How long is a DOT medical card valid?

A driver must be re-examined and certified if he or she has not been certified during the preceding 24 months. Some drivers must be re-certified every 12 months (49 CFR 391.45).

Who can do the DOT medical exam?

A medical examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. A licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist may do the vision part (49 CFR 391.43).

Do CDL drivers still carry the medical card?

Since June 23, 2025, a CDL or CLP holder with a current medical certification no longer needs to carry the medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 391.41(a)(2)).

What must the motor carrier keep?

The medical examiner's certificate or a legible copy in the driver qualification file; for CDL holders, the CDLIS motor vehicle record from the current licensing State (49 CFR 391.51(b)(6)).

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep every driver's DOT medical certification current

A driver may not operate a commercial motor vehicle without being medically certified by an examiner on FMCSA's National Registry (49 CFR 391.41 and 391.43). The driver must be re-examined if not certified within the preceding 24 months; some drivers need re-certification every 12 months (49 CFR 391.45).

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, a person must not operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) unless he or she is medically certified as physically qualified to do so (49 CFR 391.41). The medical examination must be done by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (49 CFR 391.43).

A driver must be examined and certified again if he or she has not been certified during the preceding 24 months (49 CFR 391.45(b)). Some drivers must be re-certified every 12 months: drivers who work only in an exempt intracity zone, drivers with insulin-treated diabetes certified under 49 CFR 391.46, and drivers certified under the vision standard in 49 CFR 391.44.

Since June 23, 2025, CDL and CLP holders no longer need to carry the medical examiner's certificate, and the examiner issues the paper certificate only to drivers who will not operate a CMV that requires a CDL or CLP (49 CFR 391.41(a)(2) and 391.43(g)(2)). The 24-month re-certification rule still applies to all of them.

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At a glance

Rule	49 CFR Part 391, Subpart E (FMCSA)
Examined by	A medical examiner on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
Re-certification	At least every 24 months
Every 12 months	Exempt intracity zone drivers; insulin-treated diabetes (391.46); vision standard (391.44)
Carrier records	Certificate, or for CDL holders the CDLIS driving record, in the driver qualification file

Who is responsible?

The driver must be medically certified. The motor carrier must not let a person drive a CMV unless that person is qualified (49 CFR 391.11), and must keep the medical examiner's certificate, or for CDL holders the CDLIS motor vehicle record, in each driver's qualification file (49 CFR 391.51).

Examined but not qualified

Since June 23, 2025, if the medical examiner finds that a driver is not physically qualified, all medical examiner's certificates previously issued to that driver are no longer valid (49 CFR 391.43(g)(3)). Such a driver must be examined and certified again before driving a CMV (49 CFR 391.45(h)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each driver and record the expiry date of their medical certification.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day, so the driver has time to book a registered medical examiner.
Assign a responsible person (for example your safety or compliance manager) for each driver so the right person gets the reminder.
If a certification passes its expiry date, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask the driver to upload the new certificate through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a DOT medical card valid?: A driver must be re-examined and certified if he or she has not been certified during the preceding 24 months. Some drivers must be re-certified every 12 months (49 CFR 391.45).
Who can do the DOT medical exam?: A medical examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. A licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist may do the vision part (49 CFR 391.43).
Do CDL drivers still carry the medical card?: Since June 23, 2025, a CDL or CLP holder with a current medical certification no longer needs to carry the medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 391.41(a)(2)).
What must the motor carrier keep?: The medical examiner's certificate or a legible copy in the driver qualification file; for CDL holders, the CDLIS motor vehicle record from the current licensing State (49 CFR 391.51(b)(6)).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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