Once you receive your first DOT medical card, you have to renew it yearly so your company and the DMV can ensure you are in good enough health to still drive a commercial motor vehicle. If you don’t, you could risk losing your trucking job or even face legal action when caught without valid certifications. So, how can you renew your DOT medical card?
All you have to do when renewing your DOT medical card is undergo another physical exam through a certified DOT medical examiner to receive the certificates needed to continue holding your CDL. If a medical issue has surfaced since your last exam, you may need to be monitored.
Renewing your DOT medical card isn’t difficult unless you let it expire and fail to renew it before the grace period is over. This can usually result in your license being suspended or revoked and then you would need to not only renew your DOT card but also work with the DMV to reinstate your license. Keep reading to find out more.
Renewing Your DOT Medical Card
Renewing your DOT medical card isn’t difficult or even frustrating, it’s simply about remembering when it expires, remembering to schedule an appointment for another physical exam, and turning your certificate into the DMV so they can update your licensing.
Since so many employers require the DOT medical card info to also be turned into them, they also usually have great programs to help remind their employees when their DOT cards expire. This cuts down on license suspension and an interruption of work productivity.
When Should I Renew My DOT Medical Card?
While you obviously need to renew your DOT card when it expires, there are a few more instances that may require you to get another physical assessment and renew your card or certificate.
When You Have a DOT Medical Exam
When you first have a medical exam, your medical provider will provide you with a certificate that is good for 15-30 days from the date of your medical exam. Failure to provide that certificate to your DMV or licensing process would result in the certificate being expired and you need to redo a physical exam.
When Transferring Your License to a Different State
Depending on your state laws, you may need to renew your DOT medical card when trying to transfer your license from one state to another, or when trying to obtain a higher class CDL. This can also depend on your employer.
When Your Medical Status Changes
You may also need to renew your DOT medical card if you end up being diagnosed with some type of illness or injury that changes your medical status.
Some injuries or effects from illnesses can cause you to receive a certificate with a notice that you are being monitored until the issue resolves itself, or in some cases, certain injuries prohibit you from passing the medical exam or obtaining a CDL at all.
When Your DOT Medical Card Expires
When your DOT medical card expires, depending on which state you live in, you may have a longer or shorter grace period to renew and submit your certificate before your licenses become suspended. If you submit your paperwork before that grace period ends, you should have no issue continuing to operate a commercial vehicle.
However, if you do not get your paperwork in after your card expires before any grace period ends, you will likely have to deal with a suspended license, or in some states having to reapply for a whole new CDL license.
It’s always best to try and schedule your physical exams a few weeks before your DOT card expires just so you have plenty of time to submit everything before your license becomes affected.
Is There a Grace Period for Expired DOT Medical Card?
Now that you know everything about when to renew your DOT medical card, you may be wondering if there is a grace period for renewing it.
You can contact your local DMV to figure out what their specific grace periods and requirements are for the renewal of DOT medical cards, as well as the process for fixing any issues if a license is suspended or revoked due to a DOT problem.
This can help you prepare for any possible issues and hopefully avoid any future issues.
Final Thoughts
Renewing your DOT medical card is necessary every year or every two years depending on where you live and your employer’s requirements. While renewal isn’t a hard process, usually it is easily forgotten until your license is suspended.
Simply doing your research and figuring out how long your DOT card is good for and if the DMV offers any grace period for renewal can help you to avoid future issues and problems with your license.
