New Medical Certification Requirements - A Guide for CDL Holders Frequently Asked Questions
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The Medical Examiner's Certificate must be completed by the doctor/examiner and signed. As of June 23, 2025, the MVA will no longer accept any Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT card) directly from CDL holders. They will be transmitted electronically from the FMCSA National Registry to the MVA exclusively.
Please do not submit them to the MVA via any method as they cannot will not be accepted.
Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will no longer accept any Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT card) directly from CDL holders. They will be transmitted electronically from the FMCSA National Registry to the MVA exclusively.
CDL holders will still need to provide the MVA with a self-certification status relating to the type of commerce they engage in.
Med Cert (Medical Certification) documentation is proof that you are medically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle. Med Cert documentation always includes a valid, unexpired Medical Examiner's Certificate/DOT Physical Card, and if applicable, a federal Skills Performance Evaluation (SPE) or a federal or 
Maryland Waiver/Exemption, form DL-171.
Maryland CDL holders must designate the type of driving you are qualified to do. For instance, if you have a medical condition which requires an Intrastate Waiver, you need to certify that you will only be driving within the State of Maryland. If you have a CDL and a Med Cert without limitations, you would certify that you are physically qualified to drive Interstate (in any state). CDL holders are no longer required to submit a self-certification form when updating their medical certification. The self-certification will only be required when a customer is obtaining a new CDL’s, transferring a CDL, renewing a CDL, upgrading a license to a CDL, or changing their status from intrastate to interstate or vice versa. If a waiver/exemption is needed, it should be submitted along with the medical certification card.
Please click on the following link for a description of the self certification types.
You are responsible for ensuring you are physically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle. If your medical status changes, you should be reexamined by a physician to determine if it is still safe for you to drive. If any new limitations of driving result, you must visit an MVA office to obtain a corrected license, if permitted.
All CDL holders are responsible for ensuring they meet Federal and State medical certification requirements to operate a commercial motor vehicle. A valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate must be maintained to drive commercial motor vehicles.
As of June 23, 2025, a Medical Examiner’s Certificate is no longer required to be carried physically on your person. Anyone whose Med Cert is marked for having a Federal or Maryland state waiver must have on their person a copy of the variance documentation when on-duty.
It is illegal to drive a commercial motor vehicle in Maryland without proof that you are medically qualified. If you are no longer medically qualified to drive or if you elect not to be examined to determine if you are medically qualified, you must visit an MVA office immediately and downgrade your license to a noncommercial license.
Yes, if you voluntarily downgrade to a noncommercial license, you may reapply for another CDL within 1 year, if you have obtained a valid Med Cert. If your license is cancelled or downgraded for one (1) year or more, you may reapply for a license by taking all required knowledge and skills tests if you have acquired a valid Med Cert. Documented proof of age and identity, lawful status, SSN and Maryland residency is also required if you have been without a MD license for 1 year or more (or if you are returning to MD from another jurisdiction).
All Maryland license holders must provide the MVA with their current address. If you are a CDL holder and change your address, you must visit an MVA office or login to the myMVA e-services portal to immediately change your address to avoid missing communication regarding your driving privileges. Failure to keep MVA updated with your current address information may result in cancellation of your entire commercial and noncommercial driving privilege/license. You are required to obtain a corrected CDL within 30 days when an address or name change is made.
For additional information, please contact 1-410-768-7000.
