Good for you! You’ve got your CDL and you just passed your DOT physical. All that’s left is to get a copy of your CDL medical card to keep in your rig when you hit the road with a new load. If this is your first time driving a big rig, you may be wondering what the CDL medical card actually looks like?
A CDL Medical Card, or Medical Examiner’s Certificate, is a one page document that indicates that a driver has been determined as physically fit to drive a big rig. Any medical restrictions are noted and the document is signed by a certified DOT examiner.
Since the DOT card is an important part of your complete certification to drive a semi-truck, let’s take a look at what information you can expect to find on this critical piece of paper.
The Information on a CDL Medical Card
The primary purpose of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) is to ensure the safety of commercial drivers and the motoring public they share the highways with. As part of that initiative, every driver is required to carry a current CDL Medical Card, known by some truckers as a DOT Medical Card.
FMCSA Form MCSA-5876, or a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), is the official name of the written evidence that a driver has been deemed physically fit to drive a big rig.
Even though this form is only one page long and contains pretty basic information within its four boxes, it is an extremely important piece of paper. Without it, a driver cannot prove he has met all the medical qualifications and been certified to operate a big rig. Let’s take a look at what’s included on the Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
Header
The header in small print at the top of the page lists the form’s FMCSA number and also its OMB number of 2126-0006. The current expiration date is shown as today’s date in the year 2025.
First Box: Disclaimer
At the very top of the page you’ll see a gray box offering a “Public Burden Statement” as well as giving the title of the document: Medical Examiner’s Certificate (for Commercial Driver Medical Certification).
The statement provides specific details about the collection of information and where to address any concerns.
Second Box: Certification and Restrictions
In the red box, the medical examiner certifies that he/she has examined the indicated person (first and last name listed) and found them qualified to drive according to FMCSA regulation 49 CFR 391.41-391.49.
They must check one of the following boxes to indicate whether driving privileges are limited based on medical restrictions or state variances. In addition, the examiner must choose all restrictions that apply from the following list:
- Wearing corrective lenses
- Wearing hearing aids
- Accompanied by a certain type of waiver or exemption (blank must be filled in)
- Accompanied by a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate
- Driving within an exempt intracity zone
- Qualified by operation of Vision Waiver Study
- Grandfathered from state requirements
The MEC’s expiration date is listed in the lower right corner of this box. There is also a declaration that the medical examiner verifies the medical results of the DOT physical to be accurate and complete. A copy of the actual Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875 is then attached to the certificate and is kept on file by the examiner.
Third Box: Medical Examiner Information
The third box contains information about the medical practitioner who performed the exam and is issuing the MEC.
This includes:
- Name
- Signature
- State License, Certificate, or Registration Number
- Telephone Number
- Type of Medical Personnel: MD, DO, Physician’s Assistant, Chiropractor, Advance Practice Nurse, or Other
- Issuing State
- Date Certificate is Signed
- National Registry Number
Now, let’s see the next box.
Fourth Box: Driver Information
The fourth box is where the driver puts in his/her personal information.
This includes:
- Signature
- Name
- Address
- License Number
- Issuing State or Province
- Indication of type of license held or applied for: CDL or CLP
Now, let’s see who gets copies of CDL
Who Gets Copies of the CDL Medical Card?
Once the MEC has been completed, the medical examiner should keep a copy in his/her records. The MEC should also be submitted to that state’s licensing agency or SDLA using whatever method the state requires.
Drivers should carry a copy of their valid MEC, or CDL Medical Card, with them whenever they drive their big rig on the road.
Final Thoughts
The CDL Medical Card is a simple piece of paper but it contains everything you need as a driver to certify that you are qualified to drive a big rig.
