Like most truckers, you may routinely head down the highway and be gone for days at a time. That can sometimes make it difficult to keep up with all the paperwork you need to stay certified. If you find yourself caught with an expired DOT medical card, it’s a good idea to know if you have a grace period or not to renew it.
How long a driver has after a DOT medical card expires varies by state. A few states grant a short grace period before suspending the driver’s CDL while most take immediate action to cancel or downgrade CDL privileges until the medical card is renewed.
Without a current DOT medical card, big rig drivers are out of compliance with federal laws. Rather than risk income and even job loss, read on to find out how long you have to renew it.
DOT Medical Card
Since 2014, every driver who holds a CDL must specify to their State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) which of the four commercial driving categories they plan to operate a vehicle in. Those who self-certify as Interstate Non-Excepted are required to carry a DOT medical card as prescribed by federal law.
This federal law, administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), says that any commercial driver who operates across state lines in vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more has to pass a medical examination and be approved for the DOT Medical card.
What Happens When My DOT Medical Card Expires?
A DOT medical certificate or card is typically valid for two years from the issuing date and is expected to be renewed prior to its expiration date. There are specific medical conditions that warrant frequent observations, and in those cases, the medical examiner can decrease the validity period of the card to a year, or even three months.
With a few exceptions, an expired DOT medical card will result in immediate suspension or downgrading of your CDL privileges. If your medical card has expired, you should make it a priority to schedule a physical examination by a DOT-certified healthcare professional.
States with a Grace Period for Expired DOT Medical Cards
Medical card renewals vary by state. The majority of states do not provide for any type of grace period after a DOT medical card expires. Once the validity period has ended, you are subject to license restrictions or even revocation. A few states offer a penalty-free renewal period while another short list of states require a complete do-over of your CDL testing.
States with a grace period for expired DOT medical cards include:
| State | Grace Period | Immediate Action Against CDL | Long-Term Action Against CDL |
| Arkansas | 60 days | Downgraded to non-certified | Canceled after 60 days |
| Colorado | 10 days | Downgraded to NOT after 10 days | Canceled after 23 days |
| Hawaii | 53 days | None | Downgraded to non-commercial |
| Indiana | 30 days | Downgraded to non-certified | Canceled after 30 days |
| Kansas | 60 days | Downgraded to non-certified | Revoked after 60 days |
| Kentucky | 12 months | None | CDL & vision retest required after 1 year; Start over after 5 years |
| Massachusetts | 60 days | Downgraded to Class D after 60 days | Retest after 1 year |
| Montana | 10 days | Downgraded to non-certified and non-commercial | |
| New Jersey | 10 days | None | Downgraded to basic license after 30 days |
| New York | 55 days | Downgraded to non-certified | Canceled after 55 days |
| Utah | 45 days | None | Canceled |
| Virginia | 30 days | Downgraded to non-certified | Canceled after 30 days |
Now, let’s take a look at states without a grace period.
States That Require Reapplying when DOT Medical Card Is Expired
The regulations in a few states specifically state that a driver must reapply for a new CDL if the medical requirement is not met by the deadline.
They are:
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Wyoming
The rest of the states typically downgrade the driver’s commercial license to a non-certified status until he passes a new medical exam and receives a new DOT medical card.
How Do I Renew My DOT Medical Card?
Now that you know in certain states you’ll need to renew your card after it expires to be able to proceed with your job, you may be wondering how to do this.
To renew your DOT medical card, follow these steps:
- Schedule a physical examination with a DOT-certified health practitioner.
- Screen your vital statistics
- Screen your vision
- Screen your hearing
- Inform the examiner of your personal medical history
- Mention any current problems you’re having or medications you’re taking
Now you know everything about how long you have to renew your DOT medical card after it expires.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to understand that, even if your physical health has not changed, you still have to go through the process to renew your DOT medical card. Letting your card expire puts your big rig driving career in jeopardy, and, depending on where you live, the consequences could be immediate.