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The new Federal regulations also require commercial drivers to self-certify the type of driving in which they operate or expect to operate. Nearly every commercial driver, unless the type of commerce you drive qualifies as ‘Excepted’, is required to submit their valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate to PennDOT.
If you are not currently working as a professional driver, and to avoid the loss of the commercial driving designation and the requirement to apply for a learner’s permit, you may self-certify as either “Excepted Interstate” or “Excepted Intrastate” transportation. Making this change to the driving record will automatically disqualify you from operating in any form of non-excepted transportation. If and when your driving type changes, you will be required to resubmit the Self-Certification Form and submit a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
Submit the following two documents:
By Mail:
PennDOT
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 69008
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9008
By Fax:
717-783-5429
In Person:
At your local PennDOT Driver License Center.
PennDOT will mail you a receipt indicating that the Medical Examiner’s Certification and/or Self-Certification Form has been processed. You should keep this receipt.
If you self-certify “Non-Excepted” (NI or NA) you are required to keep a valid medical card on file with PennDOT. Check your medical card expiration date! If it expires within the next 60 days you should renew it, and get it updated with PennDOT before it expires.
Approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of your medical certificate, PennDOT will mail you a reminder letter. Approximately 30 days prior to the expiration date of your medical certificate, PennDOT will mail you an official downgrade notice, which emphasizes the date the commercial designation will be removed from your driver license.
A new medical card can be processed at a PennDOT Driver’s License Center as late as the day the current certificate expires to avoid the downgrade process.
Submit a legible copy (enlarge the copy to 5 inches by 7 inches) of your Medical Certificate (medical card only, not the long form) to PennDOT:
By Mail: Only if you are submitting at least 30 days before the due date.
PennDOT
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 69008
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9008
By Fax: If you are submitting less than 30 days before the due date.
717-783-5429
In Person: For immediate processing.
At your local PennDOT Driver License Center.
Other Contact Information:
Website: www.dmv.state.pa.us
Commercial Driver’s Information Center
Commercial Driver Information Phone: 717-412-5300 or 800-932-4600
Notice To Medical Examiners
PennDOT notice to medical examiners regarding Medical Examiner’s Certificate
MEDICAL EXAMINERS MUST CONTINUE TO ISSUE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES TO ALL DRIVERS
The FMCSA has requested that all medical examiners continue providing drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876, so that Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders can provide a copy to the State licensing agency, and the non-CDL drivers can provide the documentation to their employers and Federal and State enforcement officials.
The Agency is currently completing efforts to put into place an electronic system to enable medical examiners to transmit the medical certificate information from the National Registry system to the State licensing agencies.
Until that system is completed, which compliance date according FMCSA is June 23, 2025, medical examiners must continue to issue paper copies of the medical certificates to drivers who pass the medical exam.
ALL DRIVERS MUST CONTINUE TO CARRY A PAPER COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Commercial Drivers – You still need to carry a paper copy of your medical card, until FMCSA announces that this is no longer necessary.
Your Feedback Is WelcomeDealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
But when it comes to State Regulations — There are 50 different sets of rules. Someone could move the goal posts at any time…
To help us all avoid the black eye experience — AARGH! —
Please leave your feedback about your experience in this State.
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I currently have Cdl but I dont require It at this time-if I wish to retain it do I still have to get a medical card even if I don’t drive a Cdl required vehicle at this time but maybe I win retirement part time
@ Kevin
Most states require a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Best to confirm with your local DLD.
