​​Self-Certification/Medical Examiner’s Certification Frequently Asked Questions

The new federal regulations require commercial drivers to self-certify the type of driving in which they operate or expect to operate, i.e., Non-excepted Interstate, Non-excepted Intrastate, Excepted Interstate, or Excepted Intrastate. The self-certification process will identify commercial drivers that operate in Non-excepted transportation, therefore identifying which drivers are required  to have their valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) on record with PennDOT.  Commercial drivers may use PennDOT’s Self-Certification Form (DL-11CD), which can be obtained online by visiting the Commercial Driver Information Center.

The Federal regulations categorize commercial driving into four groups: Non-excepted Interstate, Non-excepted Intrastate, Excepted Interstate, or Excepted Intrastate.

Every driver who currently has a commercial driver’s license, as well as every driver applying for a commercial learner’s permit, must submit a Self-Certification Form. Those commercial drivers who engage in Non-excepted transportation are also required to submit a copy of their valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) to PennDOT.

No. Only CDL holders that operate in “Non-excepted” transportation are required.  

A person who must certify that he or she operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce, is both subject to and meets the qualification requirements under 49 CFR part 391, and is required to obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card). When circumstances allow, it is recommended that Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) that expire within the next six (6) months be renewed prior to PennDOT receiving electronically via the National Registry.  Drivers engaging in Non-excepted transportation must be at least 21 years of age.

• All class A, B and C commercial drivers who engage in interstate commerce while transporting goods or providing services.
• All class A, B and C commercial drivers who have been granted a federal vision or diabetes exemption, or who have successfully completed a Skills Performance Evaluation (SPE).
• School bus drivers employed by a school transportation provider/contractor who transport students for any purpose other than home to school/school to home, i.e., out of state for a field trip.

A person who must certify that he or she operates or expects to operate only in intrastate commerce, is both subject to and meets the qualification requirements under Title 67, Chapter 231, and is required to obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card). When circumstances allow, it is recommended that Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) that expire within the next six (6) months be renewed prior to PennDOT receiving.

• All class A, B and C commercial drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles in intrastate commerce while transporting goods or providing services.
• Drivers who transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers who transport personal property for compensation.
• Drivers of migrant workers (must meet minimum medical standards only; 49 CFR 398.3).

A person must certify that he or she operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce, but engages exclusively in transportation or operations excepted under 49 CFR 390.3(f), 391.2, and 391.68 or 398.3 from all or parts of the qualification requirements of 49 CFR part 391, and is therefore not required to obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card):

• Drivers who are employed by the Federal government, a state, or any political subdivision of a state who engage in interstate commerce.
• School bus drivers employed by a school district who transport students for any purpose other than home to school/school to home, i.e., out of state field trip. *School bus drivers are still required to comply with the School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination required by Title 67, Chapter 71.
• School bus drivers employed by either a school district or a school transportation provider/contractor who during normal home to school/school to home trips transport students out of state. *School bus drivers are still required to comply with the School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination required by Title 67, Chapter 71.
• Drivers who operate vehicles in interstate commerce that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 to 26,000 lbs., do not transport hazardous materials that require placarding, and are not designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver. *Although not tied to the commercial license, drivers of these vehicles are required to carry a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card).
• Drivers who occasionally transport personal property not for compensation, nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise, who engage in interstate commerce.
• Drivers who transport human corpses or sick and injured persons across state lines.
• Drivers who operate fire trucks and rescue vehicles while involved in emergency and related operations who engage in interstate commerce.
• Drivers who operate 9 to 15 passenger vans (including the driver) weighing less than 26,001 GVWR not for compensation who engage in interstate commerce.
• Drivers who work in the apiarian industry (Beekeepers) who engage in interstate commerce.
• Drivers who work in farm custom operations (Custom Harvesters) who engage in interstate commerce.
• Drivers of farm vehicles who engage in interstate commerce while operating within a 150-mile radius of the farm.
• Drivers who transport passengers for non-business related purposes and not for compensation who engage in interstate commerce, i.e., organizations exempt from the Internal Revenue Code that provide transportation for their members.
• Drivers who operate in interstate commerce while delivering emergency supplies of propane winter heating fuel or responding to a pipeline emergency.

A person must certify that he or she operates in intrastate commerce, but engages exclusively in transportation or operations excepted from all or parts of the federal and state driver qualification requirements:

• Drivers who are employed by the Federal government, a state, or any political subdivision of a state who operate in Intrastate Commerce.
• Inspection mechanics who operate within a 25-mile radius of the maintenance facility for the purpose of conducting a road test as required under Chapter 175 (relating to vehicle equipment and inspection).
• School bus drivers who transport students for any purpose within the boundaries of Pennsylvania. *School bus drivers are still required to comply with the School Bus Driver’s Physical Examination required by Title 67, Chapter 71.
• Drivers who operate vehicles in intrastate commerce that have a GVWR of 17,001 to 26,000 lbs., do not transport hazardous materials that require placarding, and are not designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver. *Although not tied to the commercial license, drivers of these vehicles are required to carry a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card).
• Drivers who occasionally transport personal property not for compensation, nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise, in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers who transport human corpses or sick and injured persons in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers who operate fire trucks and rescue vehicles while involved in emergency and related operations in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers who operate 9 to 15 passenger vans (including the driver) weighing less than 26,001 GVWR not for compensation in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers who work in the apiarian industry (Beekeepers) and operate in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers who work in farm custom operations (Custom Harvesters) and operate in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers of farm vehicles who engage in intrastate commerce.
• Drivers who transport passengers for non-business related purposes and not for compensation in intrastate commerce, i.e., organizations exempt from the Internal Revenue Code, that provide transportation for their members.
• Drivers who operate in intrastate commerce while delivering emergency supplies of propane winter heating fuel or responding to a pipeline emergency.

Since there will be times where a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) is required, their driving record must reflect the Non-excepted driving type. When certifying that they operate in Non-excepted transportation, they will also be required to have a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) on record with PennDOT.

Nearly every commercial driver, with limited exception, is required to have their valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) on record with PennDOT. (When circumstances allow, it is recommended that you renew your Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) if it expires within the next six (6) months.) The Federal regulations require interstate commercial drivers to meet specific physical and mental standards in order to be certified to operate in interstate commerce. In addition, Pennsylvania regulations have adopted the Federal physical and mental standards for commercial drivers operating in intrastate commerce. Driver’s engaged in Excepted transportation, including but not limited to school bus drivers, government employees, beekeepers (apiarists), etc., do not have to have a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) to PennDOT. This is not a new requirement. The only things that are changing are:

• The required medical examination is now tied to licensure; and
• The driving-type and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) information will be recorded as part of the driving record and outlined on the Pennsylvania driver abstract.

Note: non-CDL holders who require a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) will still be required to carry a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card).

The federal physical qualifications and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) can be obtained from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website under rules and regulations at the top of the page.

Yes. PennDOT will accept the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) completed by an out-of-state physician who is listed on the National Registry, as long as it is not expired.

On Dec.1, 2008, the federal motor carrier safety administration published new regulations that link the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) to commercial licensure. This gives the driver greater incentive to renew the medical certification in a timely fashion because the penalty for failing to renew the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) is the loss of the commercial driving privilege.

Effective June 23, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will electronically transmit examination results and restriction information for commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders from the National Registry directly to PennDOT. 

Commercial drivers who are exempt from carrying the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) (including but not limited to school bus drivers, government employees, beekeepers (apiarists), etc.) Are exempt from having  the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) on record with PennDOT, as long as they self-certify to PennDOT that they are engaged in “Excepted Interstate” or “Excepted Intrastate” transportation.

PennDOT will mail the CDL holder a receipt indicating that the Medical Examiner’s Certification information and/or Self-Certification Form has been processed. This receipt should be retained.

The Self-Certification Driving Type and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) information, if applicable, will appear on the driver abstract. In addition, the CDL holder may provide their employer with a copy of the receipt indicating the date that the information was processed by PennDOT.

Yes, otherwise the medical certification status will be changed to not-certified and downgrade procedures will be initiated (commercial driver’s designation will be removed within 45 days and downgraded to a non-commercial driver’s license) upon restoration. If their driving privilege is restored prior to the electronic submission of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) and/or Self-Certification Form, and the license is not expired, their valid commercial driver’s license will be restored. However, the following business day, PennDOT will change the medical certification status to not-certified and initiate downgrade procedures. Once downgrade procedures have been initiated, the commercial designation will be removed and a duplicate non-commercial driver’s license issued if a new Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT Physical Card) is not provided within 45 days. 

All of the information from the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) will be recorded on the official driving record, however, not everyone will have access to all of the information.

• If the CDL holder, their employer or prospective employer accesses the driving record, all of the information that appears on the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) will appear on the driver abstract.
• If an insurance company or law enforcement accesses the CDL holder’s driving record, information is limited. They will only see the driving type, and if the CDL holder operates in Non-excepted commerce and has a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) on file with PennDOT. The driver abstract will indicate that the CDL holder is “certified” and list any applicable commercial medical restrictions, i.e., corrective lenses, hearing aid, etc.

Yes, if a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) indicates that a driver must wear corrective lenses, a hearing aid, or needs a variance (vision or diabetic), that information will be recorded as a CDL restriction. Below is a list of all CDL restrictions that could be placed on a commercial driver’s license:

A - Restricts the driver to driving within an exempt intracity zone (49 CFR §391.62). *
B/M - Allows a driver to operate a class B or class C bus.
C/N - Limits a driver to only operate a class C bus.
G - Indicates the driver is qualified medically by operation of 49 CFR §391.64. *
L - Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes.
Q - Requires the driver to wear corrective lenses.
V - Indicates the driver has been issued a medical variance.
Y - Requires the driver to wear a hearing aid(s).
E - Restricts the driver from driving manual transmission commercial vehicles.
K - Limits a driver to only operate in intrastate commerce.
O - Restricts the driver from driving a tractor trailer.
Z - Prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle with full air brakes

*Federal regulations require all individuals qualifying with an “A” or “G” restriction to have a physical (new Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card)) at least every 12 months.

Once PennDOT is notified that an individual’s medical certification has been rescinded, the commercial driving designation will be immediately removed (downgraded) and a non-commercial driver’s license will be issued. In addition to being mailed a non-commercial driver’s license, the individual will be notified in writing of the removal of the commercial driving designation. To regain the commercial driving designation, the individual may be required to apply for a commercial learner’s permit and complete all required testing and training, if applicable.

Drivers who have been qualified for a medical variance will have the issue and expiration date of the variance appear as part of the driving record. The waiver type, i.e., vision deficiency or diabetes mellitus, will not appear on the record. The driver will need to continue to carry the variance documentation issued by FMCSA with them while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

Yes. Approximately 90 and 30 days prior to the expiration date of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card), PennDOT will mail a reminder letter.

Yes. Approximately 90 and 30 days prior to the expiration date of the medical variance, PennDOT will mail a reminder letter.

Only school bus drivers who are engaged in non-excepted transportation are required to comply with the medical examiner’s certification. Typically, this would be a school bus driver employed by a school bus contractor who is taking students on an out-of-state field trip. (according to the Federal regulations, school bus drivers who are employed by a school district and taking students on an out-of-state field trip are exempt from the Medical Examiner’s Certification.) However, school bus driver regulations, Chapter 71, establish minimum mental and physical requirements. School bus drivers will continue to carry their annual Physician’s Certificate, School Bus Driver Endorsement Card, and a valid Commercial Driver’s License with the “S” and “P” endorsements.

Working for an employer who has a contract with a government agency will not affect the requirement to comply with the medical qualifications outlined in the Federal regulations. If you work in Non-excepted commerce, then the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) is required.

If the goods being transported fall into the definition of interstate commerce, they are operating in Non-excepted Interstate commerce even though they are only driving within the boundaries of Pennsylvania. They are required to have a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) on record with PennDOT.

If the goods being transported fall into the definition of intrastate commerce (from the shipper’s shipping point to the shipper’s intended destination), they are operating in Non-excepted Intrastate commerce. They are required to submit a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) to PennDOT.

Yes. To avoid the removal of the commercial driving designation and the requirement to apply for the commercial learner’s permit, the CDL holder must change their driving type using the Self-Certification Form (DL-11CD) to “Excepted Interstate” or “Excepted Intrastate” transportation.

Please note that making this change to the driving record will automatically disqualify the CDL holder from operating in any form of Non-excepted transportation. Once they are able to renew their Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card), they must submit it along with an updated Self-Certification Form (DL-11CD).

No. PennDOT will not charge any additional fees to change the driving type. The update is made to the driving record only. CDL holders will not be issued a new commercial driver’s license.

If the CDL holder is submitting the required form(s) at least 30 days before the due date, it can be mailed to PennDOT at the following address:

PennDOT
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 69008
Harrisburg, PA 17106 - 9008

If the CDL holder is submitting the required form(s) less than 30 days before the due date, it can be faxed to PennDOT at (717) 783-5429, emailed to CDLmedscert@pa.gov, or hand delivered to your local PennDOT Driver License Center for processing.

Please note the Medical Examiners Certificate must be sent electronically from National Registry.  Customers can no longer submit a paper copy to PennDOT. 

It depends on the self-certified driving type. If a CDL holder is a Non-excepted interstate driver, the Federal regulations require the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) to capture and store the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) information. During the process of transferring their Pennsylvania driver’s license to the new state of residence, CDLIS will provide the new state with the stored information. (please note that CDLIS is governed by and in compliance with state and Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act standards.)

If a CDL holder is a Non-excepted Intrastate driver and will continue to be operating in Non-excepted Intrastate commerce in their new state of residence, they will need to present their Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Physical Card) when they transfer into that state.

NRII refers to the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration final rule that FMCSA published in 2015. This rule requires medical examiners to use specific forms for documenting the physical qualification examination and for issuing the medical certificate to qualified drivers. It updated the reporting requirements for medical examiners from every 30 days to midnight (local time) of the next calendar day following the examination. In addition, the rule requires the electronic transmission of examination results (medically qualified, medically unqualified, and voided) and additional information (e.g., corrective lenses, hearing aid, medical exemption, skill performance evaluation certificate, etc.) from examinations performed for commercial learner’s permit (CLP) applicants and commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders from FMCSA’s National Registry to the State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs). Those SDLAs will post the information on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) driver motor vehicle record (MVR).

CDL and CLP holders will no longer be issued the original/paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA-5876, from the medical examiner unless they request a copy for their records. 

CDL and CLP holders will no longer be required to submit a paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA-5876, to their SDLA because their physical qualification examination results (medically qualified, medically unqualified, and voided) will be electronically transmitted from FMCSA’s National Registry to the SDLA and posted on the driver’s record. 

Official proof of medical certification for these drivers will be the electronic results transmitted to the SDLA. Original/paper Medical Examiner’s Certificates, Form MCSA-5876, from the medical examiner cannot be used as proof of medical certification by the driver.