If you’re like me, you earned your CDL and qualified for the medical certificate with no problem – and have been driving a big rig for a while now. At some point, it may cross your mind, like it did mine, that it could be time for my DOT card to expire. You wonder how long you have to renew your DOT medical card.
A DOT medical card is valid for two years, unless a driver has certain medical conditions requiring more frequent examination and certification. Some states offer a grace period for renewal, while others take immediate action to suspend a driver upon the card’s expiration.
The DOT medical card is crucial in a big rig driver’s ability to stay on the road. Keeping the medical certificate means knowing how long you have to renew it.
DOT Medical Card
Part of holding a valid commercial driving license, or CDL, includes getting a medical certificate and keeping it current. Without an up-to-date DOT medical card, big rig drivers are at risk of suspension or loss of their hard-earned CDL, and with it, the possible loss of their job.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) requires all commercial drivers who cross state lines operating a semi-truck with a maximum gross weight of 10,000 pounds to hold a current medical certificate, or DOT Medical card.
Once a driver passes the initial physical examination at a certified DOT location, the medical examiner will issue the medical certificate.
How Long Is a DOT Card Valid?
Now that you know who requires a DOT medical card, you may be wondering how long these cards are valid for.
The DOT medical card is usually valid for two years from the date of issue, and the driver is responsible for submitting the certificate to his state’s licensing agency. However, some conditions may require more frequent examination, and the DOT card will reflect that shorter expiration date.
These include:
- Hypertension
- Heart Disease
- Qualification in original diabetes and vision program
- New insulin and vision exemption program
- Diabetes mellitus
- Sleep disorders
Now, let’s see how each state handles the renewal period below.
How Does Each State Handle the Renewal Period?
States handle renewals differently. Some allow a grace period after the expiration of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) to allow time to complete a new medical exam and submit the results. Other states immediately cancel or suspend CDL privileges if you allow your medical card to lapse.
Unless otherwise noted in this table, there is no grace period; immediate action is taken. A CDL will be reinstated once a new DOT medical card is submitted:
| State | Renewal Policy |
| Alabama | CDL canceled |
| Alaska | CDL canceled |
| Arizona | CDL suspended and revoked |
| Arkansas | Driver downgraded to non-certified. After 60 days, CDL canceled |
| California | Driving privileges downgraded to non-commercial |
| Colorado | After 10-day grace period, status is downgraded to NOT. After 23 days, CDL canceled |
| Connecticut | CDL canceled |
| Delaware | CDL canceled |
| District of Columbia | CDL canceled |
| Florida | CDL canceled and license surrendered |
| Georgia | Driver downgraded to non-certified |
| Hawaii | After 53-day grace period, CDL downgraded to non-commercial |
| Idaho | CDL canceled |
| Illinois | CDL canceled |
| Indiana | Driver downgraded to non-certified and after 30 days, CDL canceled |
| Iowa | Driver downgraded to non-certified |
| Kansas | Driver downgraded to non-certified CDL revoked after 60 days. |
| Kentucky | After 1 year, driver must retest for CDL again. |
| Louisiana | CDL canceled |
| Maine | Driver downgraded to non-certified |
| Maryland | CDL canceled |
| Massachusetts | CDL canceled and after 60 days, CDL downgraded to Class D |
| Michigan | CDL canceled |
| Minnesota | Driving privileges are downgraded to non-commercial |
| Mississippi | Driver downgraded to “not medically certified” and CDL canceled |
| Missouri | CDL canceled |
| Montana | Within 10 days of expiration date, driver downgraded to non-certified and CDL canceled |
| Nebraska | CDL canceled |
| Nevada | CDL canceled |
| New Hampshire | CDL canceled |
| New Jersey | 10-day grace period |
| New Mexico | CDL canceled |
| New York | Driver downgraded to non-certified and CDL canceled after 55 days |
| North Carolina | CDL revoked and driver must reapply |
| North Dakota | CDL canceled |
| Ohio | CDL canceled |
| Oklahoma | CDL canceled |
| Oregon | CDL canceled |
| Pennsylvania | CDL canceled |
| Rhode Island | CDL canceled immediately |
| South Carolina | CDL canceled and driver must reapply |
| South Dakota | CDL canceled |
| Tennessee | CDL canceled and driver must reapply |
| Texas | CDL canceled |
| Utah | After 45-day grace period, CDL canceled |
| Vermont | CDL suspended or downgraded |
| Virginia | Driver downgraded to non-certified and after 30 days CDL canceled |
| Washington | CDL downgraded at 12:01 a.m. on day of expiration |
| West Virginia | CDL canceled |
| Wisconsin | CDL canceled |
| Wyoming | CDL canceled and driver must reapply |
Now, let’s take a look at how to show proof you have a valid DOT medical card.
How Do I Prove I’m in Medical Compliance?
A trucker’s worst fear is getting pulled over and not having proof of being a valid driver. So, how do you prove you’re in medical compliance to drive a big rig?
You should submit your Medical Examiner’s Certificate to the state licensing agency before your current DOT medical card expires. Plus, it’s a good idea to keep a copy of the certificate in your big rig or wallet in case there’s ever a problem when you’re out on the road.
Final Thoughts
To avoid the suspension or loss of my CDL privileges, I always make it a point to know when my DOT medical card expires and plan ahead to get a new physical exam so I can recertify in a timely manner.