US · Expiry & renewal tracking
Track every driver's CDL expiry and medical certification
Under 49 CFR 383.73 a State may make a CDL valid for no more than 8 years from issuance, with the actual expiry date set by the State and shown on the license; a CLP lasts no more than 1 year. Non-excepted interstate drivers must also stay medically certified or the State downgrades the CDL within 60 days.
Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) are issued and renewed by the States under federal procedures in 49 CFR 383.73. A State must make a new, transferred, upgraded or renewed CDL valid for no more than 8 years from the date of issuance (49 CFR 383.73(b)(9), (c)(9), (d)(6) and (e)(7)). The actual expiry date is the one on the driver's license, and a State may set a shorter period. A commercial learner's permit (CLP) is valid for no more than one year from the date of issuance (49 CFR 383.73(a)(3)).
Before renewing a CDL, the State must, among other steps, have the driver make the self-certification of the type of driving they do, check the driver's record, and request information from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse; it must not renew the CDL if the Clearinghouse shows the driver is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle. A driver who wants to keep a hazardous materials endorsement must pass the hazmat knowledge test again and meet the endorsement standards (49 CFR 383.73(d)).
For drivers who certify that they operate in non-excepted interstate commerce, the State must verify that the medical certification status on the driver record is "certified" before renewing (49 CFR 383.73(d)(8)). These drivers must stay medically examined and certified; a driver generally must be re-examined if not examined and certified during the preceding 24 months (49 CFR 383.71(h)(3) and 391.45(b)). If the medical certificate expires, the State marks the driver "not certified" and must complete and record a downgrade of the CLP or CDL within 60 days (49 CFR 383.73(o)(2) and (o)(4)).
At a glance
| Rule | 49 CFR 383.73 (State procedures, FMCSA) |
|---|---|
| CDL validity | No more than 8 years from the date of issuance; the State sets the actual date |
| CLP validity | No more than 1 year from the date of issuance |
| Non-domiciled CLP/CDL (foreign domicile) | No longer than the I-94/A date or 1 year, whichever is sooner |
| Before renewal | Self-certification, driver record check, Clearinghouse query |
| Medical certificate | Non-excepted interstate drivers: status must be "certified"; re-examined at least every 24 months in general |
| Medical status lapses | State must complete the CDL downgrade within 60 days |
Some drivers must be re-examined every 12 months, for example drivers covered by 49 CFR 391.44 (vision) or 391.46 (insulin-treated diabetes) (49 CFR 391.45).
Who is responsible?
The driver holds the CDL and must provide the State with the required self-certification (49 CFR 383.71(g)). The State licensing agency issues, renews and downgrades the license (49 CFR 383.73). Employers usually track expiry dates for their drivers.
Non-domiciled CDLs have much shorter terms
For applicants domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction, the State must not issue a non-domiciled CLP or CDL valid longer than the Admit Until Date or expiry date on the applicant's I-94/A, or 1 year, whichever is sooner. Every issuance, transfer, renewal or upgrade of a non-domiciled CLP or CDL must be done in person, not by mail or electronically (49 CFR 383.73(f)(2)(iv) and (f)(6)).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each driver and record the expiry date printed on their CDL.
- Add the driver's medical examiner's certificate as a separate document with its own expiry date, because a lapsed medical certification leads to a downgrade.
- If a driver holds a hazmat endorsement, track it as its own document too.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the due date itself.
- Assign a responsible person (for example your safety or compliance manager) so the right person gets the reminder.
- If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
- Ask the driver to upload the renewed license through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a CDL valid?
- No more than 8 years from the date of issuance under federal rules. Each State sets the actual period, so check the expiry date on the license (49 CFR 383.73(b)(9) and (d)(6)).
- Does the State check my medical certificate when I renew?
- Yes, for drivers who certify non-excepted interstate driving: the State must verify that the medical certification status on the driver record is "certified" before renewing (49 CFR 383.73(d)(8)).
- What happens if my medical certificate expires?
- The State updates your status to "not certified" within 10 calendar days, notifies you, and must complete a downgrade of the CLP or CDL within 60 days unless you are medically certified again or change your self-certification (49 CFR 383.73(o)(2) and (o)(4)).
- Is the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse checked at renewal?
- Yes. The State must request Clearinghouse information and must not renew the CDL or H endorsement if the driver is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle (49 CFR 383.73(d)(9)).
Sources
- eCFR: 49 CFR 383.73, State procedures
- eCFR: 49 CFR 383.71, driver application and certification procedures
- eCFR: 49 CFR 391.45, persons who must be medically examined and certified
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.
Made for commercial driver's licence (CDL) (US)
A ready template for commercial driver's licence (CDL) (US) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each commercial driver's licence (CDL) (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each commercial driver's licence (CDL) (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.