Alabama CDL and DOT Medical Card Requirements

All Alabama CDL holders are required to certify the type of commercial operation they’re engaged in.

Interstate Non-Excepted
If you choose Non-Excepted Interstate, you must, in addition to a completed self-certified application, provide the DPS with a current Federal DOT medical certificate.

Failure to submit the required forms to the Alabama Department of Public Safety will result in the cancellation of your commercial driver license.

Submitting your Medical Certificate to Alabama DPS

Submit a copy of your valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876.

By Mail:
Alabama Department of Public Safety
Driver License Division
CDL Unit
P.O. Box 1471
Montgomery, AL 36102-1471

or
Use online services to view or submit your DOT Medical Card or Self-Certification.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Drivers License Online Services

Disclaimer
Your DOT Medical Card needs to be submitted before the current one on file expires. To avoid any overlap with your driving privilege, it is recommended to submit it at least 2 weeks prior to the expiration date.

Expiration:
If your medical card expires, and you haven’t renewed it, Alabama DPS will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in non-excepted Interstate commerce. If a current medical examiners certificate and if applicable the variance (waiver) is not received within 45 days all your CDL privileges will be removed from your license.

Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES

MEDICAL EXAMINERS MUST CONTINUE TO ISSUE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES TO ALL DRIVERS

The FMCSA has requested that all medical examiners continue providing drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876, so that Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders can provide a copy to the State licensing agency, and the non-CDL drivers can provide the documentation to their employers and Federal and State enforcement officials.

The Agency is currently completing efforts to put into place an electronic system to enable medical examiners to transmit the medical certificate information from the National Registry system to the State licensing agencies.
Until that system is completed, which compliance date according FMCSA is June 23, 2025, medical examiners must continue to issue paper copies of the medical certificates to drivers who pass the medical exam.

ALL DRIVERS MUST CONTINUE TO CARRY A PAPER COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Commercial Drivers – You still need to carry a paper copy of your medical card, until FMCSA announces that this is no longer necessary.

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Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
But when it comes to State Regulations — There are 50 different sets of rules. Someone could move the goal posts at any time…

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information updated 3/15/2023

Comments

  1. Trey says December 5, 2023 at 5:56 pm

I worked for a municipal agency and never had a health card and now work for the government. Do I need a health card even though I don’t drive a truck but want to keep my CDL.

@ Trey
Most states want a valid medical card to maintain a cdl. Best to confirm with your local DLD. What all do the exam require @ Dewayne M
Basic physical examination.

I been trying to get my medical card for pass few months and had no luck bc of type of medicine I take been on the same meds since 2008 never had a problem until now. It’s been pass the 45 days since card expired will I loose my Class A just until I get the card renewed and could u please tell me what to do or who to talk to about issue with medicine I am on being issue

@ Gregory D L
What meds?

If you have ever had a less than 2 year dot card In Alabama for high blood pressure can you get back to a 2 year if you no longer need medication?

@ Michael E
Usually not. Class A cdl, federal DOT/FMCSA, wants to have it monitored yearly. Lesser class cld’s maybe. It would fall to the states requirements and guidelines.

Yes I just got home from being out of town working. I received a letter from ALEA stating my cdl was suspended or pulled cause I didn’t comply and send a dot physical. I was sure it was still in date till 2024 and it is. I was just wondering what I should I do to hopefully resolve the issue thanks !!

@ Colby h
Did ALEA receive a copy of your last medical card. Make sure your state has a copy of your most recent medical card. That may be all it is, otherwise seek guidance from your local DLD.

I got injured on job 3 months before my medical card expires and now on workers compensation. I went in to Alabama drivers center. They told me that I should put my medical card on hold before it expires. So that’s what I did because I’m scheduled to have back surgery. My question is will my cdl be suspended. Thanks.

@ Edward C
Since the DLD knows your situation, they should be pretty lenient.

I recently renewed my cdl’s, I put them on hold a few years ago. The official in the Phenix City location told me I could drive in state without a renewed medical card..
Is this true

@ Tommy H
That will be up to the state, not federal DOT/FMCSA.

I have mailed dot physical to you twice. Still not showing up on computer that you received it. First time I sent was a month before it expired. I paid the 2nd time to make sure you received it. So why is it not up dated.

@ JT
This site is for drivers questions regarding DOT/FMCSA medical certification examinations. You need to talk with your local drivers license department.

Once the medical exam has been completed and mailed to ALDOT, when can the person expect the medical card to be sent to them ?(Alabama)

@ Gayle
You should have received your medical card at the conclusion of the examination. What gets sent to ALDOT was the information that your medical card is up to date.

If your Commercial driving status as been demoted to standard license due to expired medical card once you get current medical card will your Commercial driving status be reinstated?

@ Gina
In most cases, yes. Do confirm with your local DLD though. Why is it such a problem trying to get the right information to send in your DOT information.

@ Greyhound
All DLD’s have a process to follow in regards to the information they want for your cdl. Each is a bit different, so you must ask your state for guidance.

I still have my cdl but downgraded it fron non-excepted interstate to excepted intrastate. I am currently up for off property yard driver at my job in alabama. They are saying I’m required to have a dot physical for the job. I don’t believe I will be taking one of those little yard trucks across state lines. What gives?

@ Paul A
If you do not hold a class A cdl, then you will be under the states guidelines and variances. Best bet is to check with your local DLD for guidance.

I would love for someone to email me CORRECT info to report card and certification to your division. You require this info and then give out bad info as to where and how to report it to you. Please help. Numbers are always busy and no email provided.