Did you recently get hired as a commercial driver and still trying to navigate your way through the DOT system? If so, you are not the only one who finds the process a bit confusing, especially when trying to determine where to send the DOT card once you get it.
If your DOT medical card is about to expire and you passed your DOT physical exam, you can send the medical card to your local DMV, through an online forum, snail-mail, or in person.
You must renew your DOT physical card every 24 months or else it can be revoked, and you will lose your ability to drive. Making sure you send your medical card to the appropriate places is crucial to keeping your job.
Where Do You Send in a DOT Medical Card?
Before you can send in your DOT medical card, you must get a DOT physical.
You can get this physical completed in a few different ways:
- Your primary care physician may have the ability to sign off on DOT forms
- You can go to a minute clinic
- Med-express or Urgent care
To find a DOT clinic near your search online or contact your local DMV facility. The DMV will also have this information available on their website.
You Must Pass Your DOT Physical
Your DOT physical ensures you are mentally, physically, and emotionally fit to drive commercial vehicles and long distances. Once you pass your DOT physical, you can send in your DOT medical card to maintain your commercial license status,
To do this, you must submit a signed DOT physical form to your local DMV.
How Do You Submit a DOT Medical Card to the DMV?
You have multiple options when sending your medical information over to the DMV for DOT clearance.
They include:
- Email– To submit a DOT medical card to the DMV by email, you can log onto the DMV website or call the local office and request their email information. Then simply attach the forms required into the file, put your first and last name in the subject line, and send.
- Fax- You can ask your doctor to fax your paperwork to your local DMV. You can also fax it yourself by visiting a public business that faxes customers for a fee, such as Home Depot, stables, ups, FedEx, etc.
- Mail- If you prefer to mail in the hard copy of your paperwork, call your local DMV for a good address and who to address the letter to; you can also find this information on their website.
Now, let’s take a look at how you’ll know your DOT card was received.
How Will I Know if My DOT Medical Card Was Received?
Getting your DOT paperwork to the DMV on time is extremely important and can be the difference between a renewed license and an expired one. For this reason, you want to make sure that the DMV received your completed paperwork.
To see if the DMV has your DOT medical paperwork:
- Check online: You can look online to see if your DOT medical card was received. By logging into the DMV website, click on the “my license status” and enter your personal information. Here you can see all your driving information, including driving status.
- Call: There is no reason to hesitate to call the local DMV branch and ask if your paperwork has made it over. Just make sure you are prepared with all information and be patient as you may be on hold for quite some time.
Now, let’s look at when you can send a DOT card.
When Can You Send in a DOT Medical Card?
A DOT examination is not a one-and-done event. You must have this license frequently renewed to ensure you are not a danger to yourself or anyone else on the road.
DOT cards must be renewed every 24 months. You may need to renew it more often if you have certain medical conditions such as sleep apnea, heart disease, respiratory illnesses, etc. This is often done every year after a specialist clears them to drive.
To keep and maintain a DOT medical card, you must get a DOT physical. It must be conducted by licensed medical professional examiners, and while some general physicians can sign off, more times than not, you need to see a special DOT doctor.
You must renew your DOT card to keep a valid commercial license. Allow up to two weeks for an updated certificate.
Where Else Should You Send DOT Medical Cards Besides the DMV?
It is a good idea to keep your DOT medical card in a safe place at your home, so you always have a copy. You will also need to provide this information to any employer where a DOT card is required.
Final Thoughts
In order to keep your CDL license, you must obtain and maintain a DOT medical card in order to provide proof you are a safe and reliable driver. Once you have a valid DOT medical card, you will need to send it to the DMV, your doctor, and your employer.