Operating a commercial vehicle requires you to be at the peak of your health, and a CDL medical card is a testament to this. The DMV cannot authorize you to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) if you’re not deemed healthy to drive, which might put you and other motorists in danger. You’re also allowed to renew the medical card once it expires, but some people don’t know the exact cost of doing so.
You’ll be required to pay a standard fee of $85 to get your physical done and an additional $10 to cater for federal reporting. The physical takes approximately 30 minutes to finish and can only be done by US DOT certified exam doctors.
That’s not all, as you still need to know what happens to your CDL when the DOT card expires and what is included in the CDL physical, which you will learn if you read on.
What’s the Cost of Renewing a CDL Medical Card?
Driving a commercial vehicle can affect your health and interfere with your instincts and decision making. If you’re not up to the required standards health-wise, you’ll be a risk to other motorists, leading to accidents.
A CDL medical card is a clearance showing that you’re fit and in prime condition to operate a heavy commercial vehicle. Upon expiry, you can renew the card and would be required to pay $85 for the physical. The money is paid to the medical center you visit and is non-negotiable.
You’ll also be required to pay another $10 for federal reporting. Remember that insurance doesn’t cover this cost, and you’ll have to pay from your pocket.
The Physical takes around 30 minutes to open, and you cannot do it in any hospital. It needs to be done in US DOT certified exam centers which are open seven days a week, even during holidays. You can find a DOT exam location near you here.
How to Get a DOT Certification
You must get a DOT number, which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses to identify the driver and the truck.
As a first time applicant, you’ll need to do the following:
- Apply through the Unified Registration System
- Pay a filing fee of $300
- Wait a few hours for the application to be processed
Once you get a DOT number, you need to schedule a DOT medical exam, which you must pass. Once the doctor is satisfied with the results, they will write a recommendation letter, taking you to the final step.
The final step involves a DOT inspection of your truck to check its overall condition. If everything is in accordance with the requirements, you’ll get a DOT certificate, allowing you to operate heavy commercial vehicles.
What Happens to Your CDL when the DOT Card Expires?
Now that you know how much it costs to renew your CDL, you may be wondering what happens when either of your cards expire.
You cannot be allowed to drive a commercial vehicle once the DOT card has expired. However, the consequences will depend on the state’s regulations, with some suspending your CDL immediately while others giving you a gross period to renew your DOT card.
You should always renew your DOT card on time, as driving with an expired one might lead you into trouble. If you wait too long before renewing your DOT card, you might be forced to retake the physical test to reinstate your CDL.
There are no fines associated with an expired DOT card, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get one, as you can easily lose your job for driving with an expired DOT card.
What Does a CDL Physical Test Include?
The CDL physical test aims to prove you’re medically sound to handle and operate a commercial vehicle.
As a result, you’ll be put through these tests to determine your suitability for the job:
- Eye and ear problem – to determine if you have accurate hearing and sight to drive any time of the day
- Seizures and epilepsy – to determine your alertness when on the road
- Head and brain injuries – these are considered dangerous, and you can’t be allowed to drive when suffering from any of them
- Mental health conditions – to determine your decision-making abilities
- High blood pressure – commercial vehicle driving is exhausting, and you won’t qualify if you have this condition
Now you know everything about renewing your CDL medical card.
Outro
You’ll be required to pay $85 to renew your CDL medical card and an extra $10 for federal reporting. It takes half an hour to get the card ready, and it can only be done in US DOT certified locations. The cost is not covered by insurance. The CDL physical test includes hearing, sight, mental health, and high blood pressure testing.