate from FMCSA. FMCSA says the National Registry sends this information to state licensing agencies.

Some states were late. FMCSA's guidance says states that have not set this up still use paper certificates. In that case, drivers give a paper copy of the certificate to the state licensing agency. Ask your state which way it works.

How to get your card

Decide your driving type (see the table). Ask your state if you are unsure.
Search the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners for an examiner near you. The exam must be done by a listed examiner.
Tell the examiner your state before the exam. FMCSA says examiners should check whether a state has set up the electronic system.
Go to the exam. The examiner records the results on the Medical Examination Report form.
If the examiner finds you qualified, the examiner completes a certificate. Since June 23, 2025, the rule has the examiner hand you the original only when you will not drive a vehicle that needs a CLP or CDL. For CLP and CDL drivers, the results go to FMCSA, which sends them to the state.
Ask your state how it wants the certificate. If your state still uses paper, FMCSA says to ask the examiner for a paper certificate and give a copy to the state.
Ask the examiner or your state for the end date of your certificate.

Try 10 exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual.

How long does it last?

The rule says a driver who has not been examined and certified in the preceding 24 months must be examined again. FMCSA says the exam is valid for up to 24 months. The examiner can issue a shorter certificate. FMCSA gives the example of monitoring a condition such as high blood pressure.

Some situations need a new exam sooner. Section 391.45 lists them, such as a driver whose ability to do normal duties has been hurt by an injury or disease. Ask the examiner what applies to you.

What do you do with it?

Give the state what it asks for. For a CLP or CDL, the state must post your medical status on your driver record.
You may not need to carry it. Since June 23, 2025, the rule says a CLP or CDL holder with a current certificate no longer needs to carry it. If you hold a medical variance document, the rule says you must still have a copy while on duty.
Know that the electronic record wins. If the FMCSA electronic record and your paper copy disagree, the rule says the electronic information controls.
Get examined again on time. To stay "certified," you must keep getting examined by a medical examiner.

What if the examiner says you do not qualify?

The rule says the examiner must tell you, and that this will be reported to FMCSA. Earlier certificates are then no longer valid. If the examiner needs more information, you have 45 days to give it, and the pending status is reported to FMCSA. Ask the examiner what comes next.

For the rest of the path, see CDL permit to license: every step in order, which CDL tests you need and how long a CDL permit is good for.